book

Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2010 Developer’s Handbook

by Klaus Löffelmann and Sarika Calla Purohit

August 2011

Intermediate to advanced

976 pages

29h 8m

English

Microsoft Press

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Who Should Read This BookAssumptionsWho Should Not Read This BookOrganization of This BookConventions and Features in This BookSystem RequirementsCode SamplesInstalling the Code SamplesUsing the Code SamplesAcknowledgmentsErrata and Book SupportWe Want to Hear from YouStay in Touch
Starting Visual Studio for the First TimeConsole ApplicationsStarting an ApplicationAnatomy of a (Visual Basic) ProgramStarting Up with the Main MethodMethods with and Without Return ValuesDefining Methods Without Return Values by Using SubDefining Methods with Return Values by Using FunctionDeclaring VariablesNullablesExpressions and Definitions of VariablesDefining and Declaring Variables at the Same TimeComplex ExpressionsBoolean ExpressionsComparing Objects and Data TypesDeriving from Objects and Abstract ObjectsPropertiesType Literal for Determining Constant TypesType SafetyLocal Type InferenceArrays and CollectionsExecuting Program Code ConditionallyIf ... Then ... Else ... ElseIf ... End IfThe Logical Operators And, Or, Xor, and NotComparison Operators That Return Boolean ResultsShort Circuit Evaluations with OrElse and AndAlsoSelect ... Case ... End SelectThe If Operator and IIf FunctionLoopsFor ... Next LoopsNesting For LoopsFor ... Each LoopsDo ... Loop and While ... End While LoopsExit—Leaving Loops PrematurelyContinue—Repeating Loops PrematurelySimplified Access to Object Properties and Methods Using With ... End WithThe Scope of VariablesThe += and –= Operators and Their RelativesThe Bit Shift Operators << and >>Error Handling in CodeElegant Error Handling with Try/Catch/FinallyCatching Multiple Exception TypesUsing the Finally Block
What Is .NET, and What Is It Composed Of?What Is an Assembly?What Is a Namespace?Embedding of Namespaces and Assemblies in Code Files and Projects: a Practical ExampleCommon Language Runtime and Common Language InfrastructureThe Framework Class Library and the Base Class LibraryThe Common Type SystemMicrosoft Intermediate Language and the Just-In-Time Compiler
IntroductionStarting Visual Studio for the First Time: Selecting the ProfileThe Start Page: Where Your Developing Endeavors BeginBeginning Development Experience—Creating New ProjectsManaging TemplatesModifying TemplatesMigrating from Previous Versions of Visual Studio to Visual Studio 2010Upgrading Projects created with Visual Studio 2003 Through 2008Upgrading Visual Basic 6.0 Applications to Visual Studio 2010Multitargeting of Visual Basic Applications by Using Visual Studio 2010The History of MultitargetingMultitargeting for New ProjectsChanging the Target Framework for ApplicationsUnderstanding ProfilesClient Profile is Default for Client ProjectsInteresting Read for MultitargetingLimitations of MultitargetingLack of Round-Tripping SupportCompromised Design Time CompatibilityNon-Optimal Experience with Mixed Target SolutionsThird-Party User ControlsZooming In the New and Improved WPF-Based IDEManaging Screen Real EstateSplit WindowHorizontal and Vertical Tab GroupMultimonitor Support or Tear-Away WindowsPersistence of Window LayoutCommon Use ScenariosNormal ViewWindows In FloatDocking the WindowsSearching, Understanding, and Navigating CodeNavigate ToSmart Searching CapabilitiesNavigating Between Code BlocksHighlighting and Navigating Between Symbol ReferencesChanging the Highlight ColorDisabling Highlight ReferencesRegions and OutliningArchitecture ExplorerSequence DiagramClass DiagramCoding Bottom UpDeclare First ModeConsume First ModeThe Generate From Usage FeatureCustomizing Types by Using the Generate New Type DialogExtending Visual StudioManaging Visual Studio ExtensionsExtension Types
