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Beginning VB Net From Novice to Professional
Beginning VB Net From Novice to Professional
Even if you have just a little background in programming, or you are a relatively inexperienced programmer and wish to move away from language unsupportive of object-oriented programming techniques&emdash;this book will suit you! The text is relevant to Framework issue 1.1, and applicable for readers with VS .NET or VB .NET Standard Edition.
Renowned authors Gary Cornell and Matthew MacDonald provide clear explanations and hands-on examples of VB .NET language, from the ground up. This includes designing and writing object/component driven programs, .NET programming fundamentals, working with Windows forms and controls; accessing files and databases, and writing web applications. The authors also look ahead to VB .NET 2005&emdash;suggesting possible changes to the language and how to accommodate future applications.
Programming Visual Basic 2008 Build NET 3 5 Applications with Microsofts RAD Tool for Business
Programming Visual Basic 2008 Build NET 3 5 Applications with Microsofts RAD Tool for Business

Ever since Visual Basic was merged into .NET, it’s become the core language for creating business applications with Windows. The latest version, VB 2008, is even more useful — and provides even more incentive for migrating from VB 6. All it lacks is a good book on how to harness its power. Programming Visual Basic 2008 fills the void. Written in a lively and engaging style by a developer who’s grown up with Visual Basic, including both VB 6 and VB .NET, this hands-on guide addresses the core topics of the new VB, from basic to complex, with plenty of code examples. Programming Visual Basic 2008 also examines .NET programming from the application level with a chapter-by-chapter plan for developing, documenting, and deploying a full data-driven application. You learn, step-by-step, how to build and deploy a library management system, complete with patron, inventory, and barcode support. The book’s broad range of topics include: VB language and its syntax An overview of the .NET Framework Object-oriented development in VB and .NET Generic objects, collections, and nullable types Design and management of software projects Integrating desktop features with Windows Forms Database design with SQL Server 2008 Database interface design with ADO.NET The new LINQ feature, and how to use it within VB and .NET Embedding XML within application source code Encryption and authentication in .NET Interacting with data stored in files and directories Web development using ASP.NET Deploying an application to a user’s workstation And much more Programming Visual Basic 2008 is ideal for VB 6 programmers who are ready to move to .NET, as well as VB.NET programmers who wish to improve their project-focusedsoftware development skills. Programming novices and developers coming from other languages will find the book valuable because of its language instruction and project design knowledge. Once you finish the book, you will have a firm grasp of VB 2008’s core concepts and language elements, and understand how to build VB projects as they were intended — as complete, cohesive solutions.
Building Websites with VB NET and DotNetNuke 4
Building Websites with VB NET and DotNetNuke 4

DotNetNuke is an open-source Content Management System and web application framework. DotNetNuke has taken the Microsoft world by storm and now at version 4, its community has grown to over 200,000 users. This book covers virtually everything you need to know to get your DotNetNuke website up and running. Concisely written and with clear explanations, this book is covers installation, administration, deployment, site creation and all of the basic built in DotNetNuke modules. For developers, chapters on the core architecture, skinning and custom modules, including coverage of the DAL+, give you the skills to customize and extend your site. The book starts off by giving you a deep understanding of working with basic DotNetNuke sites, guiding you through the features and giving you the confidence to create and manage your site. After that, you will journey to the heart of DotNetNuke, and learn about its core architecture. Always concise, relevant and practical, you will find out what makes DotNetNuke tick, and from there, you will be ready to customize DotNetNuke. Developers will enjoy the detailed walkthrough of creating a new custom modules. Special emphasis is given to the DAL+, an extended feature set of the DotNetNuke Data Access Layer (DAL). You will see how to create custom modules with the DAL+, and invigorate your module development. Web designers will enjoy the material on skinning, helping them to create a new look for their site. You will learn about creating new skins, and packaging them up for easy deployment. You will master all of this as you leap into the development of a DotNetNuke 4 site. This book will give you the skills to create and manage DotNetNuke websites as quickly as possible. You will:
- Install and configure DotNetNuke
- Master the standard modules
- Understand the core architecture of DotNetNuke
- Explore the inner workings of DotNetNuke modules
- Extend DotNetNuke using the DAL and DAL+ to create powerful custom modules
- Create your own skin using a HTML Editor
- Find out about where and how to host and deploy your site
