This updated edition introduces the important aspects of the language and explains the .NET framework. The alphabetical reference covers the functions, statements, directives, objects, and object members that make up the VB .NET language.

Serving as both a fast-paced tutorial and a reference, this guide meets the needs of two primary audiences--programmers who want a quick introduction to using the BCL, and those who want a reference in book form.

Visual Basic .NET is a radically new version of Microsoft Visual Basic, the world's most widely used rapid application development (RAD) package. Whether you are just beginning application development with Visual Basic .NET or are already deep in code, you will appreciate just how easy and valuable the VB.NET Language Pocket Reference is.VB.NET Language Pocket Reference contains a concise description of all language elements by category. These include language elements implemented by the Visual Basic compiler, as well as all procedures and functions implemented in the Microsoft.VisualBasic namespace. Use it anytime you want to look up those pesky details of Visual Basic syntax or usage. With concise detail and no fluff, you'll want to take this book everywhere.

In the tradition of Java in a Nutshell, this book boils down the essentials of VB and VBA, and includes undocumented areas essential to everyday programming.

With the release of the Microsoft .NET platform comes a new version of Visual Basic dramatically unlike its predecessors. So extensive are the changes, in fact, that some VB programmers argue that Visual Basic .NET is an entirely new programming language. In the updated second edition of this popular book, you will find complete documentation for the Visual Basic .NET language. Beginning with a brief overview of the language, VB.NET Language in a Nutshell covers basic programming concepts, and introduces the .NET Framework Class Library and programming with attributes. The bulk of the book consists of an alphabetical reference to Visual Basic .NET statements, procedures, functions, and objects. Each entry has a standardized listing containing the following information: Its syntax, using standard coding conventions Differences in the operation of the keyword in Visual Basic .NET and in VB 6.0 A list of arguments accepted by the function or procedure A description of the data type returned by a function The finer points of a language element?s usage that are often omitted from or blurred over by other sources Tips and warnings that include undocumented behaviors and practical applications for particular language elements An invaluable section for diagnosing or avoiding potential programming problems A cross-reference to related keywords On the CD-ROM (included with print edition of the book) is a plug-in that adds a copy of the book's language reference to the dynamic help within Visual Studio .NET. The plug-in requires any edition of Visual Basic .NET or Visual Studio .NET. No matter how much experience you have programming with VB, you want this book close by, both as a standard reference guide and as a tool for troubleshooting and identifying programming problems.

Praise for The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language "There is no substitute to getting the inside scoop directly from a book written by the father of a programming language such as Bjarne Stroustrup for C++, James Gosling for Java and Alan Cooper for the original version of Visual Basic. Paul Vick, the father of Visual Basic .NET, explains the whys and hows of this exciting new language better than any other human being on the planet." --Ted Pattison, Barracuda.NET "The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language includes nuances that in all my use and study of VB .NET, I haven''t seen discussed anywhere else. For example, I learned that you can use the Imports statement to import an Enum name, so that you needn''t refer to the enum in all its uses. In addition, I learned that the dictionary lookup operator, ''!'', works in VB .NET--I thought this one had been retired. In any case, if you''re searching for a book that covers all the language syntax issues, and more, Paul Vick''s book is a great place to look." --Ken Getz, Senior Consultant, MCW Technologies, LLC "This book is an excellent stepping stone for Visual Basic developers wanting to get their toes wet in the .NET waters. Paul''s presentation of the core topics all VB developers should tackle first is clear, concise, and unlike other books in the genre, does not overwhelm the reader. The VB6 vs. VB.NET task-oriented approach guides you through the new language and OO features, and then moves to basic threading and other CLR topics--as well as to the key points in the COM to .NET transition--in a well thought-out sequence. If you''ve been holding out on VB .NET, this is a great book to get you started." --Klaus H. Probst, Sr. Consultant/Architect, Spherion Technology Services, Microsoft MVP "There is no shortage of VB .NET books in the market, but this is the only book straight from the creators. While that is an excellent reason in itself for reading this book, it is the brevity and clarity of the content, along with the examples, that makes this book a must-have." --Amit Kalani, Developer "Overall, I liked this book and it definitely benefited me. I learned new things I didn''t see anywhere else and I''ll certainly put these to good use in the future. Paul''s book makes a great reference manual for intermediate and advanced VB .NET developers." --Philip Williams, System Engineer, LDC Direct "This book contains a lot of great information I have seen nowhere else and addresses issues that other books do not." --Ethan Roberts, .NET Architect, General Casualty "This book is full of useful information and provides a good historical background for the Visual Basic .NET Language." --Dave Vitter, Technical Lead Developer and author of Designing Visual Basic .NET Applications (Coriolis, 2001) The definitive Microsoft Visual Basic .NET reference--authored by Visual Basic .NET''s lead architect If you want to leverage all of VB .NET''s immense power, get this book. It''s the definitive VB .NET reference and tutorial, and the first Visual Basic book written by one of VB .NET''s lead architects. No other book offers this much behind-the-scenes insight about why VB .NET works the way it does, how it evolved, and how you can make the most of it. The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language is a superb learning tool for new VB .NET programmers and a must-have reference for developers at every level. Paul Vick presents precise language descriptions, essential reference materials, practical insights, and hundreds of code samples, straight from Microsoft''s VB .NET design team. Just some of the features include: A history and overview of Visual Basic''s evolution into VB .NET Complete coverage of the language syntax Transitioning from COM to the CLR and leveraging the .NET platform Runtime functions Taking full advantage of VB .NET''s object-oriented features Notes on style, design, and compatibility throughout the text Notes for the advanced user throughout the text Vick exposes VB .NET''s most powerful capabilities with unprecedented depth and clarity, and packs this book with information you simply won''t find anywhere else. Whether you''re an experienced VB .NET programmer, upgrading from earlier versions of Visual Basic, or coming to Visual Basic and .NET for the first time, you''ll find this book indispensable.

Most Visual Basic .NET books are written for experienced object-oriented programmers, but many programmers jumping on the .NET bandwagon are coming from non-object-oriented languages, such as Visual Basic 6.0 or from script programming, such as JavaScript. These programmers, and those who are adopting VB.NET as their first programming language, have been out of luck when it comes to finding a high-quality introduction to the language that helps them get started.That's why Jesse Liberty, author of the best-selling books Programming C# and Programming ASP.NET, has written an entry-level guide to Visual Basic .NET. Written in a warm and friendly manner, this book assumes no prior programming experience, and provides an easy introduction to Microsoft's most popular .NET language.Learning Visual Basic .NET is a complete introduction to VB.NET and object-oriented programming. This book will help you build a solid foundation in .NET, and show how to apply your skills by using hundreds of examples to help you become productive quickly. Learning Visual Basic .NET introduces fundamentals like Visual Studio .NET, a tool set for building Windows and Web applications. You'll learn about the syntax and structure of the Visual Basic .NET language, including operators, classes and interfaces, structs, arrays, and strings. Liberty then demonstrates how to develop various kinds of applications--including those that work with databases--and web services.By the time you've finished Learning Visual Basic .NET, you'll be ready to move on to a more advanced programming guide that will help you create large-scale web and Windows applications.Whether you have a little object-oriented programming experience or you are new to programming altogether, Visual Basic .NET will set you firmly on your way to mastering the essentials of the VB.NET language.