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Sams Teach Yourself Visual Basic 2008 in 24 Hours: Complete Starter Kit

Name: Sams Teach Yourself Visual Basic 2008 in 24 Hours: Complete Starter Kit
Author: James Foxall
ISBN: 9780768678468

by James Foxall

May 2008

Beginner

576 pages

12h 18m

English

Sams

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Copyright
Dedication
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Reader Services
Introduction
Audience and OrganizationConventions Used in This BookOnward and Upward!
I. The Visual Basic 2008 Environment
1. Jumping in with Both Feet: A Visual Basic 2008 Programming Tour
Starting Visual Basic 2008Creating a New ProjectUnderstanding the Visual Studio 2008 EnvironmentChanging the Characteristics of ObjectsNaming ObjectsSetting the Text Property of the FormSaving a ProjectGiving the Form an IconChanging the Size of the FormAdding Controls to a FormDesigning an InterfaceAdding a Visible Control to a FormAdding an Invisible Control to a FormWriting the Code Behind an InterfaceLetting a User Browse for a FileTerminating a Program Using CodeRunning a ProjectSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
2. Navigating Visual Basic 2008
Using the Visual Basic 2008 Start PageCreating New ProjectsOpening an Existing ProjectNavigating and Customizing the Visual Basic EnvironmentWorking with Design WindowsShowing and Hiding Design WindowsFloating Design WindowsDocking Design WindowsAuto-Hiding Design WindowsWorking with ToolbarsShowing and Hiding ToolbarsDocking and Resizing ToolbarsAdding Controls to a Form Using the ToolboxSetting Object Properties Using the Properties WindowSelecting an Object and Viewing Its PropertiesViewing and Changing PropertiesWorking with Color PropertiesViewing Property DescriptionsManaging ProjectsManaging Project Files with the Solution ExplorerWorking with SolutionsUnderstanding Project ComponentsSetting Project PropertiesAdding and Removing Project FilesA Quick-and-Dirty Programming PrimerStoring Values in VariablesUsing Procedures to Write Functional Units of CodeMessageBox.Show()Getting HelpSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
3. Understanding Objects and Collections
Understanding ObjectsUnderstanding PropertiesGetting and Setting PropertiesWorking with an Object and Its PropertiesUnderstanding MethodsTriggering MethodsUnderstanding Method DynamismBuilding a Simple Object Example ProjectCreating the Interface for the Drawing ProjectWriting the Object-Based CodeTesting Your Object Example ProjectUnderstanding CollectionsUsing the Object BrowserSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
4. Understanding Events
Understanding Event-Driven ProgrammingTriggering EventsEvents Triggered Through User InteractionEvents Triggered by an ObjectEvents Triggered by the Operating SystemAvoiding Recursive EventsAccessing an Object’s EventsWorking with Event ParametersBuilding an Event Example ProjectCreating the User InterfaceCreating Event HandlersKeeping Event Names CurrentSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises

