Exploring Visual Basic 2005

Start MS Visual Studio 2005

            Start, all programs, MS visual studio 2005, MS visual studio 2005

            Opens in Visual Basic by default

Use the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Display the designer

            Open the project

            Click the form in the solution explorer window

            The form will load in the designer window

            Click the tab to see the form 

Open and run a VB program

            File menu, open project, navigate the drive to find project

            Click the run button – it’s a right pointing triangle on the top toolbar

Change Property Settings

            Objects in the form (and including the form) have characteristics – properties

            Click the object, the properties display in the properties window

The properties contain a table with the left column holding the property name, and the right column with the property setting

            Properties have + box on the left

                        There are more than one set of setting for that properties

                        Example Size has height and width

                        Click the + to access both

            Setting Properties

                        Click the setting cell

                        The property may be set by typing in a number or text

                        The property may be set by clicking a drop down list and making a choice

                        The property may be set by clicking an ellipse , then using the properties window

Move, resize, dock and auto hide tool windows

            Move – title bar click and drag

            Resize – click and drag a border

            Dock – click and drag the window using the title bar

             When you begin to the window, docking guides will appear

             Position the window over a docking guide, and when it is activated, the section of the

             screen where it will dock will become blue

             release the window when you have the docking location of your choice activated

            Hide – tool windows include a push pin at the right side of the title bar

            The pin in the pushed down position indicates the window has auto hide disabled

            The pin in the sideway position indicates the window has auto hide enabled

            Click the push pin to switch between auto hide enabled and disabled

Open a web browser within Visual Studio

The main IDE window can become a web browser

 View menu, other windows, web browser

 Top line in the window becomes the address bar

 Press enter after typing a url to get the page

Use new Help command and customize Help

            Help menu, How do I? Option

            A new window opens with a help system

            Topics are on the left, content on the right

            Click the topic to view the content on that issue

          Online help

Tools menu, options

Set when to go online for help – after the local search or before it or not at

Favorite help topics

            Click the Save to Help Favorites button

            Favorite Searches

                        Click the Save to search button