book

Microsoft Visual Basic 2013 Step by Step

Name: Microsoft Visual Basic 2013 Step by Step
Author: Michael Halvorson
ISBN: 9780735673380

by Michael Halvorson

November 2013

Beginner

700 pages

20h 40m

English

Microsoft Press

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Microsoft Visual Basic 2013 Step by Step
Table of Contents
Introduction
Who should read this bookAssumptionsWho should not read this bookOrganization of this bookFinding your best starting point in this bookConventions and features in this bookSystem requirementsCode samplesInstalling the code samplesUsing the code samplesAcknowledgmentsErrata & book supportWe want to hear from youStay in touch
I. Introduction to Visual Studio development
1. Visual Basic 2013 development opportunities and the Windows Store
Visual Basic 2013 products and opportunitiesAn impressive range of development opportunities and platformsTaking a multiplatform approach to learning Visual BasicEvaluating the Windows StoreWhat is the Windows Store?Accessing the Windows StoreSales information and price tiersOr your application could be free…Planning ahead for certificationWindows Store requirements checklistIt’s all in the detailsSummary
2. The Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment
Getting startedThe Visual Studio development environmentImportant tools in the IDEOrganizing tools in the IDEThe Designer and XAML markupRunning and testing Windows Store appsWorking with the Properties windowOrganizing the programming toolsMoving and docking toolsAutohideTabbed documents, manual docking, and docking guidesHiding tool windowsConfiguring the IDE for step-by-step exercisesExiting Visual StudioSummary
3. Creating your first Windows Store application
Lucky Seven: A Visual Basic app for the Windows StoreProgramming step by stepDesigning the user interfaceFinal property settings and adjustmentsWriting the codeA look at the SpinButton_Click event handlerRunning Windows Store appsCreating a splash screen for your appBuilding an executable fileSummary
4. Windows desktop apps: A walkthrough using Windows Forms
Inside Windows desktop appsVisual Basic and Windows desktop appsCreating a Windows desktop appSetting propertiesThe picture box propertiesNaming objects for clarityWriting the codeBehind the scenes in the SpinButton_Click event handlerRunning the Lucky Seven desktop appBuilding an executable filePublishing a Windows desktop appSummary
II. Designing the user interface
5. Working with Windows Store app controls
Understanding Windows Store app controlsRoots in Windows Presentation Foundation and XAMLDesigning for Windows 8.1Using the TextBox control to receive inputAssigning TextBox contents to a variableMultiline TextBox controlsCheck spelling in a TextBox controlUsing the FlipView control to display a series of imagesUsing the MediaElement control to play entertainment mediaUse the WebView control to display live web contentSummary