II. Building a User Interface
5. Building Forms: The Basics
Changing the Name of a FormChanging the Appearance of a FormDisplaying Text on a Form’s Title BarChanging a Form’s Background ColorAdding an Image to a Form’s BackgroundGiving a Form an IconAdding Minimize, Maximize, and Control Box Buttons to a FormChanging the Appearance and Behavior of a Form’s BorderControlling a Form’s Minimum and Maximum SizeShowing and Hiding FormsShowing FormsUnderstanding Form ModalityDisplaying a Form in a Normal, Maximized, or Minimized StateSpecifying a Form’s Initial Display PositionPreventing a Form from Appearing in the TaskbarUnloading FormsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
6. Building Forms: Advanced Techniques
Working with ControlsAdding Controls to a FormAdding a Control by Double-Clicking It in the ToolboxAdding a Control by Dragging from the ToolboxAdding a Control by Drawing ItManipulating ControlsUsing the Grid (Size and Snap)Using Snap LinesSelecting a Group of ControlsAligning ControlsMaking Controls the Same SizeEvenly Spacing a Group of ControlsSetting Property Values for a Group of ControlsAnchoring and Autosizing ControlsCreating a Tab OrderLayering ControlsCreating Topmost Nonmodal WindowsCreating Transparent FormsCreating Scrollable FormsCreating MDI FormsSetting the Startup FormSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
7. Working with Traditional Controls
Displaying Static Text with the Label ControlAllowing Users to Enter Text Using a Text BoxSpecifying Text AlignmentCreating a Multiline Text BoxAdding ScrollbarsLimiting the Number of Characters a User Can EnterCreating Password FieldsUnderstanding the Text Box’s Common EventsCreating ButtonsAccept and Cancel ButtonsPresenting Yes/No Options Using Check BoxesCreating Containers and Groups of Option ButtonsUsing Panels and Group BoxesWorking with Radio ButtonsDisplaying a List with the List BoxManipulating Items at Design TimeManipulating Items at RuntimeAdding Items to a ListRemoving Items from a ListClearing a ListRetrieving Information About the Selected Item in a ListSorting a ListCreating Drop-Down Lists Using the Combo BoxSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
8. Using Advanced Controls
Creating TimersCreating Tabbed Dialog BoxesStoring Pictures in an Image List ControlBuilding Enhanced Lists Using the List View ControlCreating ColumnsAdding List ItemsManipulating a List View Using CodeAdding List Items Using CodeDetermining the Selected Item in CodeRemoving List Items Using CodeRemoving All List ItemsCreating Hierarchical Lists Using the Tree View ControlAdding Nodes to a Tree ViewRemoving NodesClearing All NodesSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
9. Adding Menus and Toolbars to Forms
Building MenusCreating Top-Level MenusCreating Menu Items for a Top-Level MenuMoving and Deleting Menu ItemsCreating Checked Menu ItemsProgramming MenusImplementing Context MenusAssigning Shortcut Keys to Menu ItemsUsing the Toolbar ControlAdding Toolbar Buttons Using the Buttons CollectionProgramming ToolbarsCreating Drop-Down Menus for Toolbar ButtonsCreating a Status BarSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
III. Making Things Happen: Programming
10. Creating and Calling Code Procedures
Creating Visual Basic Code ModulesWriting Code ProceduresDeclaring Procedures That Don’t Return ValuesDeclaring Procedures That Return ValuesCalling Code ProceduresPassing ParametersExiting ProceduresAvoiding Infinite RecursionSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
11. Using Constants, Data Types, Variables, and Arrays
Understanding Data TypesDetermining Data TypeCasting Data from One Data Type to AnotherDefining and Using ConstantsDeclaring and Referencing VariablesDeclaring VariablesPassing Literal Values to a VariableUsing Variables in ExpressionsEnforced Variable Declaration and Data TypingExplicit Variable DeclarationStrict TypingWorking with ArraysDimensioning ArraysReferencing Array VariablesCreating Multidimensional ArraysDetermining ScopeUnderstanding Block ScopeUnderstanding Procedure-Level (Local) ScopeUnderstanding Module-Level ScopeUsing Global (Namespace) ScopeScope Name ConflictsDeclaring Variables of Static ScopeNaming ConventionsUsing Prefixes to Denote Data TypeDenoting Scope Using Variable PrefixesOther PrefixesUsing Variables in Your Picture Viewer ProjectCreating the Variables for the OptionsInitializing and Using the Options VariablesSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
12. Performing Arithmetic, String Manipulation, and Date/Time Adjustments
Performing Basic Arithmetic Operations with Visual BasicPerforming AdditionPerforming Subtraction and NegationPerforming MultiplicationPerforming DivisionPerforming ExponentiationPerforming Modulus ArithmeticDetermining the Order of Operator PrecedenceComparing EqualitiesUnderstanding Boolean LogicUsing the And OperatorUsing the Not OperatorUsing the Or OperatorUsing the Xor OperatorManipulating StringsConcatenating Strings of TextUsing the Basic String FunctionsDetermining the Number of Characters Using Len()Retrieving Text from the Left Side of a String Using Microsoft.VisualBasic.Left()Retrieving Text from the Right Side of a String Using Microsoft.VisualBasic.Right()Retrieving Text Within a String Using Mid()Determining Whether One String Contains Another Using Instr()Trimming Beginning and Trailing Spaces from a StringReplacing Text Within a StringWorking with Dates and TimesUnderstanding the Date Data TypeAdding To or Subtracting From a Date or TimeDetermining the Interval Between Two Dates or TimesRetrieving Parts of a DateFormatting Dates and TimesRetrieving the Current System Date and TimeDetermining Whether a Value Is a DateSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
13. Making Decisions in Visual Basic Code
Making Decisions Using If...ThenExecuting Code When expression Is FalseUsing ElseIf for Advanced Decision MakingNesting If...Then ConstructsEvaluating an Expression for Multiple Values Using Select CaseEvaluating More Than One Possible Value in a Case StatementBuilding a Select Case ExampleCreative Uses of Select CaseBranching Within a Procedure Using GoToSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
14. Looping for Efficiency
