What is VB.Net

VB.Net is the latest version of Microsoft's Visual Basic language, designed to run within the .Net framework.
The .NET Framework is a new programming model designed to simplify application development in the highly distributed environment of the Internet. Software running on the .NET Framework can communicate with software running anywhere else through SOAP and can use standard objects locally or distributed across the Internet. Consequently, the developer experience is made consistent so that you can focus on features rather than on plumbing.

How is VB.Net different from VB6?

Some people have described the changes as dramatic--let's put it this way, if you are a VB6 programmer, you'll recognize many parts of VB.Net, but you'll also feel uncomfortable with others. Either way, it's a new ball game.

If I'm new to programming, which one should I learn--VB6 or VB.Net

Not an easy question to answer for the following reasons--I'll give you some food for thought.
First, I'm not sure about the future of VB.Net.
From my perspective as the advocate for the beginner programmer, I don't yet know how widely it will be embraced, how affordable it will be for the average person, and how learning it will enhance your employability. It may be that other languages, such as Java and C#, become the new standard for the beginner.
Secondly, when setting out to learn a programming language, what should you look for?
Books, classes. support venues (such as Web pages,newsgroups, etc). At this stage of the game, even though there are dozens of books that claim to teach beginners VB.Net, there are really only a few (mine among them) and to my knowledge, with the exception of my VB.Net class beginning on April 2nd, there are no classes available. There are some web pages and newsgroups out there, but not nearly as many as prior versions of VB.
In short, if you need to learn VB in the next two weeks, you may want to pick up a copy of my Introductory VB6 book, which comes with a copy of VB6.

What is the Common Language Runtime?

The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is that part of the .Net environment which executes programs. The great thing about the CLR isn't the CLR itself, but the fact that languages which are developed to run under the CLR have interoperability. Microsoft says that ".Net languages are only lenses through which programmers see the same underlying framework."
What that means, in theory, is that code that you write in VB.Net can run in the Visual C++ or Visual C# environment WITHOUT modification. Even better, if the .NET framework is ported to run on Unix or Macintosh PC's, the code will also run--WITHOUT modifications.

Will VB.Net run on my PC?

That depends. At a minimum, you must be running Windows NT, 2000, or XP. That means if you are running Windows 95 or 98 (yes, there still are people doing that), you're out of luck.
http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11133&subid=22&pg=3

Is there an easy way to convert my VB6 programs to VB.Net?

I'm not sure how easy it is, but Microsoft has provided a Visual Basic .Net Upgrade Wizard to convert VB6 programs to VB.Net. My experience with it hasn't been all that great---but Microsoft claims that the Upgrade Wizard, which will upgrade 95 percent of your existing Visual Basic 6.0 code to Visual Basic .NET
Is VB.Net the same as .Net?

No. VB.Net is just one of many languages that runs under the .Net framework. Right now, the others are C++ and C# (and COBOL if you can believe it)
When you hear people speaking about .Net, they may be speaking of the .Net Enterprise tools, packaged as Visual Studio.Net, which encompass all of these languages. For more, check this link:


http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/default.asp
Why did Microsoft have to change VB?

VB had to change because of Microsoft's movement to the .Net framework. VB6, as we know it, doesn't produce Common Language Runtime compliant code.

How can so many books be available on VB.Net when the product isn't for sale yet?


Actually, you can now purchase VB.Net--but you're right, that's just a recent development.What is VB.Net

VB.Net is the latest version of Microsoft's Visual Basic language, designed to run within the .Net framework.
The .NET Framework is a new programming model designed to simplify application development in the highly distributed environment of the Internet. Software running on the .NET Framework can communicate with software running anywhere else through SOAP and can use standard objects locally or distributed across the Internet. Consequently, the developer experience is made consistent so that you can focus on features rather than on plumbing.

How is VB.Net different from VB6?

Some people have described the changes as dramatic--let's put it this way, if you are a VB6 programmer, you'll recognize many parts of VB.Net, but you'll also feel uncomfortable with others. Either way, it's a new ball game.

If I'm new to programming, which one should I learn--VB6 or VB.Net

Not an easy question to answer for the following reasons--I'll give you some food for thought.
First, I'm not sure about the future of VB.Net.
From my perspective as the advocate for the beginner programmer, I don't yet know how widely it will be embraced, how affordable it will be for the average person, and how learning it will enhance your employability. It may be that other languages, such as Java and C#, become the new standard for the beginner.
Secondly, when setting out to learn a programming language, what should you look for?
Books, classes. support venues (such as Web pages,newsgroups, etc). At this stage of the game, even though there are dozens of books that claim to teach beginners VB.Net, there are really only a few (mine among them) and to my knowledge, with the exception of my VB.Net class beginning on April 2nd, there are no classes available. There are some web pages and newsgroups out there, but not nearly as many as prior versions of VB.
In short, if you need to learn VB in the next two weeks, you may want to pick up a copy of my Introductory VB6 book, which comes with a copy of VB6.

What is the Common Language Runtime?

The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is that part of the .Net environment which executes programs. The great thing about the CLR isn't the CLR itself, but the fact that languages which are developed to run under the CLR have interoperability. Microsoft says that ".Net languages are only lenses through which programmers see the same underlying framework."
What that means, in theory, is that code that you write in VB.Net can run in the Visual C++ or Visual C# environment WITHOUT modification. Even better, if the .NET framework is ported to run on Unix or Macintosh PC's, the code will also run--WITHOUT modifications.

