book

Visual Studio® 2010 All-in-One For Dummies®

Name: Visual Studio® 2010 All-in-One For Dummies®
Author: Rick Leinecker
ISBN: 9780470539439

by Rick Leinecker

June 2010

Beginner

912 pages

18h 27m

English

For Dummies

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Copyright
About the Author
Publisher's Acknowledgments
Introduction
Who Should Read This Book?About This BookFoolish AssumptionsConventions Used in This BookStuff you typeMenu commandsDisplay messagesHow This Book Is OrganizedBook I: Visual Studio 2010 OverviewBook II: Getting Started with Visual StudioBook III: CodingBook IV: Basics of Building Applications with Visual Studio 2010Book V: Getting Acquainted with Data AccessBook VI: Going the Extra MileBook VII: Extending the FamilyAbout the Companion Web SiteIcons Used in This Book
I. Visual Studio 2010 Overview
1. What Is Visual Studio?
1.1. From Source Code to Application: How Software Is Written1.2. The Role of the Integrated Development Environment1.2.1. Tools beyond the basic three1.2.2. Enter Visual Studio1.3. Visual Studio as the Hub1.4. The Keeper of .NET
2. Exploring .NET
2.1. Following the Evolution of .NET2.2. Getting Acquainted with the .NET Components2.2.1. .NET freebies2.2.2. No free lunch2.3. Peering into the Future of .NET
3. Modern Software Development
3.1. Examining the Software Development Process3.2. Looking at Software Engineering in Action3.2.1. Have process, will repeat3.2.2. Practicing what you preach3.2.3. Building a developer's toolbox3.2.4. Working with your partners in development3.3. Components Defeat Monoliths3.3.1. Architecture evolution3.3.2. Component management in .NET3.4. Managed Code Execution3.5. Taking Out the Garbage3.5.1. Allocating memory3.5.2. Releasing memory
4. The Languages of .NET
4.1. More than Just a Pretty Face: A Windows Application4.2. Looking at the Languages of .NET4.2.1. Visual Basic4.2.2. Visual C#4.2.3. Visual C++4.2.4. F#4.3. Choosing the Right Language for the Job4.4. Becoming a Good Programmer4.4.1. Learn the syntax4.4.2. Write your own code
5. The Many Editions of Visual Studio 2010
5.1. Making Sense of the Visual Studio Editions5.1.1. Visual Studio Express Editions5.1.2. Visual Studio Professional5.1.3. Visual Studio Team System5.2. Choosing the Right Edition5.2.1. Subscribing to the Microsoft Developer Network5.2.2. Weighing your options5.3. Developing When It's a Team Effort5.3.1. Managing projects with Team System5.3.2. Architecting software5.3.3. Developing software with Team System5.3.4. Testing with tools5.3.5. Collaborating with Visual Studio Team Foundation

