Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to the Win32 API - "Visual Basic Books"

Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to the Win32 API

Author: Dan Appleman
Publisher: Sams

Review


Every Visual Basic programmer who needs to write Windows applications that harness the power of the Win32api definitely needs to add this book to their Visual Basic book collection. In the past only C programmer's had the ability to access the Win32 api. Since the release of VB5 this luxury has been available to the VB programmer as well. This book is not for beginner Visual Basic programmers. It's for expierienced programmer's who want to tap into the power of the Win32 api. Although it is not necessary to make api calls in order to write windows applications in Visual Basic, there are certain things that are done much more easily if not only through win32 api calls.
This book covers almost every existing API function that is available to the Visual Basic programmer. Each API function has been very clearly and carefully documented. It is has recieved rave reviews in the Visual Basic community and is by far the leading VB API book on the market. A definite must for the experienced programmers.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Windows API

Chapter 1: Dlls and APIs
Chapter 2: Getting a handle on Windows
Chapter 3: The Visual Basic Windows Interface
Chapter 4: Real World API Programming

Part 2: Windows API Functions

Chapter 5: Windows Control and Information Functions
Chapter 6: Hardware and System Functions
Chapter 7: Device Contexts
Chapter 8: Drawing Functions
Chapter 9: Bitmaps, Icons, and Raster Operations
Chapter 10: Working with Menus
Chapter 11: Text and Fonts
Chapter 12: Printing
Chapter 13: File Operations
Chapter 14: Processes and Threads
Chapter 15: Memory, Strings, Structures, and Resources

Part 3: Windows Messages

Chapter 16: General Windows Messages
Chapter 17: Edit Control Messages
Chapter 18: List Box, Combo Box, and Button Messages

Part 4: Real World API Programming Revisited

Chapter 19: Using API calls from VB-A trade-off in software design
Chapter 20: Building an API Class Library

MCSD Training Guide - Visual Basic 6 Exams - "Visual Basic Books"

MCSD Training Guide - Visual Basic 6 Exams

Author: Howard Hawhee, MCP
Publisher: New Riders

Review


Due to popular demand, a review of a Microsoft Visual Basic 6 certification book has been added to the site. More and more companies are seeking Microsoft Certified Professionals. Programmers with an "MCP" title definitely have an edge over those who don't.
Generaly, most MCSD books are inadequate in preparing developers to pass the Microsoft certification exams. They don't provide enough exam type questions/examples, and also fall short in covering all the material needed to pass the exams. Fortunately, New Riders Publishing has published "MCSD Training Guide - Visual Basic 6 Exams". This book covers exams 70-175 and 70-176. This is the finest Visual Basic certification book presently out there. It is the preferred VB certification book in the Visual Basic community and has helped more VB developers acquire their MCSD certification than any other book in its class.
The book is very easy to read and provides clear, accurate and thorough information. It provides the reader with numerous exam tips, study strategies, step by step exercises, case studies, exam questions and practice exams. Also, the CD ROM which is included with the book contains the New Riders "Top Score" software suite. This software package is designed to simulate the exam situation you'll encounter at the testing center.
If you want to adequately prepare yourself for the VB MCSD exams, then this is the book you need.

Table of Contents

Part I: Visual Basic 6 Exam Concepts

1 Developing the Conceptual and Logical Design and Deriving the Physical Design
2 Establishing the Development Environment
3 Implementing Navigational Design
4 Creating Data Input Forms and Dialog Boxes
5 Writing Code that Validates User Input
6 Writing Code that Processes Data Entered on a Form
7 Implementing Online User Assistance in a Distributed Application
8 Creating Data Services: Part I
9 Creating Data Services: Part II
10 Instantiating and Invoking a COM Component
11 Implementing Error-Handling Features in an Application
12 Creating a COM Component that Implements Business Rules or Logic
13 Creating ActiveX Controls
14 Creating an ActiveX Document
15 Understanding the MTS Development
16 Developing MTS Applications
17 Internet Programming with IIS/WebClass and DHTML Applications
18 Using VB's Debug/Watch Facilities
19 Implementing Project Groups to Support the Development and Debugging Process
20 Compiling a VB Application
21 Using the Package and Deployment Wizard to Create a Setup Program

Part II: Final Review

Study and Exam Prep Tips
Practice Exams

Part III Appendices

Database Access With Visual Basic 6 - "Visual Basic Books"

Database Access With Visual Basic 6

Author: Jeffrey P. McManus
Publisher: Sams

Review


This is an extraordinary book. The presentation is uncommonly clear and concise. I've been doing database development with VB for a number of years and I learned something in every single chapter. The presentation on queries is the best I've ever seen. It covered what I know and gave me the introduction I needed to SQL Server. The author seems to know just when to present more detail. The examples are clear. The style is entertaining without being "cute". If you do database development with VB, you should read this book!

