Visual Studio 2008 adds a large set of new functionality for the Visual Studio developer. From new language features, including LINQ (Language Integrated Query), to new client-side data support, Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5 make it easier than ever to create robust, enterprise-level applications. In this course, you will begin with the basics, becoming familiar with Windows Forms and Windows Forms controls and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF). You will learn how to access data using ADO.NET, how to take advantage of data binding features, and you will explore the range of controls and components provided by Visual Studio. You will also learn how to build solid applications using structured exception handling, how to use the Visual Studio debugging features, how to use MenuStrip and ToolStrip controls, and how to add unprecedented flexibility to your user interfaces using the container controls.

This course is conducted in both VB.NET and C#. Students need to select a language only when working on lab exercises. Otherwise the course content is identical for all .NET languages.

In this course you will...

• Learn about creating Windows Forms applications
• Understand how to trap Windows Forms events
• Investigate the many Windows Forms controls
• Become familiar with intrinsic .NET data types
• Learn how to access data using ADO.NET
• Bind controls to data effortlessly using data binding features
• Work with debugging features
• Learn the role of DataSets and DataTables in ADO.NET
• Understand error handling using Exception objects
• Learn how to work with the Windows file system
• Learn how to crate data-bound applications
• Create flexible user interfaces using new container controls
• Investigate new language features, including LINQ (Language Integrated Query)
• Incorporate improvements to Visual Studio's data features
• Build applications using Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
• Investigate new features for Windows applications

Introduction to Windows Forms

• .NET Does Windows
• Adding Controls to a Form
• A Peek behind the Scenes
• Adding Event Handling Code
• Adding a Menu to the Form
• Adding Non-Graphical Components

Taking Advantage of the Form Event Model

• How .NET Languages Handle Events
• Exploring Form and Control Events

Common Windows Forms Controls

• Label, TextBox, and Button
• CheckBox and RadioButton
• ComboBox, ListBox, and CheckedListBox
• LinkLabel, NumericUpdown, PictureBox and ProgressBar

Exception Handling

• Perspectives on Exception Handling
• Getting Started with Exception Handling
• Catching Specific Exceptions
• Raising Errors
• Running Code Unconditionally
• Handling Unhandled Exceptions
• Creating Exception Classes

Working with Strings and Dates

• Core .NET Data Types
• Working with Text: The String Class
• Working with Dates and Times

Accessing Data

• Overview of ADO.NET
• Connecting to Data
• Executing Commands
• Working with Data
• Choosing an ADO.NET Provider

Introduction to LINQ

• Language Integrated Query
• LINQ Syntax
• LINQ SQL
• LINQ DataSets
• LINQ to XML

Data Binding Techniques

• Data Binding Basics
• Creating a Data Source
• Creating Data-Bound Forms
• Data Binding Components and Controls
• Displaying Data from Related Tables
• Displaying Data from Lookup Tables
• Adding Search Capabilities to a Form
• Filtering by Values from a Lookup Table
• Data Validation
• Working with Local Data

Using the Data Controls

• Data Controls
• The BindingNavigator Control
• The BindingSource Component
• The DataGridView Control
• The ReportViewer Control

Introduction to WPF

• Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
• Investigating XAML and the WPF Designer
• Introducing Content and Grid Controls

Revisiting WPF

• Laying Out the Application
• Creating the MoviePlayer Control
• Creating a Data Source and Hook up Data Binding
• Adding a Data Converter and a Data Template

Handling Input/Output Tasks

• Introducing the System.IO Namespace
• Selecting Files
• Browsing for Folders
• Handling Path Information
• Working with Directories and Files
• Using Stream-Based Objects to Read and Write File Contents

Project Settings in Visual Studio

• The Project Designer
• Application Properties
• Compilation Properties
• Debugging Properties
• Project References
• Project Resources
• Project Settings

Debugging Your Applications

• Debugging Applications
• Setting Breakpoints and Stepping through Code
• Debugging Code in Assemblies
• Evaluating Variables and Objects
• Edit and Continue
• Tracing Applications

Container Controls

• Introducing Container Controls
• Grouping Controls with the GroupBox Control
• Introducing the Panel Control
• Displaying Multiple Panels with the SplitContainer Control
• Laying out Panels with the TabControl Control
• Simple Layout Using the FlowLayoutPanel Control
• Advanced Layout Using the TableLayoutPanel Control

Menus and Toolbars

• Introducing the ToolStrips
• Working with the ToolStrips

Complex Windows Forms Controls

• Introducing Complex Controls
• NotifyIcon Control
• WebBrowser Control
• MaskedTextBox Control
• RichTextBox Control
• TreeView and ListView Controls
• MonthCalendar and DateTimePicker Controls

Interoperability

• COM and .NET
• Calling COM Objects from .NET
• Calling .NET Assemblies from COM
• Using Platform Invoke
• Web Services

Deploying Applications Using Click-Once

• ClickOnce Deployment
• ClickOnce Deployment
• Publishing and Application
• Setting Publish Options
• Updating a Deployed Application
• What Happens When You Publish an Application?
• Deploying Office 2007 Solutions