Will VB.Net run on my PC?

That depends. At a minimum, you must be running Windows NT, 2000, or XP. That means if you are running Windows 95 or 98 (yes, there still are people doing that), you're out of luck.
http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11133&subid=22&pg=3

Is there an easy way to convert my VB6 programs to VB.Net?

I'm not sure how easy it is, but Microsoft has provided a Visual Basic .Net Upgrade Wizard to convert VB6 programs to VB.Net. My experience with it hasn't been all that great---but Microsoft claims that the Upgrade Wizard, which will upgrade 95 percent of your existing Visual Basic 6.0 code to Visual Basic .NET

Is VB.Net the same as .Net?

No. VB.Net is just one of many languages that runs under the .Net framework. Right now, the others are C++ and C# (and COBOL if you can believe it)
When you hear people speaking about .Net, they may be speaking of the .Net Enterprise tools, packaged as Visual Studio.Net, which encompass all of these languages. For more, check this link:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/default.asp

Why did Microsoft have to change VB?

VB had to change because of Microsoft's movement to the .Net framework. VB6, as we know it, doesn't produce Common Language Runtime compliant code.

How can so many books be available on VB.Net when the product isn't for sale yet?

Actually, you can now purchase VB.Net--but you're right, that's just a recent development.
Welcome to the ASP.NET QuickStart Tutorial

The ASP.NET QuickStart is a series of ASP.NET samples and supporting commentary designed to quickly acquaint developers with the syntax, architecture, and power of the ASP.NET Web programming framework. The QuickStart samples are designed to be short, easy-to-understand illustrations of ASP.NET features. By the time you have completed the QuickStart tutorial, you will be familiar with:
ASP.NET Syntax. While some of the ASP.NET syntax elements will be familiar to veteran ASP developers, several are unique to the new framework. The QuickStart samples cover each element in detail.
ASP.NET Architecture and Features. The QuickStart introduces the features of ASP.NET that enable developers to build interactive, world-class applications with much less time and effort than ever before.
Best Practices. The QuickStart samples demonstrate the best ways to exercise the power of ASP.NET while avoiding potential pitfalls along the way.

What Level of Expertise Is Assumed in the QuickStart?

If you have never developed Web pages before, the QuickStart is not for you. You should be fluent in HTML and general Web development terminology. You do not need previous ASP experience, but you should be familiar with the concepts behind interactive Web pages, including forms, scripts, and data access.

Working with the QuickStart Samples

The QuickStart samples are best experienced in the order in which they are presented. Each sample builds on concepts discussed in the preceding sample. The sequence begins with a simple form submittal and builds up to integrated application scenarios.

What is ASP.NET?

ASP.NET is a programming framework built on the common language runtime that can be used on a server to build powerful Web applications. ASP.NET offers several important advantages over previous Web development models:

Enhanced Performance. ASP.NET is compiled common language runtime code running on the server. Unlike its interpreted predecessors, ASP.NET can take advantage of early binding, just-in-time compilation, native optimization, and caching services right out of the box. This amounts to dramatically better performance before you ever write a line of code.


World-Class Tool Support. The ASP.NET framework is complemented by a rich toolbox and designer in the Visual Studio integrated development environment. WYSIWYG editing, drag-and-drop server controls, and automatic deployment are just a few of the features this powerful tool provides.


Power and Flexibility. Because ASP.NET is based on the common language runtime, the power and flexibility of that entire platform is available to Web application developers. The .NET Framework class library, Messaging, and Data Access solutions are all seamlessly accessible from the Web. ASP.NET is also language-independent, so you can choose the language that best applies to your application or partition your application across many languages. Further, common language runtime interoperability guarantees that your existing investment in COM-based development is preserved when migrating to ASP.NET.


Simplicity. ASP.NET makes it easy to perform common tasks, from simple form submission and client authentication to deployment and site configuration. For example, the ASP.NET page framework allows you to build user interfaces that cleanly separate application logic from presentation code and to handle events in a simple, Visual Basic - like forms processing model. Additionally, the common language runtime simplifies development, with managed code services such as automatic reference counting and garbage collection.


Manageability. ASP.NET employs a text-based, hierarchical configuration system, which simplifies applying settings to your server environment and Web applications. Because configuration information is stored as plain text, new settings may be applied without the aid of local administration tools. This "zero local administration" philosophy extends to deploying ASP.NET Framework applications as well. An ASP.NET Framework application is deployed to a server simply by copying the necessary files to the server. No server restart is required, even to deploy or replace running compiled code.


Scalability and Availability. ASP.NET has been designed with scalability in mind, with features specifically tailored to improve performance in clustered and multiprocessor environments. Further, processes are closely monitored and managed by the ASP.NET runtime, so that if one misbehaves (leaks, deadlocks), a new process can be created in its place, which helps keep your application constantly available to handle requests.


Customizability and Extensibility. ASP.NET delivers a well-factored architecture that allows developers to "plug-in" their code at the appropriate level. In fact, it is possible to extend or replace any subcomponent of the ASP.NET runtime with your own custom-written component. Implementing custom authentication or state services has never been easier.


Security. With built in Windows authentication and per-application configuration, you can be assured that your applications are secure.

The remainder of the QuickStart presents practical examples of these concepts.