Visual Basic .NET : A Brief Introduction

Shadab · # 1 (**permalink**)

VisualBasic .NET (aka VB.NET) is an object-oriented programming language. It's the successor to VisualBasic 6. Programming in the .NET versions is somewhat different than programming in the earlier (pre .NET) versions. So far, 4 major releases have been made. (First release of VB .NET in the year 2002)

1. VB 7.0 => VisualBasic .NET (2002)

2. VB 7.1 => VisualBasic .NET 2003

3. VB 8.0 => VisualBasic .NET 2005

4. VB 9.0 => VisualBasic .NET 2008

.NET Express Editions

VisualBasic is a part of the Visual Studio bundle, which is a paid product. Microsoft also launched the free versions of Visual Studio, known as the Express Editions. 2 express editions (2005 and 2008) have been released till now.

These free versions are mainly aimed at students and other users who have just started learning VisualBasic; as it lacks many of the advanced features of the Standard editions.

Sample Codes

This will display a message box with the text 'Hello, World',
when a command button named 'btn1' is clicked.

Code:

Private Sub btn1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal _
  e As System.EventArgs) Handles btn1.Click

    MessageBox.Show("Hello, World")

End Sub

The above code would also work if in place of MessageBox.Show we use simply MsgBox.

Comparatively, the equivalent code would be very small in VisualBasic 6 :

Code:

Private Sub btn1_Click()

    MsgBox("Hello, World")

End Sub

Express Edition Download

You can download the latest express edition (2008) of Visual Basic from here :
(absolutely free)

Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition

To download the ISO of the older version click the link below :
Visual Basic .NET 2003 Express Edition ISO (file size : approximately 450 MB)

I'll be soon posting a long series of tutorials of VisualBasic 6 and VisualBasic .NET (2005 Express) for beginners.