Who This Book Is For

Just like any reference, this book will be useful to many types of readers:

• Developers who have used previous versions of Visual Basic

• Developers who are new to Visual Basic, but who have been developing applications in other programming languages, such as C++

• Those who are learning VB as their first language and would like to have a definitive language reference on their shelf

Readers New to Visual Basic

If you are new to the Visual Basic language, then you will want to pay particular attention to the first part of the book, which discusses many important areas of programming in .NET with Visual Basic, including variables, data types, the basic principles of object-oriented programming, and error-handling techniques.

VB and VBScript Developers New to .NET

Some critics have argued that with .NET, Microsoft has introduced an entirely new VB language, separate and distinct from VB 6. While we wouldn't go quite that far, we do recognize that beyond the syntax changes, the new .NET platform brings a paradigm shift that affects the way we think about application development. As a VB 6 or VBScript developer new to .NET, you may find yourself in a position similar to that of a developer who is new to all flavors of Visual Basic.

This book will ease your transition to .NET from earlier versions of Visual Basic. In particular, the first 11 chapters of the book offer a rapid introduction to VB and .NET and to their new features. Appendix D discusses many of the major language changes between VB 6 and VB.NET 2002, while Appendix G lists VB 6 language elements that are no longer supported in .NET editions. The "Version Differences" entries in Chapter 12 also provide support for your migration to .NET.

Existing .NET Developers

Early adopters of Visual Basic for the .NET platform have been vindicated, as the Windows development world has followed their lead in droves. And while programmers coming fresh into the language with the 2005 release will experience a completely new level of software development, the update introduces changes that keep VB a moving target even for experienced .NET programmers. That's why Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell includes Appendix E and Appendix F, which document the major changes introduced into the language since the initial 2002 release. You will also find some use for the "Version Differences" entries in Chapter 12.