2-1

Chapter 2

Using VB .NET to

Create a First Solution

2-2

Learning Objectives

Begin using Visual Studio .Net and VB .Net Get familiar with the Microsoft Development

Environment (MDE) Learn to use of forms in VB .Net solutions Understand controls and their properties Learn to use message box

2-3

Learning Objectives (continued)

Get familiar with Code Window to write event handlers

List types of files that make a VB .Net project Save an application code Learn to use help system

2-4

The Microsoft Development Environment (MDE)

Start page– My Profile

Filter option

– New Project A number of types

– Windows application– Class library– Windows Control Library– …

2-5

New Project Dialog Box

2-6

The MDE Interface

2-7

Key elements of the MDE (1)

Project title bar : shows name of project

Menu bar : lets the user choose actions

Toolbar : replicate commonly used menus

Windows buttons : provides instant access to key windows in the MDE

2-8

Key elements of MDE (2)

Toolbox : contains user interface elements (controls) that are placed on forms

Design window : where you drop controls

Solution explorer : shows files for a project or solutions

Task List window : use it for a To Do list

2-9

Setting Options for Development

2-10

Solution Explorer Window

Displays all parts of a solution– The solutions file– The project file(s)– The classes, forms or modules

Button at top allows to switch between code and form display

2-11

Properties window

Displays the properties for selected object

Allows access to properties at “design time”

Use combobox at the top to change the object

2-12

Step-by-Step 2-1: Starting a project

Demo

2-13

Form properties

Name : the name of the variable referring to the form in code (use a

name starting with frm to indicate it refers to a form object

Text : the caption in the title bar AcceptButton : the default button CancelButton : corresponds to Esc key

2-14

Startup object

2-15

Step-by-Step 2-2 Creating a form

Demo

2-16

Adding controls to a form

To create the “visual” interface of application, click controls in toolbox and “draw” them on the form.

Types of controls Label PictureBox Button

2-17

Label control

Used to display text programmatically User cannot change the text directly Properties

– Name (use lbl prefix)– Text– Font– Autosize– …

2-18

PictureBox control

Used to display a picture Some Properties

– Name (use pic prefix)– Image– SizeMode

Normal StretchImage AutoSize CenterImage …

2-19

Button control

The obvious place to click for some action! Some properties

– Name (use btn prefix)– Text– Font– ….

2-20

Step-by-Step 2-3 Adding controls

Demo

2-21

Adding code

Develop the logic for the action objects

Choose a control Double click on it Code window shows up with a stub for the event

procedure Choose the right event in methods List Box Write the code for the event handler

This is called an Event Procedure

2-22

The Editor Window

2-23

Simple use of MsgBox( )

It displays a message (the first argument) in a dialog box

Can accept more arguments to determine– Text in the title bar of dialog box– What icons are displayed in the dialog box– What buttons are available in the dialog box

Can return value indicating what button was clicked

2-24

Testing code

Test run the application by– Clicking the Start button– Choosing menu Debug|Start– Pressing F5

You are now in Run Time

2-25

Stop testing

You can stop by– Doing whatever will get your application to exit– Clicking the Stop button– Choosing Debug|Stop Debugging menu – Pressing Shift + F5

2-26

Ste-by-Step 2-5: Adding code to button

Demo

2-27

Files in VB .NET

Solution file (*.sln) Project file (*.vbproj) Form file (*.vb) Resource file (*.resx) AssemblyInvo.vb Folders

– Bin– Object

2-28

Changing file names

For solution or project file– Right click in solution explorer– Select Rename option

For a form file– Use File menu– Save Form1.vb as … option

2-29

Step-by-Step 2-6 Saving a project

Demo

2-30

Using VB .NET Help

Four types of help Help menu option Dynamic help Web-based help Auto help

2-31

Help menu Options

Dynamic Help Contents Index Search

2-32

Step-by-Step 2-7 Using Help in VB .NET

Demo

2-33

Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted in section 117 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without express permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Request for further information should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The purchaser may make back-up copies for his/her own use only and not for distribution or resale. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages caused by the use of these programs or from the use of the information herein