Chapter 4. Visual Studio .NET
In Chapter 2 you learned that you can create your VB.NET applications using Notepad. In this chapter, you’ll learn why you never will. Microsoft developed Visual Studio .NET (VS.NET) to facilitate the creation of Windows and web applications. You will find that this Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a very powerful tool that will greatly simplify your work.
Visual Studio .NET offers many advantages to the .NET developer. The following features are discussed in this chapter:
A modern interface using a tabbed document metaphor for source code and layout screens, and toolbars and informational windows that dock where you want them.
Code completion, which enables you to enter code with fewer errors and much less typing.
IntelliSense, which pops up help on every method and function call as you type.
Dynamic, context-sensitive help, which allows you to view topics and samples relevant to the code you are writing at the moment.
Immediate flagging of syntax errors (e.g., missing characters, misplaced braces, etc.), which allows you to fix problems as they are entered.
The ability to compile and test programs right in the IDE.
A built-in task list to keep track of changes you need to make.
A Start Page that provides easy access to new and existing projects.
Customization capability, which allows you to set user preferences for IDE appearance and behavior.
One VS.NET feature will be so important to you, even as a VB.NET novice, that it actually merits ...
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