Whether you're new to Visual Basic or you're upgrading to VB 2008 from an earlier version, this new edition of Murach's core VB book shows you how to develop the kind of bullet- proof Windows Forms applications that businesses rely on. Along the way, you'll learn how to build database applications faster than ever by using RAD features like data sources and the DataGridView control. You'll learn how to use object-oriented features like inheritance and interfaces as well as features like code snippets, generics, partial classes, and ClickOnce deployment. And you'll learn how to use the 2008 LINQ feature to query data. When you're done, you'll be able to develop Windows Forms applications the way the best professionals develop them.

An introduction to Visual Studio; How to design a Windows Forms application; How to code and test a Windows Forms application; How to work with numeric and string data; How to code control structures; How to code procedures and event handlers; How to handle exceptions and validate data; How to work with arrays and collections; How to work with dates and strings; More skills for working with Windows forms and controls; How to create and use classes; How to debug an application; An introduction to database programming; How to work with data sources and datasets; How to work with bound controls and parameterised queries; How to use ADO.NET to write your own data access code; How to work with default properties, events, and operators; How to work with inheritance; How to work with interfaces and generics; How to organise and document your classes; How to work with files and data streams; How to work with XML files; How to use LINQ; How to enhance the user interface; How to deploy an application; Index.