Faster Smarter Beginning Programming

Author Jim Buyens Pages 352 Disk N/A Level Beginner Published 11/13/2002 ISBN 9780735617803 Price $19.99 To see this book's discounted price, select a reseller below.	More Information About the Book Table of Contents Sample Chapter Index Related Series About the Author Support: Book & CD Rate this book

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
CHAPTER 1:   Introducing Basic Concepts	1
How Program Code and Data Occupy Memory	2
Appreciating Data Types	4
High-Level Languages	5
The Concept of Layered Software	7
Structured Programming Constructs	9
Top-Down Design	15
Subroutines and Functions	17
Processing Events	19
Classes and Objects	20
Key Points	21
CHAPTER 2:   Introducing Microsoft Visual Basic .NET	23
Preparing Your System	24
Preparing for .NET Windows Applications	24
Preparing for .NET Web Applications	25
Sizing Your Computer	26
Obtaining Visual Basic .NET	26
Installing Visual Basic .NET	27
Easing into Visual Basic .NET	29
Manipulating Visual Studio Windows	33
Help, More Help, and Beyond Help	34
Understanding Visual Basic .NET Syntax	36
Writing and Running Your First Program	39
Key Points	48
CHAPTER 3:   Using Elementary Statements	51
Using Data Types	52
Using Literals	53
Using Variables	54
Using Constants	56
Option Explicit and Option Strict	58
Working with Arrays	60
Scoping Out Variables	62
Writing Decision Statements	63
Writing Loops	65
Coding Loops with Do.Loop Statements	65
Coding Loops with For.Next Statements	66
Coding Loops with While.End While Statements	68
Example: Writing a Tape Calculator	68
Key Points	75
CHAPTER 4:   Using Operators and Expressions	77
Introducing Operators	78
Forming Expressions	78
Using Arithmetic Operators	80
Converting Numeric Types	81
Using Assignment Operators	82
Using Compound Operators	83
Understanding Type Conversion	83
Assigning Reference Variables	85
Using Comparison Operators	88
Comparing Numbers	88
Comparing Strings	89
Using the Like Operator	90
Getting It Together with Concatenation Operators	92
Using Logical Operators	92
Using Short-Circuited Operators	93
Using Bitwise Operators	94
Using Miscellaneous Operators	95
Testing Operators and Expressions	95
Key Points	99
CHAPTER 5:   Using Functions and Subroutines	101
Introducing Functions and Subroutines	101
Coding Your Own Functions and Subroutines	102
Declaring Arguments	103
Passing Arguments by Value	104
Passing Arguments by Reference	106
Sidestepping Arguments	108
Specifying Return Values	109
Exiting Functions and Subroutines	112
Functions, Subroutines, Variables, and Scope	112
Designing Functions and Subroutines Effectively	114
Example: Writing a Four-Function Calculator	114
Key Points	118
CHAPTER 6:   Using Built-In Functions	119
Finding Built-In Functions	119
Using Type Conversion Functions	124
Logical Functions	124
Manipulating Dates	126
Manipulating Strings	129
Using Array Functions	132
Generating Random Numbers	133
Example: Shuffling Cards	134
Initialize the Deck	134
Shuffle the Cards	138
Key Points	142
CHAPTER 7:   Creating Classes and Objects	143
The Deal with Objects	144
A Touch of Class	144
Scrupulous Methods	144
Desirable Properties	145
Matters of Scope	146
Creating Objects from Classes	147
Example 1: Shuffling with Class	148
Construction and Destruction	151
Using Property Procedures	153
Using Structures	156
Trying Times and Exceptional Results	157
Example 2: Shuffling with Property Procedures	160
Form1.vb	163
Deck.vb	164
Key Points	165
CHAPTER 8:   Using Classes, Modules, and Forms	167
Using .NET Framework Classes	168
Finding .NET Methods and Classes	168
Referencing Namespaces	172
Importing Namespaces	173
Making the Most of Objects and Classes	174
Inheritance (and Not from Uncle Otto)	174
Overloading and Polymorphism	175
Events (i.e., Getting a Raise)	177
Using Forms	180
Using Modules	183
Example: Dealing Cards	183
Creating the Main Form	184
Displaying the Player Forms	185
Moving the Player Forms	188
Declaring a Deck of Cards	189
Dealing the Cards	190
Ending the Game	192
Playing a Card	193
Key Points	200
CHAPTER 9:   Designing and Using Windows Forms	201
Designing User Interfaces	202
Setting Form and Control Properties	204
Using Message Boxes	206
Finding and Creating Icons	208
Example: Creating a Picture Viewer	209
Creating the Picture Viewer Form	209
Creating the Picture Viewer Icons	211
Configuring the Form and Toolbar Icons	213
Specifying Assembly Information	216
Responding to File Exit and Help About Events	218
Displaying a Picture File	219
Copying a Picture to the Clipboard	224
Displaying a Picture from the Clipboard	225
Making the Toolbar Buttons Work	225
Key Points	229
CHAPTER 10:   Interacting with Windows Form Controls	231
Form Control Categories	232
Adding and Arranging Form Controls	234
Working with Control Properties	236
Achieving Positions of Control	236
Oohs, Ahs, and Size	236
Amazing Disappearing Form Control Tricks	237
Tabs, Tab Orders, and TabIndex (But No Tab Dancing)	238
Working With Text Boxes, Check Boxes, and Radio Buttons	239
Working with List Boxes	239
Coping with Single-Selection List Boxes	241
Coping with Multiple-Selection ListBoxes	242
Adding and Removing ListBox Entries From Code	243
Responding to Windows Form Control Events	244
Staging Keyboard Events	245
Snapshotting Focus Events	249
Listening for Click Events	251
Reacting to Mouse Events	252
Example: Reporting Crocodiles	254
Creating the Crocodile Form	255
Validating the Input Fields	259
Writing the Output Record	265
Key Points	274
CHAPTER 11:   Accessing Databases	275
SQL Concepts and Syntax	278
Retrieving Data with the SELECT Statement	278
Coding the SELECT Clause	279
Coding the FROM Clause	280
Coding the WHERE Clause	280
Coding the GROUP BY Clause	281
Coding the HAVING Clause	281
Coding the ORDER BY Clause	281
Adding Data with the INSERT Statement	281
Changing Data with the UPDATE Statement	282
Removing Data with the DELETE Statement	283
Introducing ADO.NET	283
Opening and Closing ADO.NET Connections	284
Using Command Objects	287
Using Data Readers	289
Using the DataAdapter, DataSet, and DataTable Objects	290
Displaying and Updating a Database	294
Key Points	300
CHAPTER 12:   Programming Web Forms	301
Introducing the Web	302
Creating Web Projects	303
Examining a New ASP.NET Web Application	305
Designing Web Forms	307
The Life Cycle of an ASP.NET Page	309
Adding Controls to a Web Form	311
Using HTML Server Controls	311
Using Web Server Controls	313
Responding to Web Form Events	314
Exchanging Data with the Web Visitor	316
Testing Your Web Project	317
Example: Date Evaluator	319
Creating a Visual Web Page Design	319
Add the Code Behind the Date Evaluator Web Page	321
Key Points	323
INDEX	325

Last Updated: October 29, 2002

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