Looping a Specific Number of Times Using For...NextInitiating the Loop Using ForClosing the Loop with the Next StatementSpecifying an Increment Value Using StepExiting a Loop EarlyContinuing Looping Before Next Is ReachedCreating a For...Next ExampleUsing Do...Loop to Loop an Indeterminate Number of TimesCreating a Do...LoopEnding a Do...LoopCreating a Do...Loop ExampleSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
15. Debugging Your Code
Adding Comments to Your CodeIdentifying the Two Basic Types of ErrorsUsing Visual Basic’s Debugging ToolsWorking with Break PointsUsing the Immediate WindowWriting an Error Handler Using Try...Catch...FinallyDealing with an ExceptionHandling an Anticipated ExceptionSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
16. Designing Objects Using Classes
Understanding ClassesEncapsulating Data and Code Using ClassesComparing Classes with Standard ModulesCreating an Object InterfaceExposing Object Attributes as PropertiesCreating Readable Properties Using the Get ConstructCreating Writable Properties Using the Set ConstructCreating Read-Only or Write-Only PropertiesExposing Functions as MethodsInstantiating Objects from ClassesBinding an Object Reference to a VariableLate-Binding an Object VariableEarly-Binding an Object VariableCreating a New Object When Dimensioning a VariableReleasing Object ReferencesUnderstanding the Lifetime of an ObjectSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
17. Interacting with Users
Displaying Messages Using the MessageBox.Show() FunctionSpecifying Buttons and an IconDetermining Which Button Is ClickedCreating Good MessagesCreating Custom Dialog BoxesUsing InputBox() to Get Information from a UserInteracting with the KeyboardUsing the Common Mouse EventsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
IV. Working with Data
18. Working with Graphics
Understanding the Graphics ObjectCreating a Graphics Object for a Form or ControlCreating a Graphics Object for a New BitmapWorking with PensUsing System ColorsWorking with RectanglesDrawing ShapesDrawing LinesDrawing RectanglesDrawing Circles and EllipsesClearing a Drawing SurfaceDrawing TextPersisting Graphics on a FormBuilding a Graphics Project ExampleSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
19. Performing File Operations
Using the OpenFileDialog and SaveFileDialog ControlsUsing the OpenFileDialog ControlCreating File FiltersShowing the Open File Dialog BoxUsing the SaveFileDialog ControlManipulating Files with the File ObjectDetermining Whether a File ExistsCopying a FileMoving a FileRenaming a FileDeleting a FileRetrieving a File’s PropertiesGetting Date and Time Information About a FileGetting a File’s AttributesWriting Code to Retrieve a File’s PropertiesManipulating Directories with the Directory ObjectSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
20. Working with Text Files and the Registry
Working with the RegistryUnderstanding the Structure of the Windows RegistryAccessing the Registry with My.Computer.RegistryCreating Registry KeysDeleting Registry KeysGetting and Setting Key ValuesModifying Your Picture Viewer Project to Use the RegistryDisplaying Options from the RegistrySaving Options to the RegistryUsing the Options Stored in the RegistryTesting and Debugging Your Picture Viewer ProjectReading and Writing Text FilesWriting to a Text FileReading a Text FileModifying Your Picture Viewer Project to Use a Text FileCreating the Picture Viewer Log FileDisplaying the Picture Viewer Log FileTesting Your Picture Viewer LogSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
21. Working with a Database
Introducing ADO.NETConnecting to a DatabaseClosing a Connection to a Data SourceManipulating DataUnderstanding DataTablesCreating a DataAdapterCreating and Populating DataTablesReferencing Fields in a DataRowNavigating RecordsEditing RecordsCreating New RecordsDeleting RecordsRunning the Database ExampleSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
22. Controlling Other Applications Using Automation
Creating a Reference to an Automation LibraryCreating an Instance of an Automation ServerManipulating the ServerForcing Excel to Show ItselfCreating an Excel WorkbookWorking with Data in an Excel WorkbookTesting Your Client ApplicationAutomating Microsoft WordCreating a Reference to an Automation LibraryCreating an Instance of an Automation ServerSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
V. Deploying Solutions and Beyond
23. Deploying Applications
Understanding ClickOnce TechnologyUsing the Publish Wizard to Create a ClickOnce ApplicationTesting Your Picture Viewer ClickOnce Install ProgramUninstalling an Application You’ve DistributedSetting Advanced Options for Creating ClickOnce ProgramsSummaryQ&AWorkshopQuizAnswersExercises
24. The 10,000-Foot View
The .NET FrameworkCommon Language RuntimeMicrosoft Intermediate LanguageNamespacesCommon Type SystemGarbage CollectionFurther ReadingSummary

Overview

In just 24 sessions of one hour or less, you will be up and running with Visual Basic 2008. Using a straightforward, step-by-step approach, each lesson builds upon a real-world foundation forged in both technology and business matters, allowing you to learn the essentials of Visual Basic 2008 from the ground up. Step-by-step instructions carefully walk you through the most common questions, issues, and tasks. The Q&A section, quizzes, and exercises help you build and test your knowledge.

By the Way notes present interesting pieces of information. Did You Know? tips offer advice or teach an easier way to do something. Watch Out! cautions advise you about potential problems and help you steer clear of disaster.

Learn how to…

Use the powerful design environment of Visual Studio 2008

Design feature-rich interfaces using components such as tree views and tabs

Create robust applications using modern error-handling

Draw fast graphics using GDI+

Build a database application using ADO.NET

Distribute a Visual Basic 2008 Application

Manipulate the Windows Registry

Create, read, and write text files

Use event-driven techniques to build responsive applications

DVD Includes: Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition

On the Web: Register your book at informit.com/title/9780672329845 for access to author code, examples, updates and corrections as they become available.

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