Visual Basic .NET is a versatile and easy-to-learn programming language that has been popular for several decades. This language has gone through several iterations since it was first developed in the early 1990s, but its core syntax and structure have remained largely the same. In this beginner's guide, we will explore the history of Visual Basic .NET, its syntax, and some of its most popular applications.
History:
Visual Basic .NET was first developed by Microsoft in the early 1990s as a graphical user interface (GUI) programming language. It quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use and its ability to rapidly develop Windows-based applications. Since then, it has gone through several major updates and revisions, including Visual Basic 6.0, which was released in 1998, and Visual Basic .NET, which was released in 2002.
Syntax:
Visual Basic .NET is a high-level, object-oriented programming language that is based on the .NET Framework. It uses a syntax that is similar to many other programming languages, including C++, Java, and Python. Some of the basic syntax elements of Visual Basic .NET include variables, data types, conditional statements, loops, and functions.
Let's look at an example of a simple program written in Visual Basic .NET. This program will prompt the user to enter their name and then display a message that greets them by name. Here is the code for the program:
```
Dim name as String
name = InputBox("Please enter your name:")
MsgBox("Hello, " & name & "!")
```
This program uses the `InputBox` function to prompt the user to enter their name, and then it uses the `MsgBox` function to display a message that greets the user by name.
Applications:
Visual Basic .NET has a wide range of applications, including developing Windows-based desktop applications, creating web applications, and developing mobile applications. Some of the most popular applications of Visual Basic .NET include:
1. Desktop applications: Visual Basic .NET is commonly used to create desktop applications, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems.
2. Web applications: Visual Basic .NET can also be used to create web applications, such as e-commerce sites and online forums.
3. Mobile applications: With the advent of Xamarin, a framework that allows for cross-platform mobile development, Visual Basic .NET can also be used to create mobile applications for iOS and Android devices.
Conclusion:
Visual Basic .NET is a versatile and easy-to-learn programming language that has been popular for several decades. Its history dates back to the early 1990s when it was first developed by Microsoft as a graphical user interface programming language. Since then, it has gone through several major updates and revisions, including Visual Basic .NET, which was released in 2002. Today, Visual Basic .NET is commonly used to create desktop applications, web applications, and mobile applications. With its easy-to-learn syntax and wide range of applications, it is an excellent language for beginners who are just starting out in programming.