Windows Forms Programming in Visual Basic .NET

Much of the publicity around .NET has focused on using .NET to build Web-based applications and Web services. Many developers, however, are using .NET to build traditional Windows-based applications. Microsoft has provided a package called Windows Forms, or WinForms, which makes the development of these apps easier and faster than ever. Chris Sells has written the definitive book to help experienced Microsoft developers master the use of this powerful toolkit. Based on the experience he has gained developing with and teaching WinForms for the last two year, he goes beyond other books currently on the market. Chris has a critically acclaimed writing style that allows him to keep the material concise and easy to follow. He concentrates on what you won't find in the documentation, giving developers the information they really need. While this book is basically similar to his book on WinForms for C# developers, Chris has brought in Visual Basic .NET expert Justin Gehtland to make sure that the style and content of this version are fully optimized for the needs and concerns of Visual Basic coders.

User review
This book is terrible, and every time I use it - I'm let down.
Chris Sells book on window forms programming is a huge let down. I kept hearing it was the defacto book on Winforms develpment; I bought the 1.1 version and the 2.0 versions.
After doing considerable 1.1 programming, and trying to use his book; I couldn't believe how terrible it was.

The section that is dedicated to data grids and data binding is all combined and co-mingled. It stops after it tells you how to populate a grid. With no discusion of how to access the data, use the data in a n-tier database update application, and with no hint as to validation of the data or an of the miriad of incidental programming tasks you MUST perform on a data grid. I have very seldom, if ever, have found what I needed in this book.

Please don't buy this book, and please don't recommend it to anyone. For 1.1 there is a much better book by Eric Brown, Windows Forms Programming C#, if you can get it. It took me months to get mine on Amazon - but it was worth the wait,,. I love it.


User review
VB 6.0 Veteran Makes The Switch
I have been programming in Visual Basic 6.0 for over 7 years now. I have often thought of making the switch to [VB], but could never find the book that would help me make the transition. Sure I read all of the books I could find. It wasn't until I was surfing around Safari Books Online and I came across this book. I figured this was going to be another boring, hard to read technical book on Visual Basic programming. I almost passed over it, but then I thought, `No. I'll take a look.` I had the book on my Safari bookshelf for a long time and I used it FREQUENTLY to answer questions that I had come up while learning [VB].

I just recently was able to obtain a hard copy of the book and I have it sitting here next to my computer. I can sure find the answers a lot faster in the hard copy. :-) And what I have discovered is that the information that Chris Sells gives in this book is good for any version of VB.NET. I'm looking forward to giving it a try when Visual Basic (,,) 2005 comes out in November. Then we shall really put Chris to the test. LOL. Of course, he had better work on getting a revised edition out because there are a lot more new controls and features in 2005 that I want to see him cover so that I can upgrade my copy of his book to help with that as well.

Awesome Work Chris. Don't ever stop writing books. At least not as far as the Visual Basic (,,.) books are concerned. (,,.)

User review
Seasoned in VB6 Prg. I was stuck with VB.NET until this book
I was a little frustrated with myself in trying to pick up .NET development. After all, I could code VB6 w/o effort, but I was struggling to find a book that would be more than a beginner's guide but that would help get me locked into solid .NET development using Winforms. Chris Sells', Windows Forms Programming in Visual Basic .NET, was the book I was looking for. From learning the basics of the new .NET Winforms, Controls, and IDE to more advanced concepts new to VB programmers such as inheritance, multithreading, and useful tips and hints, this book covers a great deal. I especially enjoyed the straightforward style of writing used in this book that avoided unnecessary commentary, rants, or other footnotes that many authors feel the need to add but that don't help much with learning the concepts at hand. This is a great book and I would highly recommend it both for the beginner and the experienced looking for a great presentation that will help in your quest to learn Smart Client development using VS.NET.

User review
Wow
I must say, Chris Sells is the most enjoyable CS author i have ever read. This book was actually recommended by Carl Franklin of franklins.net and i must say that i haven't been happier. Chris communicates on levels that some of us rarley go. Chris starts off with here is console app, and then scales all the way up into windows apps, custom painting, printing, threading, etc. Chris you are one gifted author, and when .NET 2.0 comes out, i'll be the first to order your book.

User review
A master work!
Should be considered *THE* reference for any Windows Forms developer for .NET. This book covers everything from intro material to details of threading and security, and covers it all well. Keep it nearby when developing.