The Why, not the How

Technically speaking, there is nothing wrong with this book. This title is aimed at giving VB6 users a whirlwind tour of the VB2005 environment, highlighting additions, deletions, and changes. If you don't have a VB6 background, this read isn't for you. The overview starts with a look at the new Visual Studio environment, showing you some of the toolbar objects with and without data binding. The next few chapters show off some of the newer statements and functions to VB, a peek into the .NET framework and classes, and object oriented programming in the VB world. The last goal of this book is to apply the covered areas in the development of an application.

As I said, there is nothing wrong with this title. My biggest issue is that for the first half, it reads like an advertising brochure for the VB2005 platform - and the author does an excellent job at selling the product. The second half (where you develop an application), is very step by step, covering just what you need to know to write the application - nothing more. At 188 pages, the book is too small to be a reference or even a learner's textbook. Although you are made aware of VB2005 elements, and even get to see them in action, you are not going to finish this book and be much further down the VB6 to VB.NET conversion road. VB.NET is only superficially like VB6, and when you are done with this book, if you liked what you saw, you will need to purchase another title aimed at actually teaching you the .NET platform.

Other Reviews

• Like going to a MS VB demonstration
• The Why, not the How
• Poorly written but better than nothing
• Great little Book to get you Started in VB 2005
• Great For Experienced VB Developers