Programming Visual Basic 2008: Build .NET 3.5 Applications with Microsoft's RAD Tool for Business

by Tim Patrick

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

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-focused software 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.

780 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2008

About the author

Tim Patrick is an author, software architect, and lover of history. He has published a dozen books, mostly on technology topics, and is a regular magazine contributor. As the founder and host of the Well-Read Man Project, he spent years offering regular commentary on current events, politics, history, and books old and new.

For more than three decades, Tim has spent each day developing custom software applications for small- and medium-sized businesses. Way back in 2007, Microsoft welcomed Tim into its Most Valuable Professional (MVP) program thanks to the assistance he provides to beginning and intermediate developers. He earned his computer science degree from Seattle Pacific University, and began work on his very first book while sitting in a class at that prestigious institution.