6. New to Visual Studio 2010
6.1. Exploring Additional Programming Paradigms6.1.1. Parallel programming6.1.2. Cloud computing6.2. Reaping the Benefits for Development Teams6.2.1. Enhanced user interface6.2.2. Better development lifecycle management6.2.3. Better programming productivity6.2.4. Better Web development tools6.3. Gaining Databases Support
II. Getting Started with Visual Studio
1. Installing Visual Studio Professional
1.1. Installing Versions Side by Side1.1.1. Taking a look at all the .NETs1.1.2. Getting help from Visual Studio 20101.2. Meeting System Requirements1.3. Stepping through the Installation1.4. Launching Visual Studio for the First Time
2. Browsing Visual Studio
2.1. Making Your Way around Visual Studio2.2. Dealing with Windows Galore2.2.1. Docking windows2.2.2. Working with tabbed documents2.2.3. Managing windows2.3. Building Solutions with Visual Studio 20102.3.1. Using the Solution Explorer to manage solutions and projects2.3.2. Working with solution and project menus2.4. Using the Properties Window2.5. Browsing Servers2.6. Writing Code with the Code Editor2.7. Using the Forms Designer2.8. Taking a Look at Other Designers
3. Making Connections with Visual Studio
3.1. Getting Help3.1.1. Opening and navigating the help documentation3.1.2. Searching and filtering search results3.1.3. Customizing the start page3.2. Staying in Touch with the .NET Community3.2.1. Pursuing certification3.2.2. Viewing Webcasts
4. Upgrading .NET
4.1. Making the Business Case for Upgrading4.1.1. What happens to Visual Studio code in an upgrade?4.1.2. What are alternatives to upgrading?4.1.3. How do you upgrade from pre-.NET languages?4.2. Considering Your Conversion Strategies4.2.1. Converting Windows applications and class libraries4.2.2. Converting Web applications4.2.3. Running Web applications side-by-side4.3. Using Visual Studio 2010 with .NET 2.0
III. Coding
1. Programming with Visual Studio 2010
1.1. Using the Code Editor1.1.1. Simplifying your common tasks1.1.1.1. Managing indents1.1.1.2. Accessing formatting commands1.1.1.3. Searching with Find and Replace1.1.1.4. Getting on task1.1.1.5. Collapsing code1.1.1.6. Using IntelliSense1.1.2. Using visual cues1.1.3. Browsing and navigating code1.2. Exploring Visual Basic and C#1.2.1. Organizing programs1.2.2. Getting started1.2.2.1. Beginning at the beginning: The Main procedure1.2.2.2. Declaring variables and assignment1.2.2.3. Creating classes and working with objects1.2.2.4. Creating executable code1.2.2.5. Members and procedures1.2.2.6. My Visual Basic
2. Understanding Data Types
2.1. The Rules of Data Types2.2. Making a Declaration2.3. The .NET Framework's Common Type System2.3.1. Understanding the type hierarchy2.3.2. Throwing it on the stack or the heap2.3.3. Completing your assignments2.3.4. Popular value types2.3.5. Popular reference types2.4. Creating Your Own Types2.5. When There's More than One2.5.1. Using arrays2.5.2. Using System.Collections2.5.3. Iterating through arrays and collections2.5.4. Collections in the real world2.6. Converting Types2.7. Meet the Nullable Types2.8. Browsing Types2.8.1. Setting the scope2.8.2. Setting the view2.8.3. Viewing data types2.8.4. Viewing source code2.9. Accessing Types in Your Source Code
3. Get Some Class
3.1. Bringing Programs to Life the Object-Oriented Way3.2. What's with Objects?3.2.1. Modeling data with classes3.2.1.1. Create objects to store data3.3. Anatomy of a Class in .NET3.3.1. Inheriting the services of System.Object3.3.2. Using classes in your code3.4. Using Class Designer3.4.1. Exploring Class Designer3.4.2. Designing classes3.4.2.1. Creating a new class3.4.2.2. Adding members to a class3.4.2.3. Adding a new constructor method3.4.2.4. Creating members using the class diagram3.4.2.5. Creating associations3.4.2.6. Generating code3.4.3. Viewing existing classes
4. Wiring Up Events in the User Interface
4.1. Handling Events4.1.1. Discovering events4.1.1.1. Adding a component4.1.1.2. Viewing a list of events4.1.1.3. Looking up event information4.1.2. Wiring up events and event handlers4.1.2.1. Default events4.1.2.2. Nondefault events4.2. Getting a Life Cycle4.2.1. Understanding life cycles in Windows applications4.2.1.1. Startup events4.2.1.2. Shutdown events4.2.1.3. Visual Basic application events4.2.1.4. Handling other events4.2.2. Understanding Web page life cycles4.2.2.1. Maintaining state in ASP.NET4.2.2.2. Handling page requests4.2.2.3. Handling postback events4.2.2.4. Handling application events
5. Getting Productive with Visual Studio 2010
5.1. Sending Your Code to Boot Camp5.1.1. Attending the naming convention5.1.2. Calling all cars! FxCop to the rescue!5.1.2.1. Downloading FxCop with Vista5.1.2.2. Analyzing an assembly5.1.2.3. Dealing with errors5.1.3. Setting up FxCop as an external tool5.2. It's Not Your Father's IntelliSense Any More5.2.1. Using code snippets5.2.2. Stub it out with method stubs5.2.3. Adding using statements5.2.4. Objectifying your code5.2.4.1. Implementing abstract classes5.2.4.2. Implementing interfaces5.2.4.3. Overriding members5.3. Creating XML Documentation5.4. Factoring in the Refactoring5.4.1. Refactoring with Class Designer5.4.2. Refactoring C#
