Learning VB and .NET

Learning VB and .NET

• Doug K

  Some people need to make a decision between wanting to visualy create programs or actualy code the programs. After reading this thread I came to a conculsion that I myself have a problem in learning this .net stuff very confusing of where to start the process, and stick to it. I have many videos for SQL, VWD, AND C#. my plan is to use these videos as reference when needed while creating projects by hand. Oh and then there is the user interface oohh!

   

  dbarselow

  
  

• P. Weyrosta

  Vegabros

  Here is a site that I have been going through and they have the example you are looking for, hth.

  For member logins and such..

  http://www.siteexperts.com/tips/community/ts01/page1.asp

  Then a discussion forum.

  http://www.siteexperts.com/tips/community/ts02/page1.asp

  
  
  

• Denis Voyer

  Great thread!

  Very insightful comments and suggestions. I myself am trying to go down the "dynamic" webpage path and create simple web apps (mainly database driven).

  Here's my question about learning Visual Basic.Net (or C#) with ASP.Net...

  When I go and look for tutorials or training on Visual Basic and ASP.Net, I usually end up with VB training specific to making desktop apps.

  I would like to learn C# or VB (still undecided) but with webapps in mind. I want to make:

  - Member Logins

  - Member Signups

  - Contact Forms

  - Webpages that feed off a database

  Things like that. But I don't know where to begin...

  - Leo

  
  

• KnutVG

  Hey Shak,

  Could you fill in your email address in your profile.

  I'd just like to say, Hi. Some of us correspond and I'd love to have your email address.

  Renee

  
  
  

• jrsairwalk

  I've seen one WROX book on deployment and it really didn't answer my questions.

  I began DOT NET with VBE and have never used VWD so I don't know that combination offers. I currently use Team Suite so I hope I don't steer you down a non-workable path.

  I would identify a simple projects.

  Write a webservice.

  Serve it.

  Have a Browser interact with it.

  Attach the Webservice to a database.

  Make the browser's screen more comprehensive.

  Also please be aware of http://forums.asp.net/. That will be a rich source of information for you.

  But here's a good rule of thumb. If there is an area you want to learn about, write a program using it. For example, if you want to learn about databases - write a datbase program.

  
  
  

• sunspark

  I think it is a matter of just making a lesson plan and having suggestions from others on what are the best books / CBT's on VB.
  
  
  

• Juampe

   

   

  I have yet to  read a book. I learn by coding and I always have.

  Coding will make demands of you that a book won't.

  Write a calculator. Write a calculator on a web form if you have to. Books are great reference for answering a quick question -

   

  
  
  

• Diogo

  To add to what Renee said, If you are learning to program, there are actually very few books which will teach you how. VB (and the .NET framework) have a lot of aspects to it which can cloud the issue of actually learning to program.

  Most books that do handle the programming side will generally perform all instruction within what's called a console application (A comand window or DOS prompt), teaching the basics of variables, data types, statements and objects in a procedural way (i.e. your program starts here and runs to there). Once you have grasped those concepts they move on to event-based programming (i.e. windows) and using objects effectively. At that point, you may well be best served by a program language specific book.

  Learning to program is not about the end result - it is understanding the concepts: do you truly understand that a windows program does absolutely nothing without an event, for example, so understanding events and what an event is, is crucial.

  Some people learn by reading, others by doing. If you find yourself being confused by the choice of books, which language is which (which version is which!), then perhaps downloading VB Express or C# Express and doing something will be a good idea.

  A Calculator is probably the absolute best program to write to start with. It's not about making a calculator (the end result), but understanding what it takes to build a (simple!) program like that: if you ultimately want to make a Chat program (ohhh boy!) then your first step is to build a calculator. If you want to make a 3D charting algorithm, your first step is to build a calculator.

  I am currently about 50% of the way though my main project (a group of several programs). However, I have about 30 or so little programs that don't do anything special, apart from demonstrate (to me) a concept on how to do something.

  If you get stuck, the help system is very good (see those blue squiggles underlining everything ) It'll tell you what's wrong - even if you don't understand it - use the F1 key: It'll tell you how to do a for-next loop, or dimension a variable, for example. If you want top know how to use the DataGridView (because you need it for your megadatabase chat interface game system), make a little program to play around with just the grid control: get a feel for it - it's going to take at least 1/2 a day to really do anything useful with it and another 2 weeks of playing to take advantage of the rich featureset in that control. The .NET framework has thousands of controls and objects. You aren't going to learn all of them (no-one can) that's why the help system is invaluable. If you do find yourself going round in circles - step away from it for a bit, come back and try again. Maybe switch tactics - start another project concentrating on getting the object/control/thing to do what you want. The forums are available if you need further help.

  
  
  

• BrianD65

  hi, vegabros

  you can take a look to this thread http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx PostID=212558&SiteID=1

  or to this site http://msconline.maconstate.edu/tutorials/ASPNET2/default.htm

  hope this helps

  
  
  

• StevesDisplay

  hi,

  really its valiable advice from Reenec and SJWhitelely you will not appreciate it till you lose half of your hair and reading lots of books that will do nothing to you , like someone i know who hate readings(me)

  i've searched for a book about network programing and i found this one (Digital Press - Network Programming in .NET with C# and Visual Basic.NET) also i saw someone i can trust him in programming recomended this book here in the forum, i didn't get it yet and i don't know even if its good book or not but i guess i talk to a dangerous person who can figure that out

  hope this helps

  
  
  

• .neo

  hi,

  my pleasure, but i don't go to my email much may be every few weeks i go there, so forgive me if i didn't answer fast its shakalama1at yahoo dot com

  Best Regards

  
  
  
• Learning VB and .NET