[...]... earlier version of the Visual Basic software If that’s your situation, you’ll be better served by locating an earlier edition of my book, such as Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Step by Step (which describes the Visual Basic 2005 software) or Microsoft Visual Basic Professional 6.0 Step by Step (which describes the Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 software) 2 Click the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 icon If this is... development environment in Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, you can use the same tools to write programs for Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, Microsoft Visual C# 2008, Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008, and other third-party tools and compilers xvii xviii Introduction Visual Basic NET Versions So how did we get here, anyway? The first version of Visual Basic NET (Microsoft Visual Basic NET 2002) was released... (Microsoft Visual Basic NET 2003) was widely available in March 2003 Next came Visual Basic 2005 in late 2005, and after a long period of development and integration work, Microsoft released Visual Basic 2008 in early 2008 Visual Basic 2008 is now so tightly integrated with Visual Studio that it is only available as a component in the Visual Studio 2008 programming suite, which includes Visual C#, Visual. .. tech person in your office, school, or home—which is why you’re now needing to learn, or upgrade to, Visual Basic 2008 one of the most powerful development tools in use today Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Step by Step is a comprehensive introduction to Visual Basic programming using the Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 software I’ve designed this practical, hands-on tutorial with a variety of skill levels in mind... about the Visual Studio 2008 software, I recommend two Microsoft Web sites: http://msdn2 .microsoft. com/en-us/vbasic/ (the Microsoft Visual Basic Developer Center home page) http://www .microsoft. com/communities/ (technical communities related to Microsoft software products and technologies) Both Web sites give you access to professional Visual Basic developers, Microsoft employees, Visual Basic blogs,... the preceding mail addresses For support information, please visit the Microsoft Product Support Web site at: http://support .microsoft. com Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Step by Step Part I Getting Started with Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 In this part: Chapter 1, Exploring the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment 3 Chapter 2, Writing Your First Program 37... answered by querying the Knowledge Base, please send them to Microsoft Press using either of the following methods: E-mail: mspinput @microsoft. com Postal mail: Microsoft Press Attn: Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Step by Step One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 Please note that product support is not offered through the preceding mail addresses For support information, please visit the Microsoft. .. Chapters 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13 , 18 , 19 , 20 From Visual Basic 6 1 Install the practice files as described in the section “Installing and Using the Practice Files.” 2 Read Chapters 1 through 4 carefully to learn the new features of the Visual Studio 2008 development environment 3 Pay special attention to comments that I make in several chapters that highlight significant differences between Visual Basic 6 and Visual. .. c:\vb08sbs folder.) Then return to this chapter Start Visual Studio 2008 1 On the Windows taskbar, click Start, click All Programs, and then click the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 folder The folders and icons in the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 folder appear in a list Note To perform the steps in this book, you must have a version of the Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 software installed Most of the procedures... practice files, sample databases, and other useful information that requires the Visual Basic 2008 software (sold separately) for use Upgrading from Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Before Visual Basic NET, of course, the programming world was blessed to have Visual Basic 6, originally released ten years ago in September 19 98 Visual Basic 6 was so popular that many programming enthusiasts continue to use it, . to, Visual Basic 2008 one of the most powerful development tools in use today. Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Step by Step is a comprehensive introduction to Visual Basic programming using the Microsoft. environment in Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, you can use the same tools to write programs for Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, Microsoft Visual C# 2008, Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008, and other. the Visual Basic 2008 software (sold separately) for use. Upgrading from Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Before Visual Basic .NET, of course, the programming world was blessed to have Visual Basic