6. Exploring Web Services
6.1. Defining a Web Service6.2. Saying Hello to Web Services6.2.1. Understanding ASP.NET Web services6.2.2. Adding a method6.2.3. Testing Web services6.2.3.1. Sending a GET request6.2.3.2. Sending a POST request6.2.3.3. Testing with SOAP6.3. Consuming a Web Service6.3.1. Communicating with a Web service6.3.2. Finding Web services6.3.3. Using a Web service in your application6.3.3.1. Adding a Web reference6.3.3.2. Binding with BindingSource6.3.3.3. Putting your Web service in a Web application6.3.3.4. Getting on the client side
7. Handling Exceptions and Debugging
7.1. Structured Exception Handling to the Rescue7.1.1. Handling exceptions7.1.1.1. Catching exceptions7.1.1.2. Throwing exceptions7.1.2. Using Visual Studio to manage exceptions7.2. Understanding Debugging7.2.1. Enabling debugging7.2.2. Firing up the Debugger7.2.2.1. Controlling execution7.2.2.2. Breaking execution7.2.2.3. Stepping through code7.2.2.4. Viewing data with the Debugger7.2.3. Exception handling in native C++ applications7.2.4. Debugging for those special circumstances7.2.5. Debugging generated code
8. Testing Code with Visual Studio
8.1. Defining Unit Testing8.2. Unit Testing in Visual Studio8.2.1. Creating unit tests8.2.2. Running a battery of tests8.3. Approaches to Unit Testing8.3.1. Letting stubs do the tough testing8.3.2. Simplifying testing with mocking objects8.3.3. Stubs versus mocks8.4. Automating Tests with Testing Frameworks
IV. Basics of Building Applications with Visual Studio 2010
1. Getting Smart about Smart Clients
1.1. Switching from Fat Clients to Smart Clients1.2. Designing Windows Forms1.2.1. Creating your first smart client project1.2.2. Saying, "Hello world!"1.3. Taking Command from Control Central1.3.1. Introducing the control toolbox1.3.2. Customizing the toolbox1.3.3. Adding controls to your form1.4. Manipulating Controls1.4.1. Formatting controls1.4.2. Seeing the snaplines1.4.3. Locking controls1.4.4. Setting the tab order1.4.5. Access a control's tasks with smart tags1.5. Using the Properties Window1.5.1. Setting properties1.5.2. Responding to events
2. Building Smart Client User Interfaces
2.1. Building the Windows Container2.1.1. Setting common form properties2.1.2. Creating dialog boxes2.1.3. Adding menus and toolbars2.1.3.1. Using a ToolStripContainer2.1.3.2. Controlling styles2.1.4. Creating a Multiple Document Interface2.1.4.1. Taking advantage of visual inheritance2.2. Laying Out Your Controls2.2.1. Grouping controls2.2.2. Setting layout properties2.2.2.1. Anchoring and docking2.2.2.2. Using automatic sizing2.2.2.3. Setting margins and padding
3. Building Visual C++ Applications
3.1. Getting to Know Visual C++3.2. Introducing Visual C++ Templates and Wizards3.3. Saying "Hello, Visual C++"3.3.1. Creating managed applications3.3.2. Creating unmanaged applications3.3.2.1. Using a wizard to create an unmanaged application3.3.2.2. Managing resources3.3.2.3. External dependencies3.3.2.4. Adding new external dependencies3.3.2.5. Linking with external libraries
4. Building Web Applications
4.1. Exploring Microsoft's Web Design and Development Tools4.2. Getting to Know the Visual Web Developer4.2.1. Building better Web applications with ASP.NET4.2.2. Understanding how ASP.NET pages are served4.2.3. Creating Web sites4.3. Saying "Hello, World Wide Web"4.3.1. Viewing ASP.NET syntax4.3.2. Adding content4.4. Working with Web Sites4.4.1. Adding new pages4.4.2. Benefitting from the battle of the server controls4.4.2.1. The syntax4.4.2.2. Web server controls versus HTML server controls4.4.2.3. User controls and custom controls4.4.3. Changing your view4.4.3.1. Straight to the Source (view)4.4.3.2. Code editing4.4.4. Running your Web site4.5. Using Starter Kits
5. Using AJAX for Rich Web Pages
5.1. AJAX Explained: What It Does and Why You Should Consider Using It5.1.1. ASP.NET postback architecture5.1.2. Partial page updates5.1.2.1. How JavaScript interacts in HTML documents5.1.2.2. Using the JavaScript HttpRequest mechanism5.1.2.3. Using the XML Data that is returned5.2. Using AJAX Extensions5.2.1. Creating your first AJAX Web application5.2.2. Adding traditional ASP.NET controls to the form5.2.3. Using AJAX to implement a partial page update pattern5.2.4. Updating controls outside UpdatePanel5.3. Using the AJAX Controls5.3.1. Adding the AJAX Control Toolkit to the Visual Studio toolbox5.3.2. Using AJAX controls from the Toolkit
6. Laying Out Your Web Site
6.1. Keeping Track of Input with Validation Controls6.1.1. Adding a validation control6.1.2. Testing a validation control6.1.3. Handling multiple validation controls6.2. Mapping Out Your Site Navigation6.2.1. Adding a site map6.2.2. Adding navigation controls6.3. Managing Your Site's Appearance with Themes and Master Pages6.3.1. Using themes and skins6.3.1.1. Adding a theme to an existing site6.3.1.2. Adding a theme as a style sheet6.3.1.3. Defining skins6.3.2. Mastering master pages6.3.2.1. Adding content to your master page6.3.2.2. Adding new content pages6.3.2.3. Accessing the master page6.4. Laying Out Web Pages with CSS6.4.1. Introducing CSS basics6.4.2. Adding and creating CSS styles6.4.2.1. Adding a style6.4.2.2. Building a style6.4.3. Creating a page template with CSS6.4.4. Applying styles to controls
7. Exploring ASP.NET Services
7.1. What a Wonderful Provider!7.2. Managing State7.2.1. Understanding view state7.2.2. Using session state7.3. Providing the Perks of Membership7.3.1. Configuring the default database7.3.2. Running a site on IIS7.3.3. Securing membership content7.3.4. Setting up a login page7.4. Getting Personal7.4.1. Saving visitor settings with profiles7.4.2. Letting users customize with Web parts
8. Using Threads and Timers
8.1. Dividing Up Your Work with Threads and Thread Pools8.2. Adding Threads to Your Application8.3. Queuing Your Work Using the .NET Framework Thread Pool8.3.1. Delegating responsibility using delegates8.3.2. Returning data from delegates8.4. Keeping Things on Schedule with Timers
9. Writing Network Applications
9.1. Creating an Application to Access Content on the Web9.2. Creating a Simple Chat Application9.2.1. The Chat Server Application9.2.2. The Chat Client application
10. Parallel Programming
10.1. Introducing the .NET Task Parallel Library10.1.1. Examining data parallelism in the TPL10.1.2. Examining task parallelism in the TPL10.1.2.1. Issuing requests without waiting for a response10.1.2.2. Nesting complex tasks10.2. Exploring Unmanaged C++ Parallel Programming with the Parallel Patterns Library (PPL)10.3. Creating Parallel Queries with Parallel Language Integrated Query (PLINQ)
11. Writing Silverlight Applications
11.1. Getting Started with Silverlight11.1.1. Creating a Silverlight application11.1.2. Adding controls to your application11.2. Creating Content for Web Applications11.2.1. Adding style to your clock11.2.2. Jazzing up your clock's text11.2.3. Displaying the current time11.2.4. Centering the clock's text11.3. Adding Interactive Content to Enhance the Web Experience
12. Programming for the Cloud
12.1. Reaping the Benefits of Cloud Computing12.2. Programming for the Cloud with Visual Studio12.3. Deploying ASP.Net Web Services on the Cloud12.4. Choosing a Web Role12.5. Adding Content to Your Application12.6. Deploying Your Applications on the Cloud
V. Getting Acquainted with Data Access
1. Accessing Data with Visual Studio
1.1. Accessing Data with Visual Studio and .NET1.1.1. Meeting ADO.NET1.1.1.1. Starting at the data source1.1.1.2. Retrieving data from data sources1.1.1.3. Displaying data1.1.1.4. Updating data1.1.2. Exploring the Visual Studio data toolbox1.2. Understanding Databases1.2.1. Introducing relational databases1.2.2. Understanding SQL1.3. Dragging and Dropping Data1.3.1. Preparing your computer to work with data1.3.2. Adding data to Windows applications1.3.3. Adding data to Web Forms
2. Show Me the Data
2.1. Adding Data Access in Windows Applications2.1.1. Working with the Data Sources pane2.1.2. Viewing data source objects2.1.3. Adding data sources2.1.4. Connecting to databases2.1.5. Adding controls from the Data Sources pane2.2. Getting Your Data in a Bind2.2.1. Using BindingSource to connect to other data2.2.2. Using BindingNavigator2.2.3. Binding by using the Binding property2.3. Creating Web Forms That Access Data2.3.1. Meet the controls2.3.1.1. Going to the source2.3.1.2. Using databound Web server controls2.3.2. Customizing layout with templates2.3.3. Working with tasks and properties2.3.3.1. Staying on the same page2.3.3.2. AutoFormatting2.3.4. Updating data with the DataSet Designer2.3.5. Getting the view right with the GridView control2.3.5.1. Sorting and paging2.3.5.2. Editing and deleting2.3.6. Binding to expressions
3. Working with Strongly Typed DataSets
3.1. Understanding the DataSet3.1.1. Discerning typed versus untyped DataSets3.1.2. Working with untyped DataSets3.1.3. Flexing your strongly typed DataSets3.1.4. DataSets and XML, together at last3.2. Creating Typed DataSets3.2.1. Creating a DataSet in a class library3.2.2. Adding typed DataSets to existing projects3.3. Exploring the DataSet Designer3.3.1. Meet the players3.3.2. Building a DataSet of your own3.3.3. Adding database objects3.3.4. Going beyond database tables3.4. Shepherding Data3.4.1. Using the TableAdapter Configuration Wizard3.4.1.1. Generating stored procedures3.4.1.2. Binding to existing stored procedures3.4.2. Using the TableAdapter Query Configuration Wizard3.5. Looking under the Hood of a Strongly Typed DataSet3.5.1. Viewing code3.5.2. Using partial classes3.5.3. Viewing the source3.6. Using a Typed DataSet
4. Working with XML
4.1. Exploring XML4.2. Storing Data the XML Way4.3. Creating a New XML File4.4. Describing Data in an XML Document4.5. Creating an XML Schema4.5.1. Building an XML Schema4.5.2. Using XML snippets4.6. Transforming XML with Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations4.6.1. Writing an XSLT style sheet4.6.2. Linking an XSLT file to another document4.6.3. Staying on the path with XPath4.7. XML and .NET
