Visual Basic .NET
Visual Basic .NET is the second series of Microsoft's Visual Basic series. It is sometimes shortened to VB.NET. It is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and it includes an easy 'drag-and-drop' interface. It can make complete programs for Windows very easily.
Background
Visual Basic
It was first released in 1991 by Microsoft. Visual Basic is a simple way to make programs for Windows. It started as Project Ruby by Alan Cooper and then was sold to Microsoft. The system is built loosely on the original BASIC programming language released in 1963 and it can 'Test' programs in real-time, error checking them in a user-friendly way.
.NET Framework
This package is the 'backbone' of Visual Basic .NET. When applications are created, the Windows Installer includes the framework with it. It includes all the items needed to run the VB.NET applications that have been made.
Editions
Visual Basic was first released in May 1991 for Windows. Many versions have been released since then. These are listed below:
| Name | Operating System | Date Released |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Basic .NET | Windows | 2002 |
| Visual Basic .NET 2003 | Windows | 2003 |
| Visual Basic 2005 | Windows | 2005 |
| Visual Basic 2005 Studio | Windows | 2005 |
| Visual Basic 2008 Studio | Windows | 2008 |
| Visual Basic 2010 Studio | Windows | 2010 |
Visual Basic 2010 Express Edition
This is a free version of Visual Basic 2010 released officially from Microsoft. It is aimed at encouraging more newbie programmers to try the series. The program can be downloaded from Microsoft's Website.
Controls
Visual Basic .NET uses many controls which can be added to the forms or windows in the application. Other developers can create controls for applications, not just the ones that Microsoft include.
Examples
The following example makes a program window pop up that says "Hello World" and has a button that says "OK" used to close the window:
Public Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles
button1.Click
MsgBox("Hello World")
End Sub