You can use this book to help you set up and administer a DotNetNuke portal, even if you have a limited knowledge of ASP.NET. You will learn how to setup and administer an example site, stepping through all the tasks to ease your learning. If you are a developer, this book will help you extend the DotNetNuke portal by first helping you understand how the core framework works and then show you how to create custom modules and skins. A rudimentary knowledge of VB.NET programming is assumed, but the emphasis is not on becoming a better VB.NET programmer but on taming DotNetNuke. This book has been written for both the beginner wanting to set up a website and also ASP.NET developers with a grasp of VB.NET who want a deeper understanding of how to work with DotNetNuke. To work with the DotNetNuke code, you will need access to Visual Web Developer Express or Visual Studio .NET 2005. No prior knowledge of DotNetNuke is assumed.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Best of the Worst
I give it 3 stars because it seems like it is the best of the worst. This is the first DNN book I came across that didn’t have a poor review. It touches on a number of subjects but doesn’t really cover anything in great depth. If you are determined to buy a book on DNN then I would suggest this book since all of the others I found had poor reviews and everybody said most of the books were spent talking about the history of DNN rather than how to use it, however I would urge you not to waste your money on this one either. You can get just as much out of the online documentation. The example code is not explained very generally. Function calls are made but not explained. It is apparently up to the reader to look up in the documentation what functions are available and how they are used. Of course if you are going to do that then you don’t really need this book. Just read the documentation.
5 Stars Excellent book for new DNN users
I read the reviews for a lot of DNN books and decided to get this one. I was not disappointed. The book takes you through the process of building a site and though they occasionally skip small steps, do a very good job. The section on developing your own modules is well written as well and again is demonstrated with specific steps.
Highly recommended!
1 Star Thumbs Down
I’m about a half-fast programmer, so I found the free pdf download of Chapter 7 (Custom Module Development).
I’m glad I did, because after 3 attempts, I’m still not able to get the example working.
I saved myself ~$50.00.
My advice would be to keep looking…
2 Stars Core info good, but…
Who lets these people get away with such crappy writing style?! From page 275, on creating custom skins: “Imagine that a close friend is in dire need of a creative individual to help build a new home. Since you are a close friend and have the utmost faith in your creative ability, you approach your friend and agree to lend a hand.”
Imagine that you are a writer in desperate need of an illustration and you contrive something like the above. You have just written something that does not relate to your core audience (geeks, folks! Not Martha Stewarts…) and is pedantic in the bargain. Editors, PLEASE tell your writers that when they can’t come up with good illustrations they shouldn’t force bad ones on their readers. It’s better simply to dive into the material, unencumbered.
Helpful core information, though.
MCAD MCSD Training Guide 70 305 Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Visual Basic NET and Visual Studio NET Training Guide

The authoritative solution to passing the 70-305 exam! * Mike Gunderloy is a leading authority on MCSD and VB.NET. * Training Guides are the most effective self-study guide in the marketplace, featuring exam tips, review exercises, case studies, practice exams, ExamGear testing software, and more. * Subjected to rigorous technical review by a team of industry experts, ensuring content is superior in both coverage and technical accuracy. This ebook does not include the CD that accompanies the print edition.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars MCAD/MCSD Training Guide (70-305): Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Visual Basic.NET and Visual Studio.NET by M
Very good. I recd. the book on time and condition the book was excellent…
5 Stars gives you what you want..
To start with, this is the only book i read for the exam.
The objective questions at the end of each chapter, are exactly in the format that they appear in the exam. It helps you a lot in having the right mind-set, when you actually face it.
The exam covers exactly the same topics, that are emphasized in the book.
5 Stars Helped me pass the exam
This book is very well organized, has good examples, and is based very closely on the exam objectives. I had co-workers who used the Microsoft (red) books and didn’t like them who switched to this one and were much happier. Studying this book and using a Transcender practice test enabled me to pass the 305 exam. Recommended.
2 Stars Just doesn’t do it for me.
I have read plenty of programming books… ok skimmed. I really wish there was a training guide out there that would show real world scenarios. I didn’t care for the examples in this book. I learn best by doing. When I do the work I really wish I could relate using the code in my job. That would assist me in learning it more. The whole cram the book then take the test doesn’t work for me.