Case Example: the DVD Cover GeneratorSpecifications for “Covers”Creating a New ProjectDesigning Forms with the Windows Forms DesignerPositioning ControlsGuidelines and the Margin/Padding Properties of ControlsAdjusting the Size and Position of ControlsSelecting Multiple Controls and Specifying the Reference ControlPerforming Common Tasks on Controls by Using Smart TagsDynamically Arranging Controls at RuntimeAnchoring Controls with the Anchor PropertyAdjusting Controls Proportionately to Form Size Changes with TableLayoutPanelCreating Columns and Rows for the TableLayoutPanelArranging Controls in the Cells of the TableLayoutPanelAnchoring Controls in the TableLayoutPanelSpanning Rows or Columns of the TableLayoutPanelAutomatic Scrolling of Controls in ContainersSelecting Controls That Users Can’t Reach with the MouseSelecting Controls with the Properties WindowDetermining the Tab Order of ControlsUsing the Name, Text, and Caption PropertiesSpecifying Accelerator KeysSetting up Accept and Cancel Buttons for a FormAdding Multiple Forms to a ProjectWhat’s Next?Naming Conventions for Controls in this BookFunctions for Control Layout in the DesignerKeyboard Shortcuts for Positioning ControlsThe Code EditorSetting the Editor Display to the Correct SizeMany Roads Lead to the Code EditorIntelliSense—The Strongest Workhorse in the Coding StableFiltering Elements in the Completion ListDisplaying Element Parameter InformationMultiple Command Lines, Implicit Line Continuation, and Parameter InformationAutomatic Completion of Structure Keywords and Code IndentationError Detection in the Code EditorSimple Error Detection in the EditorEditor Support for Runtime ErrorsForcing Type Safety: Error Correction Options for Type ConflictsXML Documentation Comments for IntelliSense for Customized Objects and ClassesAdding New Code Files to the ProjectRefactoring CodeRefactoring Code (Adjusting Class Names) by Renaming Project Files or Object PropertiesCode Snippets LibraryInserting Code Snippets with the Help of ConnectionsSaving Application Settings with the Settings DesignerSetting Up Settings VariablesUsing Settings Variables in CodeBinding of Settings Values with Form and Control PropertiesWhere Are Settings Stored?Congratulations!
What Is the Windows Presentation Foundation?What’s So New About WPF?25 Years of Windows, 25 Years of Drawn ButtonsGames and ProtagonistsHow WPF Brings Designers and Developers TogetherExtensible Application Markup LanguageEvent Handling in WPF and Visual BasicXAML Syntax OverviewImageResizer—a Practical WPF ExampleDefining Grid Columns and Rows for Arranging ControlsInserting a New Row RetroactivelyThe Main MenuBinding Events to ControlsLoading the Default SettingsOrganization Is Everything: Making the Output Path Freely DefinableMaking Final Preparations: Adding PicturesOn to the Finish Line: Reducing Picture SizeAdding a Project to an Existing Solution and Setting ReferencesThe Heart of the Program: Image ResizingFrom Coach to Business Class