Table of Contents

1. Database Basics
2. Queries
3. Data Access Objects
4. Reporting & Exploring Data
5. Getting Started with SQL Server
6. ODBC &RDO
7. Data Access With Classes
8. Remote Data Access
9. Multiplier Databases
10. ActiveX Data Objects
11. Internet Database Applications
12. User Interface Controls
13. Using the DBGrid & Apextrue DBGrid Control
14. Using the MSFlex Grid, Hierarchial Flex Grid & Videosoft VSFlex Controls
15. Using Sheridan Data Widgets

Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up - "Visual Basic Books"

Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up

Author: Gary Cornell
Publisher: Osborne Mcgraw Hill

Review


wish this book had come to my attention much sooner so that I could have reviewed it on my web site. I did have high hopes before reading this book because I purchased "Core Visual Basic 5" by Gary Cornell and absolutely loved it. Gary Cornell is an award winning author. He won the Visual Basic Programmer's Journal Reader's Choice Award in 1996.

This huge 900 page book which is geared towards the beginner to intermediate, covers everything you need to know to program in Visual Basic 6. You will learn with the help of tons of sample code, object oriented programming, database programming, how to create sophisticated event-driven programs, VBScript, graphics programming, ActiveX, and much more.

Gary Cornell is a professional programmer and a professor at the University of Connecticut. His teaching experience becomes very apparent when you read this book. All the material is presented in a very clear and effective manner which makes it easy for the reader to quickly absorb it.


Table of Contents

Part I
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 The Visual Basic Environment and Help System
Chapter 3 Customizing a Form and Writing Simple Programs
Chapter 4 First Steps in Building the User Interface
Chapter 5 First Steps in Programming
Chapter 6 Displaying Information
Chapter 7 Controlling Program Flow
Chapter 8 Built-In Functions
Chapter 9 Writing Your Own Functions and Procedures
Chapter 10 Organizing Information Via Code
Chapter 11 Organizing Information Via Controls
Chapter 12 Building Larger Projects
Chapter 13 VB Objects and an Intoduction to Object-Oriented Programming
Chapter 14 Finishing the Interface
Chapter 15 Tools and Techniques for Testing, Debugging, and Optimization
Chapter 16 An Introduction to Graphics
Chapter 17 Monitoring Mouse Activity
Chapter 18 Basic File Handling
Chapter 19 File System Controls and File System Objects
Chapter 20 Communicating with other Windows Applications
Chapter 21 Recursion
Chapter 22 A Survey of Database Development Using Visual Basic
Chapter 23 Building Your Own ActiveX Controls
Chapter 24 Visual Basic and the Internet: Building a Special Purpose Browser
Chapter 25 Visual Basic and the Internet: VBScript and Dynamic HTML
Chapter 26 Distributing Your Application: The Package and Deployment Wizard

Microsoft Visual Basic 6 Professional (step by step) - "Visual Basic Books"

Microsoft Visual Basic 6 Professional (step by step)

Author: Michael Halvorson
Publisher: Microsoft Press

Review


I found this to be an excellent book for beginners to visual basic. As the title states, this book takes you "step by step" through all aspects of Visual Basic 6.0. It assumes no prior programming experience with Visual Basic. The book starts off slowly by showing the reader how to create their first simple Visual Basic program. This will help you to quickly become familiar with the Visual Basic environment. The book is well organized and divided into various parts, such as, creating the user interface, database programming, internet programming, etc. All parts are listed below in the table of contents. Each of these parts is clearly presented with sample code and screen shots. I highly recommend this book to any beginner to Visual Basic.

