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Microsoft's new .NET initiative represents either the golden future of web technologies or an insidious plot to take over the world. Either way, expect demand for titles on Visual Basic .NET, the update to Visual Basic 6 and a major component in the .NET framework. Microsoft's February release of Visual Studio .NET, which includes the new Visual Basic, makes these newer titles a better choice than earlier releases on .NET technologies (see Computer Media, LJ 7/01). The two Teach Yourself titles are characteristically thorough, practical introductions for new VB .NET programmers that include quizzes and exercises for self-paced learning. 21 Days is a bit more extensive in its coverage, especially of the .NET framework as a whole. Both are solid purchases for all public libraries. Assuming familiarity with Visual Basic 6 and focusing on the changes in the new .NET version, Programmer's Introduction is less basic. Programmer's Reference is a useful supplement, containing definitions and sample code for common applications. Each definition features a description, syntax, parameters, returns, code sample, and See also. Unleashed is the most comprehensive of these titles, with more coverage of advanced object-oriented programming and ASP. NET. These titles are more appropriate for larger libraries. |