Numeric Data TypesDefining and Declaring Numeric Data TypesDelegating Numeric Calculations to the ProcessorNumeric Data Types at a GlanceByteSByteShortUShortIntegerUIntegerLongULongSingleDoubleDecimalThe Numeric Data Types at a GlanceAvoiding Single and Double Rounding ErrorsMethods Common to all Numeric TypesConverting Strings into Values and Avoiding Culture-Dependant ErrorsPerformance and Rounding IssuesDetermining the Minimum and Maximum Values of a Numeric TypeSpecial Functions for all Floating-Point TypesInfinityNot a Number: NaNConverting with TryParseSpecial Functions for the Decimal TypeThe Char Data TypeThe String Data TypeStrings—Yesterday and TodayDeclaring and Defining StringsHandling Empty and Blank StringsAutomatic String ConstructionAssigning Special Characters to a StringMemory Requirements for StringsNo Strings Attached, or Are There? Strings are Immutable!Memory Optimization for StringsDetermining String LengthRetrieving Parts of a StringPadding StringsFind and Replace OperationsTrimming StringsSplitting StringsIterating through StringsStringBuilder vs. String: When Performance MattersPerformance Comparison: String vs. StringBuilderThe Boolean Data TypeConverting to and from Numeric Data TypesConverting to and from StringsThe Date Data TypeTimeSpan: Manipulating Time and Date DifferencesA Library with Useful Functions for Date ManipulationConverting Strings to Date ValuesConversions with ParseConversion with ParseExact.NET Equivalents of Base Data TypesThe GUID Data TypeConstants and Read-Only Fields (Read-Only Members)ConstantsRead-Only Fields
Using Classes and Objects: When and Why?Mini Address Book—the Procedural Version
What Is a Class?Instantiating Classes with NewInitializing Public Fields During InstantiationNew or Not New: About Objects and Reference TypesNothingNothing as a Null Reference PointerNothing and Default ValuesUsing ClassesValue TypesCreating a Value Type with a StructureAssigning a Value Type to a Variable
Using PropertiesAssigning Values to PropertiesPre-Allocating Default Property Values for Autoimplemented PropertiesPassing Arguments to PropertiesDefault PropertiesAvoid the Ultimate Property-No-GoPublic Variables or Properties—a Question of Faith?Class Constructors: Defining What Happens in NewParameterized ConstructorsClass Methods with Sub and FunctionOverloading Methods, Constructors, and PropertiesUsing Optional ParametersMutual Calling of Overloaded MethodsMutual Calling of Overloaded ConstructorsOverloading Property Procedures with ParametersSpecifying Variable Scope with Access ModifiersAccess Modifiers and ClassesAccess Modifiers and Procedures (Subs, Functions, Properties)Access Modifiers and VariablesDifferent Access Modifiers for Property AccessorsStatic ElementsStatic MethodsStatic PropertiesDistributing Class Code over Multiple Code Files by Using PartialPartial Class Code for Methods and Properties
Reusing Classes Through InheritanceInitializing Field Variables for Classes Without Default ConstructorsOverriding Methods and PropertiesOverriding Existing Methods and Properties of .NET Framework ClassesPolymorphismA Simple Example of PolymorphismUsing Polymorphism in Real World ApplicationsPolymorphism and the Use of Me, MyClass, and MyBaseAbstract Classes and Virtual ProceduresDeclaring a Class as Abstract with MustInheritDeclaring a Method or Property of an Abstract Class as Virtual with MustOverrideInterfacesEditor Support for Abstract Classes and InterfacesThe Pitfalls of Automatic Code Completion with Interfaces or Abstract ClassesEditor Support for Abstract ClassesInterfaces that Implement InterfacesBinding Multiple Interfaces in a ClassThe Built-In Members of the Object TypeReturning the String Representation of an Object with ToStringComparing ObjectsEquals, Is, and IsNot in Real World ScenariosThe Methods and Properties of Object: An OverviewShadowing of Class ProceduresShadows as Interruptor of the Class HierarchySpecial Form “Module” in Visual BasicSingleton Classes and Self-Instantiating Classes
A Practical Example of StructuresPassing Value and Reference ParametersConstructors and Default Instantiations of Value TypesNo Default Constructor Code for Value TypesWhen to Use Value Types—When to Use Reference TypesTargeted Memory Assignment for Structure Members with the Attributes StructLayout and FieldOffset
Converting Primitive TypesConverting to and from StringsConverting Strings by Using the Parse and ParseExact MethodConverting Into Strings by Using the ToString MethodCatching Type Conversion FailuresCasting Reference Types by Using DirectCastTryCast—Determining Whether Casting Is PossibleIsAssignableFrom—Casting on the FlyBoxing Value TypesWhat DirectCast Cannot DoTo Box or Not to BoxChanging the Values of Interface-Boxed Value Types
The Garbage Collector in .NETHow the Garbage Collector WorksThe Speed in Allocating Memory for New ObjectsFinalizeWhen Finalize Does Not Take PlaceDisposeImplementing a High Resolution Timer as IDisposableVisual Basic Editor Support for Inserting a Disposable PatternTargeted Object Release with Using
