Introduction

Before we dig into the details of Visual Basic .NET, let s take a look at an overview of all the changes and new features. This new release is a significant change from the previous version. It will take some effort to get used to, but I am sure you will feel that the new features will make it worthwhile. Visual Basic .NET is more than just an upgrade from Visual Basic 6.0. As you would expect, the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) has been enhanced with some new features. All of the Visual Studio development tools will now share the same environment. For example, you will no longer need to learn a different IDE when switching between Visual Basic and Visual C++. Some nice features have been added that many of us have been asking for to ease development.

Visual Studio .NET is now built on top of the .NET Framework. This will be a significant change from Visual Basic 6.0. The .NET Framework takes application development to viewing the Internet as your new operating system. Your applications will no longer recognize hardware as a boundary limitation. This is an evolution of the Windows DNA model. This new framework is built on open Internet protocols for a standardized interoperability between platforms and programming languages. The .NET Framework will also allow the creation of new types of applications. Applications will now run using the Common Language Runtime (CLR). All .NET applications will use this same runtime environment, which allows your Visual...