6. Working with Windows Forms controls
Using the DateTimePicker controlControls for gathering inputUsing the CheckBox controlUsing group boxes and radio buttonsProcessing input with list boxesAdding menus by using the MenuStrip controlMenu featuresAdding access keys to menu commandsProcessing menu choicesAdding toolbars with the ToolStrip controlUsing dialog box controlsEvent handlers that manage common dialog boxesSummary
7. XAML markup step by step
Introduction to XAMLXAML in the Visual Studio IDEXAML in Blend for Visual StudioXAML elementsNamespaces in XAML markupExamining XAML project filesAdding XAML elements using the Code EditorSummary
8. Using XAML styles
Introduction to XAML stylesWhere did StandardStyles.xaml go?Creating new XAML stylesConsidering the scope of a styleSample markup for a new XAML styleReferencing a styleUsing explicit and implicit stylesPracticing XAML stylesBuilding new styles from existing stylesIDE shortcuts for applying stylesSummary
9. Exploring Windows 8.1 design features: Command bar, flyout, tiles, and touch
Creating a command bar to manage common tasksCommand bar featuresDesigning your command barCommand bar practice step by stepUsing the Flyout control to collect input and display informationDesigning custom tiles for your appThe Assets folderRequired tiles and usesProgramming live tilesPlanning for touch inputXAML controls handle touch automaticallyCommon gesturesUsability considerationsSecurity and permissions settingsSummary
10. Creating console applications
Console applications in Visual StudioCreating a console applicationModules and proceduresThe Sub Main() procedureInteractive math gamesFind the numberSimulating diceBuilding, publishing, and running console appsSummary
III. Visual Basic programming techniques
11. Mastering data types, operators, and string processing
Strategies for declaring variables and constantsThe Dim statementExplicit variable declarationImplicit variable declarationDefining constantsScope for variables and constantsGuidelines for naming variables and constantsData types and the ListBox controlOperators and formulasArithmetic operatorsAdvanced arithmetic operatorsShortcut operatorsHow Visual Basic calculates formulasConverting data typesThe ToString methodThe Parse methodThe Convert classOlder type conversion functions and their usesProcessing strings with the String classCommon tasksSorting textWorking with ASCII codesSorting strings in a text boxExamining the Sort Text program codeProtecting text with basic encryptionUsing the Xor operatorExamining the encryption program codeSummary
12. Creative decision structures and loops
Event-driven programmingUsing conditional expressionsIf…Then decision structuresTesting several conditions in an If…Then decision structureUsing logical operators in conditional expressionsShort-circuiting by using AndAlso and OrElseMastering Select Case decision structuresUsing comparison operators with a Select Case structureMastering For…Next loopsUsing a loop to fill a TextBox with string dataComplex For…Next loopsThe Exit For statementWriting Do loopsAvoiding an endless loopConverting temperaturesUsing the Until keyword in Do loopsSummary
13. Trapping errors by using structured error handling
Processing errors by using the Try…Catch statementWhen to use error handlersSetting the trap: the Try…Catch code blockPath name and drive errorsWindows Store apps and built-in exception handlingWriting a flash drive error handlerUsing the Finally clause to perform cleanup tasksMore complex Try…Catch error handlersThe Exception objectSpecifying a retry periodUsing nested Try…Catch blocksComparing error handlers with defensive programming techniquesThe Exit Try statementSummary
14. Using arrays, collections, and generics to manage data
Working with arrays of variablesCreating an arrayDeclaring an array with set elementsSetting aside memoryWorking with array elementsDeclaring an array and assigning initial valuesCreating an array to hold temperaturesThe GetUpperBound and GetLowerBound methodsSetting an array’s size at runtimePreserving array contents by using ReDim PreserveUsing ReDim for three-dimensional arraysProcessing large arrays by using methods in the Array classThe Array classGet your sort onWorking with collectionsCreating collections and generic listsDeclaring generic collectionsSample app with generic list and background imageSummary
15. Innovative data management with LINQ
LINQ tools and techniquesFundamental query syntaxExtracting information from arraysUsing LINQ with collectionsUsing LINQ with XML documentsSummary
16. Object-oriented programming techniques
Inheriting a form by using the Inheritance PickerCreating your own base classesAdding a new class to your projectInheriting a base classPolymorphismSyntax for overriding methods and propertiesReferring to the base class with MyBaseExperimenting with polymorphismSummary
IV. Database and web programming
17. Database controls for Windows desktop apps
Database programming with ADO.NETDatabase terminologyWorking with an Access databaseThe Data Sources windowUsing toolbox controls to display database informationSQL statements and filtering dataSummary
18. Data access for Windows Store apps
Data binding in XAMLA variety of data sourcesBinding elementsBinding a control to a classUsing a collection as a source of dataAccessing data in XML documentsReading an XML fileSearching for items in an XML fileWriting to an XML fileA user interface for data entrySummary
19. Visual Studio web development with ASP.NET
Inside ASP.NETWeb FormsASP.NET MVCWeb Pages (with Razor)HTML5 and JavaScriptBuilding a Web Forms website with ASP.NETSoftware requirements for ASP.NET developmentEssential stepsWebpages vs. Windows FormsServer controlsHTML controlsUsing the Web DesignerAdding server controls to a websiteWriting event handlers for webpage controlsCustomizing the website templateDisplaying database records on a webpageEditing document and site master propertiesSummary
V. Microsoft Windows Phone programming
20. Introduction to Windows Phone 8 development
Opportunities in the Windows Phone 8 platformKey Windows Phone 8 featuresHardware requirementsIntegration and collaborationThe Windows Phone StoreWhat is the Windows Phone Store?Accessing the Windows Phone StoreHow much money do developers make?Planning ahead for certificationWorking with Windows Phone SDK 8.0Downloading the SDKComparing Windows Phone 8 and Windows Store platformsDifferencesSimilaritiesSummary
21. Creating your first Windows Phone 8 application
Creating a Windows Phone projectDesigning the Golf Caddy user interfaceWriting the codeTesting Windows Phone appsApplication life cycle considerationsClosing or deactivating?The PhoneApplicationSerivce classLife cycle management with the IsolatedStorageSettings classSetting options in the Window Phone manifest fileSummary
A. About the author
Index
About the Author
Copyright

Overview

Your hands-on guide to Visual Basic fundamentals

Expand your expertise—and teach yourself the fundamentals of Microsoft Visual Basic 2013. If you have previous programming experience but are new to Visual Basic 2013, this tutorial delivers the step-by-step guidance and coding exercises you need to master core topics and techniques.

Discover how to:

Master essential Visual Basic programming techniques

Begin building apps for Windows Store, Windows Phone 8, and ASP.NET

Design apps using XAML markup, touch input, and live tiles

Tackle advanced language concepts, such as polymorphism

Manage data sources including XML documents and web data

Create a Windows Phone 8 app that manages key lifecycle events

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