Introduction to Operator ProceduresPreparing a Structure or Class for Operator ProceduresImplementing OperatorsOverloading Operator ProceduresImplementing Comparison OperatorsImplementing Type Conversion Operators for Use with CTypeImplementing True and False Evaluation OperatorsProblem Handling for Operator ProceduresBeware When Using Reference Types!Implementable Operators: an Overview
Consuming Events with WithEvents and HandlesRaising EventsEvents Cannot Be Inherited—the Detour Via OnxxxProviding Event ParametersThe Event Source: senderDetailed Event Information: EventArgsDelegatesPassing Delegates to MethodsLambda ExpressionsSingle-Line Expression Lambdas and Multi-Line Statement LambdasEmbedding Events Dynamically with AddHandlerImplementing Your Own Event Handlers
Introduction to EnumerationsDetermining the Values of Enumeration ElementsDuplicate Values Are Allowed!Determining the Types of Enumeration ElementsRetrieving the Types of Enumeration Elements at RuntimeConverting Enumerations to Other TypesConverting to Numeric Values and Vice VersaParsing Strings into EnumerationsFlags EnumerationsQuerying Flags Enumerations
IntroductionGenerics: Using One Code Base for Different TypesSolution ApproachesStandardizing the Code Base of a Type by Using GenericsConstraintsConstraining Generic Types to a Specific Base ClassConstraining a Generic Type to Specific InterfacesConstraining a Generic Type to Classes with a Default ConstructorConstraining a Generic Class to Value TypesCombining Constraints and Specifying Multiple Type Parameters
Nullable Value TypesBe Careful When Using Boolean Expressions Based on NullablesSpecial Characteristics of Nullable During BoxingThe Difference Between Nothing and Nothing as a Default ValueGeneric DelegatesAction(Of T)Function(Of T)Tuple(Of T)Type VarianceExtension MethodsThe Main Application Area of Extension MethodsUsing Extension Methods to Simplify Collection Initializers
Array BasicsInitializing ArraysChanging Array Dimensions at RuntimeThe Magic of ReDimPre-Allocating Values of Array Elements in CodeType Inference When Using Array InitializersDominant TypesMultidimensional Arrays and Jagged ArraysJagged ArraysImportant Array Properties and MethodsDetermining the Number of Array Elements by Using LengthSorting Arrays with Array.SortReversing the Array Order with Array.ReverseSearching a Sorted Array with Array.BinarySearchImplementing Sort and BinarySearch Custom ClassesImplementing Class Comparability with IComparableUsing Lambdas with Array MethodsEnumeratorsCustom Enumerators with IEnumerableCollection BasicsInitializing CollectionsUsing Extension Methods to Simplify Collection InitializersImportant Collections of .NET FrameworkArrayList: Universal Storage for ObjectsType-Safe Collections Based on CollectionBaseHashtables: Fast Lookup for ObjectsUsing HashtablesProcessing Speed of HashtablesWhy the Access Time to Hashtable Elements Is Almost Constant...... And Why You Should Know About ItUsing Custom Classes as KeyKeys Must Be ImmutableEnumerating Data Elements in a HashtableThe DictionaryBase ClassQueue: the FIFO PrincipleStack: the LIFO PrincipleSortedList: Keeping Elements Permanently SortedGeneric CollectionsList(Of ) Collections and Lambda ExpressionsForEach and the Generic Action DelegateSort and the Generic Comparison DelegateFind and the Generic Predicate DelegateKeyedCollection: Key/Dictionary Collections with Additional Index QueriesLinking Elements with LinkedList(Of )
Introduction to Serialization TechniquesSerializing with SoapFormatter and BinaryFormatterUniversal SOAP File Serializer and DeserializerUniversal Binary File Serializer and DeserializerFile Serializer FunctionalityShallow and Deep Object CloningThe Universal DeepClone MethodSerializing Objects with Circular ReferencesSerializing Objects of Different Versions When Using BinaryFormatter and SoapFormatter ClassesXML SerializationChecking the Version Independence of the XML FileSerialization Problems with KeyedCollection
Introduction to AttributesUsing Attributes with ObsoleteAttributeVisual Basic-Specific AttributesIntroduction to ReflectionThe Type Class as the Origin for All Type ExaminationsClass Analysis Functions Provided by a Type ObjectObject Hierarchy of MemberInfo and Casting to a Specific Info TypeDetermining Property Values with PropertyInfo at RuntimeCreating Custom Attributes and Recognizing Them at RuntimeDetermining Custom Attributes at Runtime
Visual Basic 2010 Simplifications Using the Example of the DotNetCopy Backup ToolDotNetCopy Options: /Autostart and /SilentThe Principle Functionality of DotNetCopyThe My NamespaceCalling Forms Without InstantiationReading Command-Line Arguments with My.Application.CommandLineArgsTargeted Access to Resources with My.ResourcesCreating and Managing Resource ElementsRetrieving Resources with My.ResourcesWriting Localizable Applications with Resource Files and the My NamespaceSimplified File Operations with My.Computer.FileSystemUsing Application Settings with My.SettingsSaving Application Settings with User Scope
