Module 1: Getting Started

This module introduces Visual Basic .NET and explains how it fits into the .NET platform. It explains how to use the programming tools in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and provides enough practice so that students can create their first application in Visual Basic .NET.

Lessons

• Basic .NET Concepts
• Exploring the Development Environment
• Creating a Visual Basic .NET Project

Lab: Creating Your First Application

• Exercise 1: Creating Your First Application in Visual Basic .NET

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 2: Working with Forms and Controls

This module explains fundamental programming concepts, including event-driven programming, classes, objects, properties, methods, and events. This module also explains how to use forms and controls to create a user interface. This includes the following: how to create a form, set properties, call methods, and write code for events; how to add controls to a form; how to manage multiple forms; how to use message boxes; how to use naming conventions; and how to format and document code.

Lessons

• Understanding Programming Concepts
• Working with Windows Forms
• Working with Controls
• Styling Your Code

Lab: Creating the User Interface

• Exercise 1: Creating the Main Form

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 3: Using Variables and Arrays

This module explains how to name, declare, assign values to, and use variables and constants. It explains how to declare variables with different levels of scope, how to create your own data structures, and how to convert variable values from one data type to another. It also describes how to store data in an array.

Lessons

• Introduction to Data Types
• Using Variables
• Variable Scope
• Converting Data Types
• Creating and Using Structures
• Storing Data in Arrays

Lab: Creating and Using Variables

• Exercise 1: Using Static Variables
• Exercise 2: Creating, Using, and Converting Variables

Lab: Using Structures and Arrays

• Exercise 1: Creating a Structure
• Exercise 2: Creating and Using Arrays

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 4: Working with Procedures

This module describes how to create and use Sub and Function procedures, including predefined functions, and how to structure code for increased reusability.

Lessons

• Creating Procedures
• Using Procedures
• Using Predefined Functions

Lab: Creating and Using Procedures

• Exercise 1: Creating Functions in a Module
• Exercise 2: Working with the Main Form

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 5: Decision Structures and Loops

This module explains how to implement decision structures and loop structures to control program output and execution.

Lessons

• Using Conditional Expressions
• Using Decision Structures
• Using Conditional Loop Structures

Lab: Using Decision Structures

• Exercise 1: Checking User Input
• Exercise 2: Confirming Application Close

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 6: Validating User Input

This module explains how to validate user input at both the field level and the form level. It describes how to handle invalid input by providing error messages and guiding users through the process of finding and fixing errors. It describes how to use control properties and methods to restrict and validate data entry.

Lessons

• Restricting User Input
• Validating Field Data
• Validating Form Data

Lab: Validating User Input

• Exercise 1: Validating User Input

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 7: Object-Oriented Programming in Visual Basic .NET

This module explains how to create and use classes. The module explains the concepts of abstraction, encapsulation, instantiation, initialization, constructors, and destructors. This module also describes inheritance, polymorphism, and namespaces.

Lessons

• Understanding Classes
• Working with Classes
• Using Shared Members
• Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Namespaces

Lab: Creating a Derived Class

• Exercise 1: Creating a Derived Form Class

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Module 8: Handling Errors and Exceptions

This module explains types of errors that can occur in a program and explains how to use the debugging tools provided with Visual Basic .NET to help diagnose and correct the errors. These tools include the Visual Studio .NET debugger, debugging windows, and structured exception handling.

Lessons

• Types of Errors
• Using the Debugger
• Handling Exceptions

Lab: Implementing Structured Exception Handling

• Exercise 1: Using Try