3 Stars A valuable book with shortcomings
This is a valuable book, it explained topics which were missing in some other books. In the other hand, the previous reviews did not mention some shortcomings in this book. The OOP part of this book is not good. The language in many parts of this book is ambiguous, it lures people to read these parts again and again, but after that the meaning is still not clear, while this repeated reading of such a big book wastes time. The sample code in this book is not available for download, although they are in the CD, but the CD is made in a mean way that the “copy” function is disabled, so this book is not good for busy people.
Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell In a Nutshell OReilly
Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell In a Nutshell OReilly

When Microsoft made Visual Basic into an object-oriented programming language, millions of VB developers resisted the change to the .NET platform. Now, after integrating feedback from their customers and creating Visual Basic 2005, Microsoft finally has the right carrot. Visual Basic 2005 offers the power of the .NET platform, yet restores the speed and convenience of Visual Basic. Accordingly, we’ve revised the classic in a Nutshell guide to the Visual Basic language to cover the Visual Basic 2005 version and all of its new features.
Unlike other books on the subject, Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition doesn’t assume you’re a novice. It’s a detailed, professional reference to the Visual Basic language-a reference that you can use to jog your memory about a particular language element or parameter. It’ll also come in handy when you want to make sure that there isn’t some “gotcha” you’ve overlooked with a particular language feature.
The book is divided into three major parts: Part I introduces the main features and concepts behind Visual Basic programming; Part II thoroughly details all the functions, statements, directives, objects, and object members that make up the Visual Basic language; and Part III contains a series of helpful appendices. Some of the new features covered include Generics, a convenient new library called My Namespace, and the operators used to manipulate data in Visual Basic.
No matter how much experience you have programming with Visual Basic, you want Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition close by, both as a standard reference guide and as a tool for troubleshooting and identifying programming problems.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Clear and concise with great examples
This is a fantastic reference book for VB prorgrammers. The examples are great. They aren’t too long and get right to the point of what they are trying to illustrate. The organization is perfect and the writing is crisp.
It’s hard to compete with the convenience of the MSDN. But sometimes the MSDN is tough to navigate and it’s just easier to pick up a book and find what you are looking for. And the book you pick up should be this book.
5 Stars Fantastic Desktop Reference
Visual Basic 2005 In A Nutshell is a wonderful companion reference for any and all VB developers. With the new features in the 2005 version of VB, this guide is a great book to have by your side when you are working on your latest Visual Basic application.
Packed with nearly 750 pages of reference material, this is a great books that is written well, without too much bloat (just the way I like it). The first 150 pages cover the basics of using the VB language, the next 300 is reference for keywords, classes, functions, etc, and the 300 page or so covers the ‘My’ reference (VERY IMPORTANT) and other odds and ends of the language.
I love the Nutshell books because they cut through the muck and get right to the point. The size of the books make them perfect for keeping by your side, and that familiar brown coloring scheme makes them easy to see on your shelf.
If you program VB, pick this book up, it will truly make your life easier!
***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
4 Stars A Very Good Book
I’ve always missed the printed help manuals that used to come with development tools. I used to carry them around with me and browse through them whenever I had a bit of time. So I was happy to read this book, which has a nice big PRINTED reference section. There are several sections that cover various topics such as object orientation, data types, delegates & events, operators, and so on. The book also covers the new features of Visual Basic 2005, such as operator overloading and generics. My favorite part is the section on the My namespace. Cool stuff.
This is mainly a reference book. The authors did a very good job of also making this a readable book. That’s a rare feat.
Bottom line: this book is a keeper, and will be sitting on my bookshelf at work.
4 Stars Good reference if you have some VB experience
This book is a really good reference. It has made me much more efficient. It has good information of the new features of VB 2005. It has several chapters on the basics of VB as well as advanced features such as generics and attributes. I would definitely recommend buying it if you are already familiar with VB and want a good reference book for VB 2005. I try not to program without it within arms reach
2 Stars It says it’s for the beginner… that would be incorrect.
Despite the perception that Visual Basic should be something to learn out of a book, despite the perception that this book gives (inasmuch as it states that the book is designed for someone who wants to learn Visual Basic .net as their first language) this hardly deals with the practical applications of the program and deals more with syntax.
If I had to compare it with something, I’d say it was like being handed all of the components of a car– new, shiny, efficient, and much assembly required. The book was a real let-down in the sense I thought I’d be buying a tutorial and ended up with a paperweight. It gets two stars because it frankly IS a good desk reference if you have the program and several other tutorial books which do what this book had initially promised.