5. Under the Hood with ADO.NET
5.1. Meet the Players5.2. Picking a Provider5.2.1. Accessing providers5.2.2. Objectifying the providers5.3. Making Connections5.3.1. Connecting to a database5.3.2. Closing your connection5.3.3. Stringing up connections5.3.4. Building connection strings5.3.4.1. Adding connection strings to Windows projects5.3.4.2. Adding connection strings to Web projects5.3.4.3. Building connection strings manually5.3.4.4. Using the ADO.NET connection string builders5.4. Using Commands5.5. Reading Data with DataReaders5.5.1. Stepping through data5.5.2. Retrieving data with the Get accessors5.5.3. Retrieving schema info5.6. Caching Data with DataSets5.6.1. Filling a DataSet5.6.2. Updating data with the Update method5.6.3. Using TableAdapters5.6.4. Using transactions5.7. Supporting XML with ADO.NET5.8. Using ADO.NET in Your Applications
6. Using Visual Studio with SQL Server
6.1. Getting Acquainted with SQL Server 20086.1.1. Installing SQL Server Express Edition6.1.2. Working with the SQL Server tools6.1.3. Using the Adventure Works sample6.2. Creating Database Projects6.2.1. Managing scripts with database projects6.2.1.1. Referencing databases6.2.1.2. Creating scripts6.2.1.3. Using the script editor6.2.1.4. Executing scripts6.2.2. Handling data with SQL Server projects6.2.2.1. Enabling integration with SQL Server 20086.2.2.2. Saying, "Hello, SQL Server"6.2.2.3. Executing CLR routines6.2.2.4. Debugging SQL Server projects6.3. Managing Your Database with Visual Database Tools6.3.1. Using a local database6.3.2. Adding tables with Table Designer6.3.3. Adding queries and views
7. LINQ
7.1. Using LINQ to Query Integers7.2. Finding Active Processes7.3. Creating New Objects in the Query
VI. Going the Extra Mile
1. Building Solutions and Projects
1.1. Understanding Solutions and Projects1.1.1. The anatomy of a build1.1.2. Using the Build menu1.1.3. Selecting the active build and platform1.1.4. Dealing with compiler errors and output1.1.5. Using Configuration Manager1.1.6. Setting project configurations1.1.6.1. Using Project Designer1.1.6.2. Using property pages1.2. Managing Your Builds1.2.1. Handling Lone Ranger builds1.2.2. Creating master builds1.2.3. Automating builds
2. Deployment Options
2.1. Understanding Deployment Basics2.2. Deploying Smart Client Applications2.2.1. From No Touch to ClickOnce2.2.1.1. Accessing the published application2.2.1.2. Checking out your publishing options2.2.1.3. Signing your code2.2.1.4. Updating your applications2.2.2. Making a Windows Installer2.2.2.1. Creating a setup project for an existing application2.2.2.2. Putting the installer to work2.2.2.3. Sharing assemblies2.3. Deploying Web Applications2.3.1. Using the Publish Web Site utility2.3.2. Handling web.config files for testing and production
3. Checking Out Source Control
3.1. Using Source Code Control with Visual Studio3.1.1. How source code control works3.1.2. Getting ready for source control3.2. Binding to a Source Control Provider3.2.1. Adding a blank solution3.2.2. Adding an existing solution3.2.3. Adding a project to an existing solution3.2.4. Breaking a binding3.3. Performing Common Source Control Tasks3.3.1. Retrieving files from source control3.3.2. Editing source-controlled files3.3.3. Checking files into source control3.3.4. Retrieving a solution or project from source control3.4. Source Code Control in the Real World3.5. Going Beyond Integration
4. Writing Custom Facebook Applications
4.1. Creating and Registering Your Application with Facebook4.2. Creating Your Application with Visual Studio 20104.2.1. Writing your application code4.2.2. Connecting your application to Facebook4.2.3. Laying out your application4.3. Querying Data from Facebook4.3.1. Finding out about your friends4.3.2. Accessing weather data for your friend's location4.4. Executing Your Application on Facebook
VII. Extending the Family
1. Exploring Visual Studio Extensions
1.1. Extending Visual Studio1.1.1. Adding administration and troubleshooting tools1.1.2. Downloading new programming tools for Vista and Office1.1.3. Trying out development resources and new server products1.1.4. Keeping up with developer blogs and other news sources1.2. Exploring AJAX and the Atlas Library1.3. Looking Ahead to the Next Visual Studio
2. Being a Team Player with Visual Studio Team System
2.1. Introducing the Visual Studio Team System2.1.1. Implementing VSTS2.1.2. Discovering more about VSTS2.2. Exploring the New Role-Based Features of Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate2.2.1. Visual Studio Ultimate for software architects2.2.2. Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate for software developers2.2.3. Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate for software testers2.2.4. Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate for database professionals2.3. Getting to Know Team Foundation Server2.3.1. Accessing Team Foundation Server2.3.2. Creating a new team project2.3.3. Browsing with the Team Explorer2.3.4. Creating work items with Excel

