Faster Smarter Beginning Programming

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