Description
Focuses primarily on creating Windows and Web interfaces, using the Framework class libraries, and writing VB.NET code; introduces ADO.NET.

Audience
A heavily-hands-on course for programmers with little or no previous Visual Basic exposure.

Prerequisites
Inexperienced (or non-) programmers should take the Introduction and Intermediate courses separately, preferably with VB work between.

Hardware and Software
Windows NT Server, 2000 or XP with Visual Studio.NET and IIS, for each student and the instructor, preferably with systems networked.

Format

• Presentation
• Hands-on
  

Objectives
After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Create a Windows Forms application, and use controls such as text controls, lists, menus and toolbars, buttons, checkboxes and radio buttons to build an effective user interface
• Create a simple Web Forms (ASP.NET) application, using basic input and output controls
• Use all major parts of the VB.NET language, including variables and constants, conditional statements, exception handling, and loops to support the user interface
• Create and use subroutines and functions, including required and optional arguments; and be familiar with the use of classes and inheritance
• Be familiar with the most important parts of the .NET Framework and its documentation
• Use all of Visual Studio.NET's debugging features, including Trace
• Develop simple database applications using ADO.NET, including bound controls
• Migrate VB6 applications to VB.NET
• Deploy VB.NET applications to desktops and/or servers

Overview

• Purpose And Makeup Of Visual Studio.NET
• VS.NET Languages: VB, Visual C++, C#, Others;
• Common Elements: The IDE, Common Language Runtime, Framework;
• Versions Of Windows Supported For Development And Execution
• Co-Existence And Interoperability With Prior Versions And Execution
  

The Process Of Developing A New Windows Application

• Starting A Solution And Project
• Forms And Other Files
• Using The Toolboxes To Put Controls And Forms
• Properties Of Controls
• Some Basic Coding
• Managing Multiple Forms
• Building And Debugging The Application

The Process Of Developing A New Web Application

• Starting The Project
• Similarities And Differences From Windows Projects
• How The Server Compiles, Renders Form Into Standard Html
  

Practice Using Controls

• Standard Controls (Text Boxes, Labels, Buttons)
• Controls Providing Choices (List Boxes, Menus, Check Boxes, Radio Buttons)
• Input Controls (Sliders, Calendars, Etc)
• Output Controls (Grids, Graphics, Multimedia)
• Non-Visual Controls (Timers, Etc)

The VB.NET Language

• Syntax rules
• Variables, arrays and constants
• Error-Trapping With Try/Catch
• Conditional Statements
• Looping " Creating And Using Subroutines And Functions
• Brief Overview Of Inheritance And Related Features
  

The Framework

• Organization Of The Class Libraries
• Importing Into A Project
• Referencing In Code
• VB6 Compatibility Objects

ADO.NET Overview

• Using The Dataform Wizard And Bound Controls;
• ADO.NET Objects, Some Coding Examples

Testing, Debugging And Distributing

• The Build Process
• Debugging Tools
• The Common Language Runtime And Its Advantages
• Side-By-Side Deployment