Application Framework OptionsA Windows XP Look and Feel for Your Applications—Enabling Visual XP StylesPreventing Multiple Application Starts—Creating a Single Instance ApplicationSave My.Settings Automatically on ShutdownSpecifying the User Authentication ModeSpecifying the End of Your Application—the Shutdown ModeDisplaying a Splash Dialog when Starting Complex Applications—Start ScreenAdding a Code File to Handle Application Events (Start, End, Network Status, Global Exceptions)
Getting Started with LINQLINQ: Based on Extension MethodsThe Where MethodThe Select MethodAnonymous TypesType Inference for Generic Type ParametersCombining LINQ Extension MethodsSimplified Use of LINQ Extension Methods with the LINQ Query Syntax
Getting Started with LINQ to ObjectsAnatomy of a LINQ QueryLINQ Query PerformanceConcatenating LINQ Queries and Delayed ExecutionCascading QueriesParallelizing LINQ Queries with AsParallelGuidelines for Creating LINQ QueriesForcing Query Execution with ToArray or ToListCombining Multiple CollectionsCombining Collections ImplicitlyCombining Collections ExplicitlyGrouping CollectionsGrouping Collections from Multiple CollectionsGroup JoinAggregate FunctionsReturning Multiple Different AggregationsCombining Grouped Queries and Aggregations
Getting Started with LINQ to XMLProcessing XML Documents—Yesterday and TodayXML Literals: Using XML Directly in CodeIncluding Expressions in XML LiteralsCreating XML Documents with LINQQuerying XML Documents with LINQ to XMLIntelliSense Support for LINQ To XML QueriesUsing Prefixes (fleet and article)
Prerequisites for Testing the ExamplesDownloading and Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition with Advanced ServicesInstalling the AdventureWorks Sample DatabasesThe Working Principle of an Entity Data ModelLINQ to Entities: the First Practical ExampleChanging the Name of the Entity SetChanging the Entity Container Name RetroactivelyEditing the .edmx-File as XML Outside the DesignerQuerying an Entity ModelQuerying Data with LINQ to Entities QueriesHow Queries Get to the Data Provider—Entity SQL (eSQL)A Closer Look at Generated SQL StatementsLazy Loading and Eager Loading in Entity FrameworkLoading Data Manually and Retroactively During Lazy LoadingUsing Eager Loading for Certain RelationshipsAvoiding Anonymous Result Collections in Join Queries via SelectCompiled QueriesModifying, Saving, and Deleting DataSaving Data Modifications to the Database by Using SaveChangesInserting Related Data into Data TablesDeleting Data from TablesConcurrency ChecksUpdating a Data Model from a DatabaseModel-First DesignInheritance in the Conceptual Data ModelExecuting T-SQL Commands Directly in the Object ContextWorking with Stored ProceduresLooking Ahead
Introduction to ThreadingVarious Options for Starting a ThreadUsing the Thread ClassBackground Threads Always End When the Main Application EndsSimplifying Thread Start With Multi-Line LambdasCalling Delegates AsynchronouslyUsing the Task ClassUsing a Thread Pool’s Thread directlyHow to Access Windows Controls from Non-UI ThreadsParallelization with Parallel.For and Parallel.ForEachParallel.ForExample: Parallelizing the ImageResizerParallel.ForEachUsing ParallelLoopStates—Exit For for Parallel.For and Parallel.ForEachAvoiding Errors When Parallelizing LoopsWorking with TasksWaiting on Task Completion—WaitOne, WaitAny, and WaitAllTasks with and Without Return ValuesHow To Avoid Freezing the User Interface While Waiting For Tasks To FinishCancelling Tasks by Using CancellationTokenSynchronizing ThreadsSynchronizing Threads with SyncLockThe Monitor ClassMonitor—Wait—PulseSynchronizing Limited Resources with MutexWhat’s Next?
Klaus LöffelmannSarika Calla Purohit

Overview

Your expert guide to building modern applications with Visual Basic 2010

Take control of Visual Basic 2010—for everything from basic Windows and web development to advanced multithreaded applications. Written by Visual Basic experts, this handbook provides an in-depth reference on language concepts and features, as well as scenario-based guidance for putting Visual Basic to work. It's ideal whether you’re creating new applications with Visual Basic 2010 or upgrading projects built with an earlier version of the language.

Discover how to:

Use Visual Basic 2010 for Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation projects

Build robust code using object-oriented programming techniques, such as classes and types

Work with events and delegates—and add your own events to custom classes

Program arrays, collections, and other data structures in the Microsoft .NET Framework

Solve problems quickly and easily using My namespace in Visual Basic

Dive into Microsoft LINQ, including LINQ to XML and LINQ to Entities

Tackle threading, multitasking, and multiprocessor development and debugging

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780735663138Purchase book