Entire course introduction

expandable array-like objects called collections, and to save organized data to a file using serialization... Database ConnectivityThe subset of the .NET Framework that deals with connec

Intermediate Visual Basic

CISP 371

CRC

Prof Chapman

VB Capabilities

Most people think that Visual Basic is only useful if you want to build a GUI program that runs on a desktop PC.But VB is much more powerful than that

VB Capabilities

VB can handle

 Windows desktop GUI applications

 Windows web applications

 Database connectivity

 Extension of the language

 OOP

Windows Desktop GUI Apps

This was covered in the prerequisite

course CISP 370

More to come about what I expect you all to know in this area

Language Extension

The rest of what VB can do can is

defined within the huge class library called the NET Framework

As the first part of this course we’ll work with this library

These concepts are vital when programming

VB web apps and database connectivity.

expandable array-like objects called

collections, and to save organized data to a file using serialization.

Database Connectivity

The subset of the NET Framework that deals with connecting an app to a

database is called ADO.NET

These classes let you use a database as

a permanent storage area for your

application’s data

Database Connectivity

You can use VB to copy databases into memory, search the data with VB, edit the data, and save the data back to the database

Working with an existing database with

VB does not require SQL

Windows Web Applications

The subset of the NET Framework that deals with connecting an app to a

database is called ASP.NET

These classes let you create an

event-driven web page that contains controls

Windows Web Applications

You can use VB to build web sites using the same techniques as building

desktop applications

What You Already Know

This is contained on Blackboard in the document “CISP 370 topics”

If you don’t feel comfortable with any

of these topics, plan to meet with me ASAP during office hours for a quick tutorial

What You Already Know

Let’s look at two examples

 TextBox input data validation

 Complicated multiple-window WinApp to play craps

Simple CISP 370 WinApp

This WinApp accepts input in the TextBox and then validates the input as a positive integer

If input is invalid, then a MessageBox dialog informs the user.

Simple CISP 370 WinApp

Read the code behind MainForm to see the

 btnProcess_Click() event handler definition

 the validation technique using Val() and an

If statement

More Complicated WinApp

In the past, the last homework in my CISP

370 asked for a WinApp with three windows that played the game of craps.

The user could place bets and enable a log file to keep track of their bets.

The application would determine whether a

More Complicated WinApp

“GUI sketches” are a method to design the application before writing a single line of VB.NET code

In these sketches the developer

communicates their vision for the

abilities of each window

sketch of window

control names

what user

More Complicated WinApp

After the windows have been sketched out, then the developer writes the code behind each window

More Complicated WinApp

The main window is always on the screen and is

where the user rolled the dice and managed the

game The user can navigate to the other windows and exit the app here.

More Complicated WinApp

The bets window allows the user to place a bet prior

to their next roll The allowable bets depend on the current state of the game (has the point been set?), the table minimum bet, and the total amount of

money the user has.

More Complicated WinApp

The show-all-bets window displays the currently placed bets and their amount.

What You Don’t Yet Know

How to use NET Framework classes directly (instead of having Visual Studio automatically generate the necessary code).

How to build customized classes that are

based upon the NET Framework.

How to group code together into a coherent class that other programmers would find

What You Don’t Yet Know

How to connect your app to a database using the ADO.NET library.

How to build active web pages using NET

techniques and the ASP.NET library.

My Goal

Students who finish this course have enough knowledge about using and

expanding the NET Framework library

to do whatever they like with Visual

Basic

VB – it’s not just for desktop