Table of Contents

Pt. 1. Getting Started with Visual Basic
1. Opening and Running a Visual Basic Program
2. Writing Your First Program
3. Working with Controls
4. Working with Menus and Dialog Boxes

Pt. 2. Programming Fundamentals

5. Visual Basic Variables and Operators 6. Using Decision Structures
7. Using Loops and Timers

Pt. 3. Creating the Perfect User Interface

8. Working with Forms, Printers, and Error Handlers
9. Adding Artwork and Special Effects

Pt. 4. Managing Corporate Data

10. Using Modules and Procedures
11. Working with Collections and Arrays
12. Exploring Text Files and String Processing
13. Managing Access Databases
14. Connecting to Microsoft Office

Pt. 5. Professional Edition Tools and Techniques

15. Word Processing with the Rich Textbox Control
16. Displaying Progress and Status Information
17. Integrating Music and Video with the Multimedia MCI Control
18. Beyond Visual Basic: Using the Windows API

Pt. 6. Internet Programming Fundamentals

19. Downloading Files with the Internet Transfer Control
20. Displaying HTML Documents with Internet Explorer
21. Designing Dynamic HTML Pages for the Web
22. Adding Toolbox Elements and ActiveX Controls to DHTML Pages

Pt. 7. Advanced Database Programming

23. Managing Data with the FlexGrid Control
24. Exploring ActiveX Data Objects (ADO)

Programming Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 - "Visual Basic Books"

Programming Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0

Author: Francesco Balena
Publisher: Microsoft Press

Review


This book gives the reader the most comprehensive look at Visual Basic 6 that I have seen. Of all the VB books which I have reviewed this is the only one which I can truly recommend to Visual Basic programmers of all levels, from beginners to experienced. You may be asking yourself how one book can suit the needs of such a wide range of Visual Basic programmers. Part 1 of the book, which consists of the first eight chapters, covers all of the basics in an extremely clear and comprehensive fashion. This allows beginners to VB to grasp a solid understanding of the basic foundations of VB6 before exploring the more advanced features of the language in later chapters. Those who have some VB experience and feel they don't need to read the first eight chapters can simply skim through them and read the remaining chapters 9-20 which offer some of the best in-depth comprehensive coverage of advanced VB6 topics that I have seen in any Visual Basic 6 book.

The book covers all of the new features to VB6, such as, ADO, DHTML, and WebClasses, just to mention a few. It contains an excellent tutorial on object-oriented programming, an in-depth reference to VB and the VBA language, a close look at ADO technology, internet programming, a transition guide for VB5 developers, and finally a digest of advanced programming techniques. The CD-ROM which is included with the book contains 150 sample projects and 100 class modules, a library of over 170 reusable routines for strings, math, array, date/time, controls, file, database, registry, mouse, and keyboard operations.

This is one book which every VB6 programmer no matter what level they are at, needs to have by their side.

Table of Contents

Part 1: The Basics

Chapter 1 First Steps with Microsoft Visual Basic 6
Chapter 2 Introduction to Forms
Chapter 3 Intrinsic Controls
Chapter 4 Variables and Procedures
Chapter 5 The Visual Basic for Applications and Visual Basic Libraries
Chapter 6 Classes and Objects
Chapter 7 Events, Polymorphism, and Inheritance
Chapter 8 Databases

Part 2: The User Interface

Chapter 9 Advanced Forms and Dialogs
Chapter 10 Windows Common Controls: Part 1
Chapter 11 Windows Common Controls: Part 2
Chapter 12 Other ActiveX Controls

Part 3: Database Programming

Chapter 13 The ADO Object Model
Chapter 14 ADO at Work
Chapter 15 Tables and Reports

Part 4: ActiveX Programming

Chapter 16 ActiveX Components
Chapter 17 ActiveX Controls
Chapter 18 ADO Components

Part 5: Internet Programming

Chapter 19 Dynamic HTML Applications
Chapter 20 Internet Information Server Applications
Appendix Windows API Functions

Murach's Beginning Visual Basic .NET - "Visual Basic Books"

Murach's Beginning Visual Basic .NET

Author: Anne Prince
Publisher: Murach

Review


I had reviewed this book's predecessor, "Murach's Visual Basic 6", and therefore had high hopes for the new .NET version. I was once again very impressed with Murach.

The book is aimed at developers with no previous programming experience with Visual Basic but who have some prior programming experience in some other programming language.

The book is divided into five sections. The first section consists of seven chapters that provide you with a solid foundation that allows you to quickly begin writing your own applications. Section two teaches how to build professional graphical user interfaces. Section three covers the .NET classes and object oriented programming. The fourth section covers ADO.NET, the latest Microsoft data access technology. You will learn how to develop real world database applications. In the final section you will learn how to build web applications using ASP.NET and XML Web Services.

