A Programmer's Introduction To Visual Basic.net

00 2203-x FM 5/25/01 9:57 AM Page i Dear Reader, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the rationale behind this book showing up on your shelf for free. Quite some time ago, Sams Publishing determined that the next big thing to hit the programmer/developer community would be Microsoft’s Visual Studio.NET and the .NET Framework. After discussions with many of you, our authors and key Microsoft team members, Sams dedicated itself to a strategy that would support your efforts to learn the .NET Framework as efficiently and as quickly as possible. A Programmer’s Introduction to Visual Basic.NET is the perfect example of how our strong relationship with Microsoft and our dedication to bringing you authors who are already respected sources in the community successfully blend and show that Sams Publishing is the source for .NET learning. Bringing you a Beta2 compliant book by May 2001 was not an easy task. Sams called upon a respected author, Craig Utley, to take on this project. Craig holds a unique place in the VB community where he has been developing in VB since version 1.0. He brings years of experience as a trainer, writer, and speaker to this project and gives you the solid reference you need to make the transition from VB to VB.NET. I hope this book gives you the tools you need to begin to learn VB.NET. I invite your comments and ideas as I work to make Sams the publisher you look to as your .NET learning resource. On behalf of all of the Sams Publishing team, Paul Boger Publisher Sams Publishing E-mail Mail [email protected] Paul Boger Publisher Sams Publishing 201 West 103rd Street 00 2203-x FM 5/25/01 9:57 AM Page iii Craig Utley A Programmer’s Introduction to Visual Basic.NET 201 West 103rd Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 USA 00 2203-x FM 5/25/01 9:57 AM Page iv A Programmer’s Guide to Visual Basic.NET EXECUTIVE EDITOR Shelley Kronzek Copyright © 2001 by Sams Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. DEVELOPMENT EDITOR Kevin Howard MANAGING EDITOR Charlotte Clapp PROJECT EDITOR Carol Bowers COPY EDITOR Michael Henry International Standard Book Number: 0-672-32203-X INDEXER Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001087650 Eric Schroeder Printed in the United States of America TECHNICAL EDITOR First Printing: May 2001 Boyd Nolan 04 03 02 01 4 3 2 1 TEAM COORDINATOR Pamalee Nelson Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Sams Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark. Warning and Disclaimer Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis.