Introduction to Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Programming
This course provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop applications in Microsoft VB.NET for the .NET platform. We focus on user interfaces, program structure, language syntax, and implementation details. This is the first course in the VB.NET series and serves as the entry point for other .NET courses.
In order to play this video, you will need to install Adobe Flash player for your browser.
Audience
This course is intended for both novice and experienced programmers who have a minimum of three months programming experience and have basic Microsoft Windows navigation skills.
At Course Completion
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Create a simple Visual Basic .NET-based application based on the Windows Application template.
Use forms and controls to create a user interface.
Create and use variables and arrays.
Create and use Sub, Function, and Property procedures.
Implement decision structures and loops by using conditional expressions.
Resolve syntax, run-time, and logic errors by using the debugger and structured exception handling.
Validate user input for fields, controls, and forms.
Enhance the user interface by adding menus, status bars, and toolbars.
Create a simple Visual Basic .NET-based Web Forms application that uses an XML Web Service.
Apply object-oriented programming techniques to create classes, add methods, and add properties.
Access and manipulate data in a Microsoft Access database by using ADO.NET.
Build, package, and deploy an application.
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:
Windows navigation skills.
Experience (at least 3 months) with developing applications in either a graphical or non-graphical environment.
-Or-
Understanding of the basics of structured programming, including concepts such as flow control, variables and parameters, and function calls.
Course Outline
Module 1: Getting Started
This module introduces Visual Basic .NET and explains how it fits into the .NET platform. It explains how to use the programming tools in Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET and provides enough practice so that students can create their first application in Visual Basic .NET.
Basic .NET Concepts
Exploring the Development Environment
Creating a Visual Basic .NET Project
Module 2: Working with Forms and Controls
This module explains fundamental programming concepts, including event-driven programming, classes, objects, properties, methods, and events. This module also explains how to use forms and controls to create a user interface. This includes the following: how to create a form, set properties, call methods, and write code for events; how to add controls to a form; how to manage multiple forms; how to use message boxes; how to use naming conventions; and how to format and document code.
Understanding Programming Concepts
Working with Windows Forms
Working with Controls
Styling Your Code
Module 3: Using Variables and Arrays
This module explains how to name, declare, assign values to, and use variables and constants. It explains how to declare variables with different levels of scope, how to create your own data structures, and how to convert variable values from one data type to another. It also describes how to store data in an array.
Introduction to Data Types
Using Variables
Variable Scope
Creating and Using Structures
Converting Data Types
Storing Data in Arrays
Module 4: Working with Procedures
This module describes how to create and use Sub and Function procedures, including predefined functions, and how to structure code for increased reusability.
Creating Procedures
Using Procedures
Using Predefined Functions
Module 5: Decision Structures and Loops
This module explains how to implement decision structures and loop structures to control program output and execution.
Using Conditional Expressions
Using Decision Structures
Using Conditional Loop Structures
Module 6: Handling Errors and Exceptions
This module explains types of errors that can occur in a program and explains how to use the debugging tools provided with Visual Basic .NET to help diagnose and correct the errors. These tools include the Visual Studio .NET debugger, debugging windows, and structured exception handling.
Types of Errors
Using the Debugger
Handling Exceptions
Module 7: Validating User Input
This module explains how to validate user input at both the field level and the form level. It describes how to handle invalid input by providing error messages and guiding users through the process of finding and fixing errors. It describes how to use control properties and methods to restrict and validate data entry.
Restricting User Input
Validating Field Data
Validating Form Data
Module 8: Enhancing the User Interface
This module explains how to create menus, status bars, and toolbars to enhance the usability of an application.
Creating Menus
Creating Status Bars
Creating Toolbars
Module 9: Web Forms and XML Web Services
This module explains how to create a Web Form application and how to invoke a simple XML Web service.
Working with Web Forms
Using XML Web Services
Module 10: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming Concepts
This module explains how to create and use classes. The module explains the concepts of abstraction, encapsulation, instantiation, initialization, constructors, and destructors. This module also describes inheritance, polymorphism, and namespaces.
Basic Concepts
Working with Classes
Using Shared Members
Polymorphism, Inheritance, and Namespaces
Module 11: Using ADO.NET
This module explains how to use Microsoft ADO.NET with a Windows Form application to create, read, update, and delete records in Access and Microsoft SQL Server™ databases.
Database Concepts
Overview of ADO.NET
Working with Data
Module 12: Working with Forms and Controls
This module explains various deployment options available in Visual Basic .NET. It also explains how to deploy Windows-based applications.
Assembly Overview
Choosing a Deployment Option
Deploying Windows-based Applications