The book provides many real world sample applications and end of chapter exercises which allow the reader to better absorb and understand all of the concepts being presented. One great aspect of the book is the paired pages format. With this format, all the code, diagrams, and figures are on the right hand page, while the text is on the left hand page. With this method there is no need to constantly be flipping pages.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to get a quick start on this latest .NET version of Visual Basic.


Table of Contents

SECTION 1 THE ESSENCE OF VISUAL BASIC.NET PROGRAMMING
Chapter 1 How to get started with Visual Basic .NET
Chapter 2 How to develop a Windows Forms application
Chapter 3 Visual Basic language essentials (part 1)
Chapter 4 Visual Basic language essentials (part 2)
Chapter 5 Visual Basic language essentials (part 3)
Chapter 6 How to develop object-oriented applications
Chapter 7 How to test and debug an application

SECTION 2 HOW TO WORK WITH WINDOWS FORMS AND CONTROLS
Chapter 8 How to work with Windows controls
Chapter 9 How to develop a multi-form application
Chapter 10 How to enhance the user interface

SECTION 3 MORE LANGUAGE ESSENTIALS
Chapter 11 How to work with dates and strings
Chapter 12 How to work with arrays and collections
Chapter 13 How to work with structures and files
Chapter 14 How to use XML with files
Chapter 15 More skills for object-oriented programming

SECTION 4 DATABASE PROGRAMMING ESSENTIALS
Chapter 16 An introduction to database programming
Chapter 17 How to develop a database application with ADO.NET
Chapter 18 How to work with bound controls and parameterized queries

SECTION 5 WEB PROGRAMMING ESSENTIALS
Chapter 19 How to develop a Web Forms application
Chapter 20 How to create and use web services

APPENDIXES
APPENDIX A How to install and use the software and files for this book
APPENDIX B Coding and syntax conventions

Visual Basic .NET How to Program - "Visual Basic Books"

Visual Basic .NET How to Program

Authors: Deitel & Deitel
Publisher: Prentice Hall

Review


This book provides exhaustive coverage of everything you need to know in order to master the latest .NET version of Visual Basic. The book is designed for readers of all levels from experienced programmers to those with little or no programming experience. It does so by providing beginners with basic underlying good programming skills, while at the same time offering experinced developers detailed and exhaustive coverage of the Visual Basic .NET language.

By simply flipping through the pages of this book, it becomes evident that an enormous amount of time and effort went into it. It offers the same high quality and detailed coverage that you would find in most college level academic books. The book's 1500 plus pages include over 2100 lines of carefully commented code, hundreds of programs with screens shots, and over 400 programming tips. All of the code is presented in full color as it would appear on a color monitor. Each chapter provides extensive self-review exercises which are designed to build confidence with the new material.

More experienced Visual Basic developers can use the book to quickly master the new powerful features of .NET, such as, Web Services and ASP.NET, Web Forms, Object-Oriented Programming, XML, Multithreading, and ADO.NET.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to master this latest version of Visual Basic.


Table of Contents

1 Introduction to Computers, Internet and Visual Basic .NET 1
2 Introduction to the Visual Studio .NET IDE
3 Introduction to Visual Basic Programming
4 Control Structures: Part 1
5 Control Structures: Part 2
6 Procedures
7 Arrays
8 Object-Based Programming
9 Object-Oriented Programming: Inheritance
10 Object-Oriented Programming: Polymorphism
11 Exception Handling
12 Graphical User Interface Concepts: Part 1
13 Graphical User Interface Concepts: Part 2
14 Multithreading
15 Strings, Characters and Regular Expressions
16 Graphics and Multimedia
17 Files and Streams
18 Extensible Markup Language (XML)
19 Database, SQL and ADO .NET
20 ASP .NET, Web Forms and Web Controls
21 ASP .NET and Web Services
22 Networking: Streams-Based Sockets and Datagrams
23 Data Structures and Collections
24 Accessibility

