by Sheila Koester

Created on: April 28, 2008

The best way to learn a new programming language is to read to learn the syntax of the code, and then practice what you have learned by using that code snippet in an actual program. Nothing replaces hands on learning when trying to master a new technical skill.
I recommend learning Visual Basic.Net (VB.NET) because it has greater marketability potential than Visual Basic 2005 does.

I recommend obtaining a book entitled Microsoft Visual Basic.Net Comprehensive Concepts and Techniques by Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, and Jeffrey J. Quasney. I used this book in college for my course on Visual Basic.Net. In addition to instruction about the components of this programming language, it contains screen shots of the code and the output that each program produces after it is run. It also contains many exercises and shows programming examples that you can use to increase your knowledge of this language. There are other VB.Net books available. These can be found either through online book outlets or in bookstores.

The next thing I recommend doing, is obtaining a platform upon which to code, test and run the practice programs you write as you learn the language. You can use a search engine to look for a free downloadable platform and compiler from internet sites or you can purchase a copy of Visual Studio.Net it from the Microsoft Corporation. Our instructor required us to purchase a copy of this platform for our class, which I did and have already installed on my computer at home.

The integrated development environment (IDE) is the platform programmers use to develop VB.NET applications. This environment contains the windows and toolbars necessary to develop, test, and run VB.NET programming applications. The platform uses a form to add the various objects, components, button controls, and labels used by a VB.Net program. When you add these items to the form, some of the VB.Net code created for you. You can then use that code to add functionality to your application. This is much easier than in the early days of programming where every line of code was hand coded by the programmer. As a modern day object oriented language, some of the code has already been provided for you.

To supplement the book and exercise coding practice, a third alternative would be to search for some online tutorials. These would enhance and add to the previously acquired knowledge of the coding syntax of VB.Net. The best way to increase knowledge on the subject is to network with other more knowledgeable and experienced VB.Net programmers by contributing to an online, open source-programming project. There are many open source venues, again found, via various search engines. Volunteering for a project is an excellent way to use the previously acquired knowledge in an effort to master and retain previously learned VB.Net coding skills.

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