The VB.NET Programming Language

• This intensive course is intended for developers who will use VB.NET to write .NET Framework applications and who are relatively new to the VB.NET programming language.
• This is a course for developers.

• Write code that includes sequence, selection and iteration constructs
• Create and use classes and structures (types), including fields, properties and methods
• Use Private, Friend, Protected and Public visibility modifiers
• Use exception-handling to create robust applications
• Create derived classes that inherit from custom-written or .NET Framework classes
• Create interfaces and apply techniques of polymorphism effectively and appropriately
• Work with generic types
• Leverage the power of VB.NET features
• Use delegates
• Understand the event handling paradigm
• Use lambda expressions in code
• Use LINQ (Language Integrated Query)
• Efficiently manage resources

• Delegates must understand the fundamentals of programming

Please note:

• Those delegates who are attending via either virtual or extended classroom will be required to provide either dual monitors or single monitor plus a tablet device.
• Before attending this class delegates must have a Microsoft account (signing up one is free). The instructions on how to set up a Microsoft account can be found here.

Module 1: Introduction to Object Orientation

This ensures all delegates have a grounding in the principles of Object Orientation.

Module 2: OO and VB.NET

Get started on how VB.NET implements Object Orientation

Module 3: Introduction to .NET, Visual Studio & VB.NET

• The .NET Framework; The Common Language Runtime; The Common Type System
• VB.NET Features; Introduction to namespaces and assemblies
• Get to know your way around Visual Studio

Module 4: Syntax I

• Conversion; Arithmetic and other operators
• Flow of control constructs
• Passing parameters by value, by reference, named and optional parameters

Module 5: Syntax 2

• Type concepts; Classes; Reference types
• Fields, properties and methods
• Accessibility modifiers
• Object initialisation, Constructors and Constructor chaining
• Instance members; Keyword 'Me'
• Enumerated types
• Arrays

Module 6: Collections

• Generic Collections
• Iterating collections
• Indexers

Module 7: Inheritance & Polymorphism

• Concept of inheritance; Substitutability; Extending a simple class
• 'Overridable', 'Overrides' and 'NotOverridable' modifiers
• Polymorphism
• Abstract classes (MustInherit)
• Upcasting and safe downcasting

Module 8: Interfaces

• Polymorphism with interfaces
• Multiple interfaces

Module 9: Delegates and Lambdas

• Delegates explained
• Working with delegates
• Creating your own delegate types
• The evolution of Lambdas

Module 10: Generic Delegates

Using the framework-supplied generic delegates

Module 11: LINQ

• The language features behind LINQ
• The LINQ API and query pattern
• Grouping and Joins

Module 12: Handling Exceptions

• Errors vs. Exceptions
• The 'try', 'catch', 'finally' paradigm
• Using 'throw'
• Creating your own exceptions

Module 13: Consuming Events

• Understanding events in .NET
• Writing event handlers

Module 14: Producing Events

• The event conventions
• Raising custom events

Module 15: Garbage Collection

• Garbage collection and its impact
• Finalizers; The 'Dispose' pattern; IDisposable
• The 'using' statement

Module 16: The Way Ahead

• Review
• Follow-on courses

Appendix Module A: LINQ to Xml

Producing and consuming XML using LINQ