An Overview of the Visual Basic.NET Language
Michael McMillan · Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2004
This chapter presents an overview of the syntax and primary constructs of the Visual Basic.NET (VB.NET) language for programmers unfamiliar with VB.NET. This is not a tutorial chapter, however, so if you are new to programming you should study another text on VB.NET before continuing with this book. If, though, you are coming to VB.NET from some other language, such as C++ or Java or even Visual Basic 6, you should read through this chapter to familiarize yourself with the language. NET PROGRAMS There are two ways to build programs in VB.NET. One is to use the Visual Studio.NET Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The other is to use the command-line compiler packaged as part of the.NET Framework Software Development Kit (SDK). In this section we'll discuss developing programs with the command-line compiler, since this software is free and can run on any of the modern Windows operating sysems (Windows 98 and beyond). VB.NET Program Types With VB.NET, you can write many different kinds of programs. A VB.NET program that makes use of a graphical user interface (GUI) is a Windows application. A VB.NET program that uses the command-prompt console for input and output is called a Console application. You can also write Internet applications, Windows Services applications, and other types of applications.