Understanding Visual Basic .NET -- Programming in the .NET Framework -- The .NET Languages -- Using a Text Editor to Create VB .NET Programs -- Visual Studio .NET Requirements -- Introducing Projects, Forms, and Buttons -- Understanding Projects and Solutions -- For the Very First Time... -- Configuring Your Project and Environment -- Adding a Windows Form -- Running a Project -- Adding Controls -- Introducing Event Handlers -- Building a User Interface -- Displaying Message Boxes -- Adding Form Controls -- Using If Statements -- Wiring the Form -- Working with Windows Form Properties -- Using the Form Properties -- Setting the Form Style -- Setting the Default Button -- Setting Background and Foreground Colors -- Setting the Font -- Assigning Icons -- Setting the Form's Size and Position -- Specifying the Text Property -- Controlling Form Appearance and Behavior -- Setting Dynamic Properties -- Events and the Life Cycle of Forms -- Understanding Event-Driven Programming -- Handling Events -- Monitoring Events -- Initializing Forms in the Load Event -- Understanding Event Syntax -- Don't Get Caught in an Event Loop -- Assigning Multiple Events to One Event Handler -- Working with Form Methods and Modules -- Using Form Methods -- Using Code Modules -- Working with Forms -- Working with the Graphics Object -- Creating MDI Applications -- Working with Windows Forms Controls -- Working with the Toolbox -- Adding PictureBox Controls -- Adding CheckBox Controls -- Working with Groups of Controls -- Working with ComboBoxes, ListBoxes, and CheckedListBoxes -- Working with the ErrorProvider -- Adding StatusBars, ToolBars, ToolTips, and Tabbed Dialogs -- Working with StatusBars -- Working with ToolBars -- Adding ToolTips -- Adding Tabbed Pages -- Working with Common Dialogs -- Using Common Dialog Controls -- Working with the ColorDialog Control -- Working with the FontDialog Control -- Using the SaveFileDialog and OpenFileDialog Controls -- Working with Files -- Using Timers, EventLogs, and ServiceControllers -- Working with the Timer Component -- Using the Server Explorer -- Writing to an Event Log -- Working with a ServiceController -- Creating Menus -- Using the MainMenu Control -- Wiring an MDI Menu -- Adding Context Menus -- Working with Checked Menu Items -- Manipulating Menus in Code -- Looking at the Code Behind the Menus -- Creating Menus Interactively -- Printing from an Application -- Using Printing Components and Controls -- Printing a Page -- Building a Simple Printing Demo -- Errors, Exceptions, and Debugging -- Understanding Errors and Exceptions -- A Blast from the Past: On Error GoTo -- Understanding Structured Exception Handling -- Testing and Debugging -- Using the Object Browser -- Opening the Object Browser -- Using the Object Browser Interface -- Exploring Namespaces -- Exploring Clases -- Object-Oriented Programming in VB .NET -- Understanding Object-Oriented Programming -- Creating a Class -- Building a Class Library -- Using Class Modules -- Working with Class Properties, Methods, and Events -- Creating a Collection Class -- Creating Windows Controls -- Creating an Inherited Control -- Creating a Composite Control -- Working with Data and ADO.NET -- Reviewing Database Basics -- Using the Data Components -- Creating a Dataset with Data Components -- Binding Controls to Data -- Working with XML -- Understanding XML -- Viewing XML Schemas -- Reading XML Data into a Dataset -- Writing and Reading XML Content -- Building ASP.NET Web Applications -- Creating Web Forms Applications Requirements for Running an ASP.NET Application -- Adding Controls to Web Forms -- Working with Web Services -- Deploying Applications -- Introducing No-Touch Deployment -- Choosing a Setup and Deployment Project Type -- Adding a Setup Project to a Windows Application -- Using the Setup Wizard to Create a Web Setup Project -- Using VB .NET's Help System -- Dynamic Help -- Search -- Filtering Help Results -- Migrating Applications from VB6 to VB .NET -- Important Unsupported Features -- Guidelines for Successful Conversion Projects -- Key Syntax Differences Between VB6 and VB .NET -- VB .NET Keywords -- Selected VB .NET Namespaces and Classes.

With the introduction of Visual Basic .NET, VB is now a complete object-oriented language, letting programmers access the full power of the Windows platform while enabling them to build reliable and robust web solutions. It doesn't matter if you're new to programming or just to VB.NET, Visual Basic. NET Programming gets you up and running with the new version and offers a comprehensive introduction to Windows and web application development. From language fundamentals to ADO.NET, SML, and Web Services, Harold Davis's thoughtful approach emphasizes meaningful tasks that tie in with VB.NET's principal strengths. For example, you'll learn to build a Web Service, implement XML support, and use object-oriented techniques -- without getting mired in theory but also without sacrificing the understanding you need to apply your skills in new situations. Much of the book is devoted to Windows application development, covering new ways to program standard elements, as well as emphasizing Visual Basic's new programming features. Want to build a desktop program with an oval interface? Want to create robust class libraries, components, and controls? Implement printing as a program feature? Start and stop a service? Every chapter provides solid examples that will help you learn the language and, more importantly, create effective applications with it.