Intro to Visual Basic

Dear Reader,

I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the rationale behind this book

showing up on your shelf for free.

Quite some time ago, Sams Publishing determined that the next big thing

to hit the programmer/developer community would be Microsoft's Visual

Studio.NET and the .NET Framework. After discussions with many of you,

our authors and key Microsoft team members, Sams dedicated itself to a

strategy that would support your efforts to learn the .NET Framework as

efficiently and as quickly as possible.

A Programmer's Introduction to Visual Basic.NET is the perfect example

of how our strong relationship with Microsoft and our dedication to bringing

you authors who are already respected sources in the community successfully

blend and show that Sams Publishing is the source for .NET

learning.

Bringing you a Beta2 compliant book by May 2001 was not an easy task.

Sams called upon a respected author, Craig Utley, to take on this project.

Craig holds a unique place in the VB community where he has been developing

in VB since version 1.0. He brings years of experience as a trainer,

writer, and speaker to this project and gives you the solid reference you

need to make the transition from VB to VB.NET.

I hope this book gives you the tools you need to begin to learn VB.NET. I

invite your comments and ideas as I work to make Sams the publisher you

look to as your .NET learning resource.

On behalf of all of the Sams Publishing team,

Paul Boger

Publisher

Sams Publishing

E-mail Paul.Boger@samspublishing.com

Mail Paul Boger

Publisher

Sams Publishing

201 West 103rd Street

Visual Basic.NET

201 West 103rd Street

Indianapolis, IN 46290 USA

A Programmer's Introduction to

Craig Utley

A Programmer's Guide to Visual Basic.NET

Copyright © 2001 by Sams Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from

the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the

information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in

the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility

for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages

resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

International Standard Book Number: 0-672-32203-X

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001087650

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing: May 2001

04 03 02 01 4 3 2 1

Trademarks

All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service

marks have been appropriately capitalized. Sams Publishing cannot

attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book

should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service

mark.

Warning and Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate

as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided

is on an "as is" basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither

liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any

loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Shelley Kronzek

DEVELOPMENT EDITOR

Kevin Howard

MANAGING EDITOR

Charlotte Clapp

PROJECT EDITOR

Carol Bowers

COPY EDITOR

Michael Henry

INDEXER

Eric Schroeder

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Boyd Nolan

TEAM COORDINATOR

Pamalee Nelson

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Gary Adair

COVER DESIGNER

Gary Adair

PAGE LAYOUT

Gloria Schurick

Overview

Foreword viii

Introduction 1

1 Why Should You Move to Visual Basic.NET? 3

2