Introduction

Overview

In 2002, Visual Basic took the biggest leap in innovation since it was released, with the introduction of Visual Basic .NET (as it was renamed). After more than a decade, Visual Basic was overdue for a major overhaul. Nevertheless, .NET goes beyond an overhaul. It changes almost every aspect of software development. From integrating Internet functionality to creating object-oriented frameworks, Visual Basic .NET challenged traditional VB developers to learn dramatic new concepts and techniques.

2005 brought forth an even more enhanced Visual Basic language (renamed again, but this time to Visual Basic 2005). New features have been added that cement this language’s position as a true object-oriented language. Visual Basic 2005 is still going to be a challenge for traditional VB6 developers to learn, but it’s an easy road for those with any familiarity with previous versions, and this book is here to help you on your way.

This .NET Framework 3.0 version of the book provides details on not only the latest version of Visual Basic - version 2005 - but also the new framework that gives Visual Basic developers the capability to build new application types using Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and applications and libraries based upon the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), the Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), and Windows CardSpace.

These additions are what constitute the .NET Framework 3.0, as this version of the framework installs and works from the previous .NET Framework 2.0. This book includes numerous chapters that focus on the new technologies brought forth by the .NET Framework 3.0.

First, it is necessary to learn the differences between Visual Basic 2005 and the older versions of the language. In some cases, the same functionality is implemented in a different way. This was not done arbitrarily - there are good reasons for the changes. However, you must be prepared to unlearn old habits and form new ones.

Next, you must be open to the new concepts. Full object orientation, new component techniques, new visual tools for both local and Internet interfaces - all of these and more must become part of your skill set to effectively develop applications in Visual Basic.

This book covers Visual Basic from start to finish. We begin by looking at the .NET Framework and end by looking at the best practices for deploying .NET applications. In between, you will learn everything from database access to integration with other technologies such as XML, along with investigating the new features in detail. You will see that Visual Basic 2005 has emerged as a powerful yet easy-to-use language that enables you to target the Internet just as easily as the desktop. This book covers both .NET Framework 2.0 and the newly released .NET Framework 3.0. If you are coding using version 1.0, 1.1, or just 2.0, some sections of the book will not work for you. Items that are new to the .NET Framework 3.0 are specifically noted as such.