Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) (Paperback)

by Tim Patrick (Author), Steven Roman (Author), Ron Petrusha (Author), Paul Lomax (Author)
Key Phrases: info object, storage size, log object, Visual Basic, Syntax Dim, Related Framework Entries (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...a genuinely readable reference" - Computer Shopper, June 2006

Product Description
When Microsoft made Visual Basic into an object-oriented programming language, millions of VB developers resisted the change to the .NET platform. Now, after integrating feedback from their customers and creating Visual Basic 2005, Microsoft finally has the right carrot. Visual Basic 2005 offers the power of the .NET platform, yet restores the speed and convenience of Visual Basic. Accordingly, we've revised the classic in a Nutshell guide to the Visual Basic language to cover the Visual Basic 2005 version and all of its new features.

Unlike other books on the subject, Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition doesn't assume you're a novice. It's a detailed, professional reference to the Visual Basic language-a reference that you can use to jog your memory about a particular language element or parameter. It'll also come in handy when you want to make sure that there isn't some "gotcha" you've overlooked with a particular language feature.

The book is divided into three major parts: Part I introduces the main features and concepts behind Visual Basic programming; Part II thoroughly details all the functions, statements, directives, objects, and object members that make up the Visual Basic language; and Part III contains a series of helpful appendices. Some of the new features covered include Generics, a convenient new library called My Namespace, and the operators used to manipulate data in Visual Basic.

No matter how much experience you have programming with Visual Basic, you want Visual Basic 2005 in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition close by, both as a standard reference guide and as a tool for troubleshooting and identifying programming problems.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 766 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; 3 edition (January 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059610152X
• ISBN-13: 978-0596101527
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #573,518 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Book, February 17, 2006

By	Jerry Dixon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've always missed the printed help manuals that used to come with development tools. I used to carry them around with me and browse through them whenever I had a bit of time. So I was happy to read this book, which has a nice big PRINTED reference section. There are several sections that cover various topics such as object orientation, data types, delegates & events, operators, and so on. The book also covers the new features of Visual Basic 2005, such as operator overloading and generics. My favorite part is the section on the My namespace. Cool stuff.

This is mainly a reference book. The authors did a very good job of also making this a readable book. That's a rare feat.

Bottom line: this book is a keeper, and will be sitting on my bookshelf at work.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, February 9, 2006

By	John R. Vacca "Tech Write Independent Reviewer" (Pomeroy, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Are you a developer who has used previous versions of Visual Basic (VB); are new to VB; or, are learning VB for the first time? If you are, this book is for you. Authors Tim Patrick, Steven Roman, Ron Petrusha and Paul Lomax, have written an outstanding book that focuses on the language elements of .NET-powered Visual Basic--on its statements, functions, procedures, directives, and objects.

Patrick, Roman, Petrusha and Lomax, begin by discussing how VB has been transformed into its .NET variation, and how and why the .NET version is different from previous editions of VB. Then, they cover some of the features of the .NET Framework that most impact the VB developer. The authors continue by discussing the basic concepts of object-oriented programming and show how to implement VB's object-oriented features in your code. In addition, they also look at the standard VB data types and how to use them. The authors also show you the operators you should use to manipulate data in VB. Then, the authors discuss the entry points that allow the .NET runtime to execute your code and show how to structure the code in a VB program. Next, they offer a fast paced overview of the Framework Class Library and some of its features. Next, the authors show how events work and what they mean to you as a programmer. Then, they explain attributes and show you how to use and define them. The authors continue by describing the generics feature and provide examples for its use. In addition, they also show you how to use unstructured error handling and structured exception handling. The authors also provide you with syntax and usage information for all major VB language features, plus information on some of the more useful .NET Framework features that are not officially part of the VB language. Finally, the authors fully document the My Namespace feature, a convenient new library introduced with VB 2005.

Keeping the preceding in mind, this excellent book provides essential information on the VB language for the .NET platform. It thoroughly details all the functions, statements, directives, objects, and object members that make up the VB language.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference if you have some VB experience, August 9, 2007

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

This book is a really good reference. It has made me much more efficient. It has good information of the new features of VB 2005. It has several chapters on the basics of VB as well as advanced features such as generics and attributes. I would definitely recommend buying it if you are already familiar with VB and want a good reference book for VB 2005. I try not to program without it within arms reach