| Most users in today's world interact with computer applications using a graphical user interface or GUI. In this chapter, we learn how to implement a GUI using the Windows Forms classes of the .NET Framework. Windows programming typically involves the extensive use of tools and wizards to simplify the process. However, all this automation can obscure the fundamentals of what is going on. Therefore, we begin our discussion of Windows programming by illustrating the use of the .NET Framework SDK to create simple Windows applications from scratch, without use of any special tools. We examine the fundamentals of forms and controls in Windows Forms, as well as the principles of event handling. At this point, we switch over to using Visual Studio .NET, which makes it easy to create a starter project, draw controls using the Forms Designer, add event handlers, and perform other tasks . This chapter covers some of the most common controls, such as labels, text boxes, buttons, check boxes, radio buttons , list boxes, and combo boxes. It also discusses the use of menus , tool bars, and status bars. Upcoming chapters will examine additional controls, the use of GDI+ and a GUI for our Acme Travel Agency case study.  |
