Beginning VB 2008 Databases teaches you everything you need to know about relational databases, SQL, and ADO.NET 2.0, giving you a sound start in developing console and Windows database applications. The book also includes chapters on the new SQL Server XML data type and the forthcoming LINQ enhancements to the next version of Visual Basic.

In addition to teaching you database basics like using SQL to communicate with databases, this book provides you with detailed, code-practical techniques to access data in Visual Basic 2008 across a range of coding situations. Code-heavy and full of practical detail, this book has been fully revised and upgraded for .NET 3.5 and offers you the best contemporary practice in this core programming area, so that you’ll find yourself using it in nearly all your .NET projects.

Provides step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure necessary tools

Presents all essential SQL query and update concepts and syntax, so you don’t need prior familiarity with relational databases or SQL

Describes how to use ADO.NET transactions, exceptions, and events

Covers ADO.NET features for handling XML, text, and binary data within a Visual Basic 2008 context

Explains all concepts through straightforward code examples

How relational databases work and how to use them

How Visual Basic uses ADO.NET to access databases

How to write stored procedures in T-SQL and call them from Visual Basic programs

How to use XML in database applications

How to use LINQ to simplify VB database programming

How to install SQL Server 2005 Express and use it to teach yourself databases by doing databases

Visual Basic 2008 Programmer's Reference is a language tutorial and a reference guide to the Visual Basic 2008 Programming Language. The tutorial provides basic material suitable for beginners but also includes in-depth content for more advanced developers.

This revised and updated tutorial and reference will help you quickly get up to speed on the latest features in Visual Basic 2008.

The tutorial section walks you through VB.NET from scratch, providing you with in-depth descriptions of the development environment, basic program syntax, and standard controls. It also explores fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming with VB.

The comprehensive reference section provides easy-to-use summaries of key Visual Basic syntax and techniques. The appendexes let you quickly fill in the details when you know what you want to do but don't remember the exact syntax.

This edition provides full coverage of new Visual Basic features including:

Visual Basic is a favorite programming language, so if you’re new to programming, it’s a great place to start. Visual Basic 2008 For Dummies is the fun and easy way to begin creating applications right away while you get the hang of using the Visual Studio environment. Soon you’ll be building all sorts of useful stuff with VB 2008!

This step-by-step guide walks you through a logical series of tasks that build your skills as you get comfortable with .Net terminology, theory, tools, and design principles. You’ll learn how to build an application in four different architectural styles, and you’ll find out how to make your programs validate input and output, make decisions, and protect themselves from security threats. Discover how to:

You’ll also find great tips for working with the VB user interface, using VB.NET in C# programming, troubleshooting your VB programs, taking your programming to the next level, and more! Once you get your hands on Visual Basic 2008 For Dummies, you’ll be programming like a genius in no time

Your first look at building rich interactive applications using Silverlight.Teach yourself the fundamentals of working with Visual Basic 2008—one step at a time. With STEP BY STEP, you work at your own pace through hands-on, learn-by-doing exercises. Whether you’re a beginning programmer or new to this specific language, you’ll understand the core capabilities and fundamental techniques for Visual Basic 2008—and rapidly build robust, elegant applications. Each chapter puts you to work, showing you how, when, and why to use the latest features of Visual Basic—guiding you each step of the way as you create actual components and working applications for Windows. You’ll also explore data management and Web-based development topics.