VB.NET Soup-to-Nuts Webcast: Class Libraries

Am currently listening to Ron Cundiff's webcast (#3 of 22!) on Visual Basic .NET: Class Libraries.

This is a Microsoft Office Live Meeting (free training). This is a 200-level 1 hour lecture. Might be a bit below me, but it's always good to "fill the gaps."

I'm going to ask the following question: "I have been a VB programmer for years, and recently bowed to peer pressure and created my first C# app. What's the fuss about? Why is C# seen as something special? I couldn't find any extra features to give C# its reputation as a more robust programming language."

(Private Answer: nah, it's mostly because of the c/c++ programmers, and it's the most commonly used language in college...)

• Demo

  • Go to http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework for free downloads.

  • .NET Framework 3.0 is now available.

  • The Software Development Kit (SDK) is necessary to create .NET applications.

  • You must install the Framework first.

  • The SDK comes with QuickStart Tutorials.

  • The CLR Debugger is the heart of the .NET Framework. This is what runs your apps.

  • The System namespace has a manifest (observable from the IL DASM) which references multiple external assemblies.
• Namespaces
  • a way to have a unique library name
  • Separated by "." notation
• System namespace
  • is the top-level namespace
  • contains all base objects
  • data types
• Other System.* Namespaces
  • Divided by functional area
  • System.Web
  • System.Windows
  • System.Data
  • System.Xml
  • System.Configuration
• My Namespace
  • New in Microsoft(R) Visual Basic(R) 2005
  • Speed-dial into commonly used functions (e.g. My.Computer.Clock = Microsoft.VisualBasic.Devices.Clock)
  • Reduces the amount of code you have to write
  • Discoverable through IntelliSense(R)
  • Reduces the amount time spent researching base classes or application programming interfaces (APIs)
• Custom Class Libraries
  • User-defined namespaces
  • Contain functions
  • Add references
  • "Imports" statement
  • Are used just like System.* classes
• Session Summary
  • Assemblies
  • Namespaces
  • System namespace
  • Other system.* namespaces
  • Custom class libraries