You will learn about the following in this chapter:
In this chapter, you will learn how to install Visual Studio .NET and how to write a simple Visual Basic .NET program. It is important that you follow the installation instructions carefully . Visual Studio .NET is huge, and it will likely take you about an hour to install it. Following the instructions in this chapter should help minimize the possibility of something going wrong during the process. The short program you will write at the end of this chapter serves two purposes. First, it introduces you to Visual Basic .NET and its environment. Second, if the program runs, you can be fairly certain that the installation was successful. So with all that in mind, let's get started. This chapter is devoted to installing Visual Studio .NET and its various components . At the chapter end, you will write a short program in Visual Basic .NET. The purpose of this trivial program is more of a check that Visual Basic .NET was installed properly than a real educational experience. Still, you should type in and complete the program because it does illustrate some fundamental aspects of programming in Visual Basic .NET. When you are ready to begin the installation of Visual Basic .NET, make sure you have closed all other applications before you begin the installation process. Also, you should allow at least an hour to complete the installation. You will be asked questions along the way, and you will have to swap CD-ROMs, too. Take your time it's a lot easier to get it right the first time than to redo the installation. Let's get started! |