Summary

The new features and improvements to Windows Forms simplify development of rich client and smart client interfaces, and allow new capabilities that user interface designers did not have in pre-.NET versions of Visual Basic. Coupled with the easy deployment of .NET applications, we are in the midst of a resurgence in forms-based programs.

Becoming a capable Windows Forms developer requires becoming familiar with the controls that are available, and their properties, events, and methods. This takes time. If you are coming from the VB6 world, much of your expertise will continue to be useful with Windows Forms. This chapter has highlighted the most important differences you need to know about. If you are less familiar with form-based interfaces, you can expend a fair amount of time using the reference documentation to find the control capabilities you need.

Many professional Windows Forms developers need to go beyond just creating forms and laying out controls. Complex applications often also require creation of new controls or enhancement of built-in controls. The capabilities for doing this were limited in earlier versions of Visual Basic, but are much more impressive in VB 2005. Accordingly, the next chapter discusses how to create and modify Windows Forms controls, along with some additional advanced Windows Forms topics.