Content preview from Visual Studio® 2010 All-in-One For Dummies®

Chapter 2. Understanding Data Types

In This Chapter

Declaring variables
Seeing the differences between value types and reference types
Understanding how data types are used in the .NET Framework
Handling more than one variable
Finding data types and using them in your code

The data type you specify for the variable declaration determines everything about how that variable is treated throughout its entire life cycle. This chapter shows the data types available in the .NET Framework and how to create your own data types.

The Rules of Data Types

Data types are the fundamental organizing blocks of code in .NET. Your program can do very little without using data types. If you've never programmed with .NET, you might be thinking of data types in terms of integers and characters. Those are one kind of data type, but other data types are more flexible, sophisticated, and powerful than integers and characters. Examples include classes, structures, and enumerations.

Variables are used to access data that you place in your computer's memory. When you declare a variable, you specify its data type. This is how your computer program knows how to assign meaning to the ones and zeroes that you store in your computer's memory.

From the perspective of the computer, all data is just a set of ones and zeroes. Computer programs apply meaning to those ones and zeroes by using data types. A data type tells your computer how your program can interact with the data and what operations are legal.

Examples of data types ...

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Visual Studio® 2010 All-in-One For Dummies®

by Rick Leinecker

Chapter 2. Understanding Data Types

The Rules of Data Types

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