Walkthrough -- States ...
Because this walkthrough focuses on reading XML data into a dataset, the contents of an XML file is provided.
To create the XML file that will be read into the dataset
From the Project menu, choose Add New Item.
Select XML File
Microsoft Sooooooo many of your helps simply do... not... work.
I have the new 2005 VB Express and installed it without any tricks and there is no following choice -- From the Project menu, choose Add New Item. Select XML File.
Any suggestions
<rant> Do you even try to debug the help by actually running them Sorry would not want to piss off anyone since i am forced to beg for help. And you wonder why the use of VB has fallen off so much. </rant>
Sorry :->
Walkthrough -- Select XML File... click Add but there is no XML File Choice
xesteban
I'd take with a pinch of salt these sources, VB and .NET use are increasing. As for giving it away - they are giving away C# , Web developer and SQL, in free versions as well. Next thing you'll have us believing they are all having plummeting use.
The Express versions are fully language functional. The Compilers for VB and C# come with the framework not the development product. You could write VB code using Notepad by just installing the .NET Framework which is free. But you wouldnt be as productive.
The fact that there is a free version allows people to try programming without having to spend money on it. They get an IDE which is better than many other competing products. The IDE has features disabled intentionally and advanced features not shown but for the most part for novices, it will be just fine.
I would say that you always have choices, if your using VB express, youve lost nothing as it didnt cost you a cent. If you dont like it - try C# thats free as well but you'll find similar limitations on the Express versions. If you want full functionality within the IDE then spend the money to purchase it. If you truly believe that help is incorrect or essential features are missing then contact microsoft and give them you opinion.
As far as the help - the walkthrough you use, did it specifically state that it would work with the express version. It sounds as though because something wasnt available in you system because its intentionally not there and the help didnt match that (and it would for all other versions of the product) you are deciding to slam the product.
I would agree the help system needs considerable improvement - but the product is sound and there are so many people doing so many different things its difficult to have relevent help for all people at all levels.
What rankings are we talking about. I see people saying positive things about VB 2005 product, its a definate improvement over previous versions.
pablog
As you have VB Express and Not VB (Pay version) certain items are missing and your options for new items which can be added in the designer does not include XML File. (This is intentional for the VB Express versions).
This does not prevent you from adding an existing XML file to a project, it simply isnt going to present you with a template to create it and some nice designer tools.
Ultimately it will create a file with an XML extension and contents something like
< xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" >
So I would simply create a file like this using the txt file and give it the xml extension - it will achieve the same result.
VB hasnt fallen off as all - if you want to buy the product then you get all the goodies, but now they are giving away a version of the product which has much of the essential functionality but not all- they have to save some items for the pay version - otherwise nobody would buy it and if nobody is buying it there will be no further development
Netwrkr
<snip usefull stuff> Thanks
Several sources i have seen suggest that VB use is plummeting. (And why they are giving it away). I can see why VB use is plummeting. MS is not debugging their help. BTW, If I had paid, I would be asking for my money back. Their help ratings are pitiful. I cannot see why they do not re-write some of their stuff. Stuff that gets a ranking of 1.58 out of a possible 9 after _81_ ... 81! responses. I guess it might not just be me.
Anyway I would rather be banging my head on my program then blathering here. Thanks again for your help.