Appendix
A Operator Precedence Chart
B Number Systems (on CD)
C Career Opportunities (on CD)
D Visual Studio .NET Debugger
E ASCII Character Set
F Unicode (on CD)
G COM Integration (on CD)
H Introduction to HyperText Markup Language 4: Part 1 (on CD)
I Introduction to HyperText Markup Language 4: Part 2 (on CD)
J Introduction to XHTML: Part 1 (on CD)
K Introduction to XHTML: Part 2 (on CD)
L HTML/XHTML Special Characters
M HTML/XHTML Colors
N Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET
Bibliography

Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Step by Step - "Visual Basic Books"

Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Step by Step

Author: Michael Halvorson
Publisher: Microsoft Press

Review


I found this to be an excellent book for beginners to Visual Basic. As the title states, this book takes you "step by step" through all aspects of Visual Basic .NET. It assumes no prior programming experience with Visual Basic. The book was designed with a variety of skill levels in mind so that new programmers can learn software development fundamentals using real world applications and experienced Visual Basic programmers can quickly master the essential tools and programming techniques offered in the new Visual Basic .NET version.

The book starts off slowly by showing the reader how to create their first simple Visual Basic .NET program. This helps to build confidence and quickly familiarize the reader with the Visual Basic environment. The book is well organized and divided into various parts, such as, creating the user interface, database programming, internet programming, object oriented programming, and more. Each of these parts is clearly presented with plenty of sample code and screen shots.

I highly recommend this book to all beginners to Visual Basic.


Table of Contents

Part. 1 Getting Started with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET
Ch. 1 Opening and Running a Visual Basic .NET Program
Ch. 2 Writing Your First Program
Ch. 3 Working with Toolbox Controls Ch. 4 Working with Menus and Dialog Boxes

Part. 2 Programming Fundamentals

Ch. 5 Visual Basic .NET Variables and Operators
Ch. 6 Using Decision Structures
Ch. 7 Using Loops and Timers
Ch. 8 Debugging Visual Basic .NET Programs
Ch. 9 Trapping Errors Using Structured Error Handling

Part. 3 Managing Corporate Data

Ch. 10 Using Modules and Procedures
Ch. 11 Using Arrays and Collections to Manage Data
Ch. 12 Exploring Text Files and String Processing
Ch. 13 Automating Microsoft Office Applications and Managing Processes
Ch. 14 Deploying Visual Basic .NET Applications

Part. 4 Advanced User Interface Design

Ch. 15 Managing Windows Forms
Ch. 16 Adding Graphics and Animation Effects
Ch. 17 Inheriting Forms and Creating Base Classes
Ch. 18 Working with Printers

Part. 5 Database Programming

Ch. 19 Getting Started with ADO.NET
Ch. 20 Data Presentation Using the DataGrid Control

Part. 6 Internet Programming

Ch. 21 Displaying HTML Documents Using Internet Explorer
Ch. 22 Using Web Forms to Build Interactive Web Applications Part. 7 Appendixes

App. A Upgrading Visual Basic 6 Programs to Visual Basic .NET
App. B Where to Go for More Information

Professional VB.NET - "Visual Basic Books"

Professional VB.NET

Authors: Bill Evjen et all
Publisher: Wrox Press

Review


This book is for experienced developers who need to make the transition to VB.NET. It will also help programmers with previous knowledge of VB.NET who want to move up to the professional level.

The book begins with an introduction to the .NET Framework and common language RunTime(CLR). The CLR is responsible for managing the execution of code compiled for the .NET platform. The next few chapters focus on object oriented programming and how to derive classes from base classes using inheritance. Chapter 9 gives a detailed discussion on how error handling works in VB.NET by discussing the CLR exception handler in detail and the new Try...Catch...Finally structure. An entire chapter is devoted to multi-threading. You will learn how threads can be created, and the differences between multitasking and multi-threading. Chapter 16 discusses COM and .NET component interoperability, and the tools provided to help link the two technologies together. Chapter 18 gives detailed coverage of the ADO.NET data access technology. You will learn how to build flexible, fast, and scalable data access objects and applications.

The final chapters discuss building web applications with web forms, creating custom controls for Windows Forms and Web Forms, and finally, creating and consuming Web Services.

