Windows-Based Applications (How Do I in Visual Basic Express)
This page provides links to help on widely used Visual Basic tasks for creating Windows-based applications. To view other categories of popular tasks covered in Help, see How Do I in Visual Basic Express.
Note
If you are using Visual Basic Express, some of the Help links on this page may be unavailable, depending on the options that you chose during installation. For more information, see Troubleshooting Visual Basic Express.
In Visual Basic Express
Visual Basic Express includes tools for easily creating your program.
Creating the Visual Look of Your Program: Introduction to Windows Forms
Demonstrates setting up a simple Visual Basic program.Creating the Visual Look of Your Program: Introduction to Windows Presentation Foundation
Shows how to create a Windows Presentation Foundation application.Displaying and Receiving Text: Using Labels and Text Boxes
Explains how to use the Label and TextBox controls to display text and accept text input from the user.Displaying Images: Using the PictureBox Control
Explains how to use a PictureBox control to display images, and also how to display a picture as a background image on a form.Getting User Choices: Using Check Boxes and Radio Buttons
Explains what to add to a Windows-based application when you want to get information from your user.Giving Users Choices: Creating Menus at Design Time
Shows how your application can respond to user input.Multiple-Item Controls: Working with ListBox and ComboBox Controls
Describes how to add items to and remove items from lists.Displaying Dates: Using MonthCalendar and DateTimePicker Controls
Describes how to retrieve a date selected in a MonthCalendar control and a DateTimePicker control and display it on a Windows Form.Invisible Controls: Using Components
Introduces components and describes how to add a component that enables you to validate data entered into a program.Reusing Controls: Working with Built-in Dialog Boxes
Describes how to use built-in dialog boxes to display an Open File dialog box, apply a font to text, and apply a color to a form.Pushing Buttons: Adding Toolbars and Buttons
Describes how to add a ToolStrip control to an application and how to add a button to the ToolStrip.Providing Your Own Explorer: Working with TreeView Controls
Describes how to make an application look like Windows Explorer by using a TreeView control.
MSDN Library for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions
The following are some of the more in-depth topics the Library offers to help you create standard Windows-based applications. To use these links, you have to have Microsoft MSDN Express Library 2008 installed or have access to MSDN Online library.
Structure of a Visual Basic Program
Shows the general outline of a simple Visual Basic program.Walkthrough: Creating a Simple Windows Form
Demonstrates how to make a simple "Hello, World" application.Getting Started with Windows Forms
Describes how to use the power of Windows Forms to display data, handle user input, and deploy your applications easily and with strong security.Enhancing Windows Forms Applications
Describes enhanced features that enable you to create world-class Windows-based applications.Windows Applications (How Do I in Visual Basic)
This page links to Help on widely used Visual Basic tasks for creating Windows-based applications.Controls to Use on Windows Forms
An alphabetical list of controls and components that can be used on Windows Forms.Windows Forms Controls by Function
Lists the Windows Forms controls and components according to general function.
Use Windows Forms and Controls
Additions to Windows Forms for the .NET Framework 2.0
Lists the new and enhanced features available with this release of Visual Studio.What's New in Windows Forms for Visual Basic 6.0 Users
Describes important changes for Visual Basic 6.0 users.How to: Add Background Images to Windows Forms
Shows how to use a bitmap as the background for a form.How to: Enable Windows XP Visual Styles
Shows how to give your application the visual style of Windows XP.How to: Keep a Windows Form on Top
Demonstrates ways to make sure that your form stays on top.How to: Display Message Boxes
Explains how to add message boxes and change their appearance.
Other Resources
The following Web sites are excellent resources for finding more information, seeing what other Express users are doing, and remaining a part of the Visual Basic Express community as it grows.
Visual Basic Developer Center
Central location for information about Visual Basic. Includes case studies, new tools, and other downloads.Beginner Developer Learning Center
Central location for learning materials for the beginner developer. Includes video tutorials, articles, the How-To Reference Library, and Kid's Corner.Coding4Fun
Includes lots of articles and coding tips for the Visual Basic Express developer.Visual Basic 6.0 Resource Center
Provides help for developers who want to upgrade Visual Basic 6.0 applications.