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Training Resources

Current Training Schedule

Class Registration Form

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Application Development with VB.NET 2008

5 day course

View Detailed Outline in PDF Format
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In this course you will learn how to use Visual Studio 2008 and VB.NET 2008 to build Windows applications to run on the .NET 3.5 platform. Visual Studio 2008 adds a large set of new functionality for the Visual Studio developer. From new language features, including LINQ (Language Integrated Query) and new client-side data support, Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 make it easier than ever to create robust, enterprise-level applications. In this course, you will begin with the basics, becoming familiar with Windows Forms and Windows Forms controls and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). You will learn how to access data using ADO.NET, how to take advantage of data binding features, and you will explore the range of controls and components provided by Visual Studio. You will also learn how to build solid applications using structured exception handling, how to use the Visual Studio debugging features, how to use MenuStrip and ToolStrip controls, and how to add unprecedented flexibility to your user interfaces using the container controls.

Course Topics:

(for a full detailed outline, visit our PDF link above)

Introduction to Windows Forms

  • .NET does Windows
  • Adding controls to a form
  • A peek behind the scenes
  • Adding event handling code
  • Adding a menu to the form
  • Adding non-graphical components

Taking Advantage of the Form Event Model

  • How Visual Basic handles events
  • Exploring form and control events

Common Windows Forms Controls

  • Label, TextBox, and Button
  • CheckBox and RadioButton
  • ComboBox, ListBox, and CheckedListBox
  • LinkLabel, NumericUpdown, PictureBox, ProgressBar

Exception Handling

  • Perspectives on exception handling
  • Getting started with exception handling
  • Catching specific exceptions
  • Raising errors
  • Running code unconditionally
  • Handling unhandled exceptions
  • Creating exception classes

Working with Strings and Dates

  • Basic .NET data types
  • Working with text: The String Class
  • Working with dates and times

Accessing Data

  • Overview of ADO.NET
  • Connecting to data
  • Executing commands
  • Working with data
  • Choosing an ADO.NET provider

Introduction to LINQ

  • LINQ syntax
  • LINQ SQL
  • LINQ DataSets
  • LINQ to XML

Data Binding Techniques

  • Data binding basics
  • Creating a data source
  • Creating data-bound forms
  • Data binding components and controls
  • Displaying data from related tables
  • Enforcing referential integrity
  • Displaying data from lookup tables
  • Adding search capabilities to a form
  • Filtering by values from a lookup table
  • Data validation
  • Working with local data

Using the Data Controls

  • Data controls
  • The BindingNavigator control
  • The BindingSource component
  • The DataGridView control
  • The ReportViewer control

Introduction to WPF

  • Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
  • Investigating XAML and the WPF Designer
  • Introducing content and grid controls

Revisiting WPF

  • Laying out the application
  • Creating the MoviePlayer control
  • Creating a data source and hook up data binding
  • Adding a data converter and a data template

Handling Input/Output Tasks

  • Introducing the System.IO namespace
  • Selecting files
  • Browsing for folders
  • Handling path information
  • Working with directories and files
  • Using stream-based objects to read and write file contents

Project Settings in Visual Studio

  • The Project Designer
  • Application properties
  • Compilation properties
  • Debugging properties
  • Project references
  • Project resources
  • Project settings

Debugging Your Applications

  • Debugging applications
  • Setting breakpoints and stepping through code
  • Debugging code in assemblies
  • Evaluating variables and objects
  • Edit and continue
  • Tracing applications
  • Unit testing

Menus and Toolbars

  • Introducing the ToolStrips
  • Working with the ToolStrips

Container Controls

  • Introducing container controls
  • Grouping controls with the GroupBox control
  • Introducing the panel control
  • Displaying multiple panels with the
  • SplitContainer control
  • Laying out panels with the TabControl control
  • Simple layout using the FlowLayoutPanel control
  • Advanced layout using the TableLayoutPanel control

Complex Windows Forms Controls

  • Introducing complex controls
  • NotifyIcon control
  • WebBrowser control
  • MaskedTextBox control
  • RichTextBox control
  • TreeView and ListView controls
  • MonthCalendar and DateTimePicker controls

Working with My Namespace

  • The My Namespace
  • My.Application
  • My.Computer
  • My.User
  • My.Forms
  • My.Resources
  • My.Settings
  • My.WebServices