chapter 2: the visual studio.net development environment visual basic.net programming: from problem...

Chapter 2: The VisualStudio .NET Development

Environment

Visual Basic .NET Programming:

From Problem Analysis to Program Design

Visual Basic .NET Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design 2

Objectives• Explore the Visual Studio .NET development

environment

• Create a project using Visual Basic .NET

• Compile and execute a Visual Basic .NET program

• Use the visual form designer

• Explore the debugging tool

• Explore the help facility


Exploring the Visual Studio .NET Development Environment

• Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

– Set of software tools used for programming

• Visual Studio .NET can be used for

– Visual Basic

– Other programming languages


Getting Started with VB .NET

• Install Visual Studio .NET

• Start application


Exploring the Microsoft Development Environment

• MDE includes

– Menu bar

– Various toolbars

– Several windows

• Context-sensitive

– Toolbars are displayed to support the task you are performing


Exploring the Microsoft Development Environment

(continued)

• Hidden windows

– Enable you to keep frequently needed tools available without cluttering IDE

– Reveal hidden window by moving mouse pointer over its tab

• Configure environment to match Figure 2-2


Understanding the Start Page

• Start Page

– Automatically loads in document window

– Contains three tabs named:

• Projects

• Online Resources

• My Profile

• Project

– Collection of files related to a VB .NET application


Creating a Project Using Visual Basic .NET

• When creating a new project:

– Must identify type of project as Visual Basic

– Identify template

– Specify project name and location

• Template:

– Pattern for creating a specific type of application


Creating a Project Using Visual Basic .NET

• After creating project using New Project dialog box, displayed components are:

– Module1.vb document

• VB .NET automatically generates some code

– Solution Explorer window

– Properties window

• Contains information about file properties


Understanding How VB .NET Organizes Your Programs

• Solution Explorer window

– Shows hierarchical arrangement of items

• File names:

– Use .vb extension

– Named Module1.vb by default


Understanding How VB .NET Organizes Your Programs

(continued)• Solution

– Container for one or more projects

– Must designate startup project

• When solution contains more than one project

• Project that runs first


Using the Text Editor

• Provides standard text-editing capabilities

• Also provides:

– Color-coding

– Code indentation

– Code completion

• Comment

– Statement included for documentation purposes only


Using the Text Editor (continued)

• IntelliSense

– Helps you complete lines of code by matching words

– Recognizes partial class and method names

• Suggests possible matches for name you are typing


Modifying the Text Editor Settings

• Can change:

– Font type

– Font size

– Color of text in code editor window


Renaming Module1.vb

• Assign descriptive names to programs you write

– Should rename from default names

• Use Properties window to change name

– Also rename module in source code


Setting the Startup Object

• Startup object

– Module where execution begins when VB .NET runs application

• If module renamed:

– Must modify startup object

– Using Property Pages dialog box


Compiling And Executing a Visual Basic .NET Program

• Several ways to compile and execute:– Options on Build and Debug menus or toolbars

– Shortcut key combinations

– Matter or preference

• Select Debug on menu bar– Click Start Without Debugging

– If there are errors:• Message box displayed


Using the Visual Form Designer

• Windows application

– Runs in Windows environment

• Visual form editor:

– Windows Form Designer

– Can select icons representing various components

– Place and arrange components on window

– Code is automatically written to match visual form


Creating a Windows Application

• Use Windows Application template

• Use Layout toolbar

– To control appearance and position of components

• Form grid

– Helps to layout components

– Not visible when applications runs


Creating a Windows Application (continued)

• Handle

– Use to resize objects

– Pointer changes to double arrow

– Resize form by clicking and dragging handle


Customizing the Appearance of a Form

• Modify form elements:

– Size

– Background color

– Title

– Name

– Position


Adding Components to a Form

• Use Toolbox

– Hidden window on left side of main window

– Double-click toolbox items to add to form

• When adding buttons

– Must identify action that will take place when button pressed


Exploring the Debugging Tool

• Debugger

– Helps you isolate errors

• Breakpoint

– Flag that tells debugger to temporarily suspend execution of program at a particular point

– Can view information about program

• May help determine source of problem


Getting Started with the Debugger

• Debugger

– Intended to help identify errors in program that occur while program is running

– Cannot help to find coding errors that prevent program from being built successfully

• Syntax errors

– Helps find logic errors

• HOWEVER does not fix them for you


Setting Breakpoints

• Position cursor in code window

• Right-click

– Select Insert Breakpoint from popup menu

• Program execution is suspended just before line of code where breakpoint is set

• Execute program in debug mode


Exploring the Help Facility

• Help features:

– Search for help on specific item

– Browse table of contents

– Scroll through alphabetized index of topics

– Dynamic help

– Context-sensitive help


Accessing Help

• Use Help menu• Contents option:

– List of help topics in table of contents format

– Organizes help topics in hierarchical fashion

• Index option:– Displays list of help topics in alphabetical order

• Search option:– Search database of help pages


Accessing Help (continued)

• Dynamic Help option:

– Identifies help topics in response to actions

– Displays topics depending on currently selected window or item


Exploring Context-Sensitive Help

• Invoke by pressing F1 key

• Obtain help on virtually any

– Keyword

– Component

– Window

– Other element of VB .NET


Summary

• Visual Studio .NET

– Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

– Set of software tools that helps you code, debug, and test a system as you develop it

– Provides many options that allow you to customize appearance of screen and the tools

– Uses hierarchical arrangement of solutions and projects to organize programs


Summary (continued)

• The VB .NET text editor

– Supports color-coding, indentation, and code completion features

• Compile and execute VB .NET program

– Using options on Build and Debug menus

• Visual form editor

– Visual development tool

– Generates code from forms


Summary (continued)

• Debugger

– Tool that helps identify problems

• Help facility of VB .NET provides many options for accessing help

chapter 2: the visual studio.net development environment visual basic.net programming: from problem...

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