If you're an experienced VB developer and would like to make the transition to VB.NET, then this book is a must.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Microsoft .NET?
Chapter 2: Introducing VB.NET and VS.NET
Chapter 3: The Common Language Runtime
Chapter 4: Variables and Types
Chapter 5: Object Syntax Introduction
Chapter 6: Inheritance and Interfaces
Chapter 7: Applying Objects and Components
Chapter 8: Namespaces
Chapter 9: Error Handling
Chapter 10: Using XML in VB.NET
Chapter 11: Data Access with ADO.NET
Chapter 12: Windows Forms
Chapter 13: Creating Windows Controls
Chapter 14: Web Forms
Chapter 15: Creating Web Controls
Chapter 16: Data Binding
Chapter 17: Working with Classic COM and Interfaces
Chapter 18: Component Services
Chapter 19: Threading
Chapter 20: Remoting
Chapter 21: Windows Services
Chapter 22: Web Services
Chapter 23: VB.NET and the Internet
Chapter 24: Security in the .NET Framework
Chapter 25: Assemblies and Deployment
Appendix A: Using the Visual Basic Compatibility Library

Programming VB.NET - "Visual Basic Books"

Programming VB.NET

Authors: Gary Cornell, Jonathan Morrison
Publisher: Apress

Review


Programming VB.NET is written by Gary Cornell. A well known and award winning Visual Basic author who has written many widely acclaimed programming books.

The book is primarily designed for experienced Visual Basic developers making the transition to VB.NET. However, it can also be appreciated by other experienced programmers regardless of their programming background.

The book begins with an introduction to the differences between VB.NET and VB. The next chapter introduces you to the new Visual Studio .NET integrated development environment (IDE). You will get a tour of the main windows, and learn how to compile and debug your VB.NET applications. Chapter three teaches the VB.NET syntax. You will learn the VB.NET expressions, operators, and program control flow. The next couple of chapters form the core of the book. These chapters cover object oriented programming and inheritance. VB.NET is the first truly object oriented programming version of VB, and a solid understanding of these new features is essential in taking full advantage of VB.NET's new powers.

The next few chapters go on the cover important topics such as, event handling, error handling, building user interfaces, input/output streams, and multithreading. The final two chapters give a brief introduction to database access with VB.NET using ADO.NET, and a brief overview of ASP.NET.

The book provides clear and complete coverage of all topics. It includes many real world code examples which help the reader to better understand all the concepts presented.

If you're an experienced VB developer and want to make the transition to VB.NET, then "Programming VB.NET" is a definite must have.


Table of Contents

Ch. 1 Introduction
Ch. 2 The VB .NET IDE: Visual Studio .NET
Ch. 3 Expressions, Operators, and Control Flow
Ch. 4 Classes and Objects (with a Short Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming)
Ch. 5 Inheritance and Interfaces
Ch. 6 Event Handling and Delegates
Ch. 7 Error Handling the VB .NET Way: Living with Exceptions
Ch. 8 Windows Forms, Drawing, and Printing
Ch. 9 Input/Output
Ch. 10 Multithreading
Ch. 11 A Brief Introduction to Database Access with VB .NET
Ch. 12 A Brief Overview of ASP .NET
Ch. 13 .NET Assemblies, Deployment, and COM Interop

Beginning VB.NET (2nd Edition) - "Visual Basic Books"

Beginning VB.NET (2nd Edition)

by Richard Blair et all
Publisher: Wrox Press

Review



This book is for beginner programmers who have chosen Visual Basic .NET as their first programming language. It is also intended for programmers experienced in another programming language, but who are new to Windows programming.

The book begins with step by step instructions on how to install Visual Basic .NET. Next, there is a brief introduction on how to write Visual Basic .NET code, and a description of what the .NET framework is. The next chapter teaches how to control the flow of applications using loops and branching structures. You will then learn how to create windows, screens, and how to add menus to your applications.

Visual Basic .NET is the first version of Visual Basic to provide full object oriented capabilities, making it among the most powerful windows development tools. The book teaches you what object oriented programming is and how to use it in your applications.

Chapter 15 and 16 introduce database access with Visual Basic .NET. You will learn what a database is, how to write simple SQL statements, and how to use ADO.NET to access Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Access databases. The final three chapters show how to create applications for the web using web forms, XML, and web services such as SOAP, "Simple Object Access Protocol".

Like all Wrox Press beginner programming books, this book is written in a clear and easy to learn manner. Each chapter contains plenty of sample code examples and an end of chapter test.

If you are new to programming, or new to Windows programming, "Beginning Visual Basic .NET" is an excellent first step in aquiring the knowledge needed to develop Windows applications.


Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Welcome to Visual Basic .NET
Chapter 2: Writing Software
Chapter 3: Controlling the Flow
Chapter 4: Building Objects
Chapter 5: The Microsoft .NET Framework
Chapter 6: Working with Data Structures
Chapter 7: Forms and Common Controls
Chapter 8: Dialogs
Chapter 9: Creating Menus
Chapter 10: Advanced Object-Oriented Techniques
Chapter 11: Debugging and Error Handling
Chapter 12: Graphics
Chapter 13: Components
Chapter 14: Creating Your Own Custom Controls
Chapter 15: Accessing Databases from Visual Basic .NET
Chapter 16: Programming SQL Server with ADO.NET
Chapter 17: Web Forms
Chapter 18: Visual Basic .NET and XML
Chapter 19: Web Services
Appendix A: Where to Now?

Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Deluxe Learning Edition - "Visual Basic Books"

Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Deluxe Learning Edition

Michael Halvorson
Publisher: Microsoft Press

Review


Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Deluxe Learning Edition provides everything you need to start developing powerful applications for the new .NET platform.

Although finding and reading a good Visual Basic book is an excellent start to ones Visual Basic career, I cannot over emphasize how important it is to get ones hands on a copy of the Visual Basic software/compiler. With both the book and Visual Basic .NET software you can quickly become comfortable with the Visual Basic Development Environment by typing in some of the source code in the book and test running it for yourself. Eventually, when you feel comfortable with your knowledge of Visual Basic you can begin writing and running your own programs. Visual Basic .NET Deluxe Learning Edition will allow you to do just that.

This book/software package comes with an excellent Visual Basic .NET book from Microsoft Press. The book is titled, "Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Step by Step". This is an excellent beginner VB.NET book which will allow you to quickly begin creating professional Visual Basic applications for the new Microsoft .NET platform. Second, and most importantly, a copy of the Visual Basic .NET Standard Edition software/compiler on CD-ROM is included. As I mentioned above, a copy of the software/compiler is essential to mastering any programming language. The only way to truly master Visual Basic .NET is by eventually writing and testing your own applications.

Programming Microsoft Visual Basic .NET - "Visual Basic Books"

Programming Microsoft Visual Basic .NET

Author: Francesco Balena

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Review



Programming Visual Basic .NET by Francesco Balena builds on the success of the author's previous programming book for Visual Basic 6. This huge 1600 page book provides the most complete coverage of Visual Basic .NET that I have seen.

This book isn't for beginner programmers who wish to learn Visual Basic .NET. It is aimed at experienced Visual Basic 6 developers who want to take full advantage of the new .NET Framework.

The book provides complete coverage of advanced new object-oriented features, the common language runtime, multithreaded programs, Windows Forms, GDI+ graphic programming, Windows Services, ADO.NET classes for databases, ASP.NET Web Forms, and XML Web Services. Also included are many advanced optimization techniques and tips for leveraging the power of the Visual Studio .NET environment. For those who love code examples, you won't be disappointed. The book is filled with short code examples that illustarte how each specific .NET feature works.

The software that accompanies the book includes a CD containing the project source code which demonstartes the concepts discussed in each chapter. Also available on the CD is the previous edition of this book in electronic form. In addition, the book includes a sixty day trial version of Visual Studio .NET on DVD.

Programming Visual Basic .NET has received alot of well deserved praise from the Visual Basic community. I found the book to be very thorough, concise, and well written. This is one book that all experienced Visual Basic developers must have by their side.


You can check out some other reviews at Amazon.com


Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I - The Basics

1 Getting Started with Visual Basic .NET
2 Modules and Variables
3 Control Flow and Error Handling

Part II - Object-Oriented Programming

4 Class Fundamentals
5 Inheritance
6 Interfaces and Delegates
7 Attributes

Part III - Programming the .NET Framework

8 .NET Framework Basic Types
9 Arrays, Lists, and Collections
10 Files, Directories, and Streams
11 Object Serialization
12 Regular Expressions
13 Threading
14 Assemblies and AppDomains
15 Reflection

Part IV - Win32 Applications

16 Windows Forms Applications
17 Controls
18 GDI+
19 Advanced Win32 Techniques

Part V - Database Applications

20 ADO.NET in Connected Mode
21 ADO.NET in Disconnected Mode
22 XML and ADO.NET

Part VI - Internet Applications

23 Web Forms and Controls
24 ASP.NET Applications
25 User Controls and Custom Controls
26 XML Web Services