Just published:
Murach’s Visual Basic 2005

Mike Murach and Associates has just published a 2005 edition of their core Visual Basic book, now entitled Murach’s Visual Basic 2005. It teaches how to develop Windows forms applications the way the best professionals do.

This of course includes coverage of new 2005 features like data sources, generics, code snippets, new controls, partial classes, and more. But beyond that, this book has several features that make it different from most other Visual Basic 2005 books.

#1: There’s a 5-chapter section on database programming
This is an area that’s changed dramatically from earlier versions of VB. So this section teaches how to use the data sources feature and the DataGridView control...both new in VB 2005...that are now layered on top of ADO.NET.

Many books stop there. But this book also teaches how to use ADO.NET to access databases directly. Then, it teaches how to use the new object data sources feature along with ADO.NET to create 3-layer applications. That allows you to separate the presentation code from the data access code in an application, without sacrificing the data binding that’s a key benefit of using data sources.

#2: It teaches the OOP skills that many developers miss out on
Visual Basic is an object-oriented language, yet many VB developers have only a hazy understanding of OOP. So this book includes 5 chapters that clearly explain OOP features like inheritance and interfaces in the context of database applications. The intent is to provide the kind of background that makes you a more savvy, confident developer.

#3: It emphasizes the productivity gains of using Visual Studio 2005
Visual Studio 2005 is full of time- and work-saving features that every VB developer should take advantage of. So chapters 1-3 teach how to set up and use VS 2005 to develop Windows forms applications. Then, later chapters cover VS tools, like class diagrams and ClickOnce deployment, for specific tasks.

#4: Complete applications show how all the pieces interact
One key to mastering VB development is to have plenty of applications that show how the features you’re learning interact and what problems you might run into as you work on your own. So this book shows complete Windows forms applications for business functions like order entry. These can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site, as can coding starts for the practice exercises in the book.

#5: The paired-pages format lets developers set their own pace
Murach books have a distinctive format, where each two-page spread presents a single topic. Both beginning and experienced developers find that this format makes it easy to focus on the information they need, whether they’re using the book for training or reference.

Murach’s Visual Basic 2005 is available directly from the publisher at www.murach.com and from all major retail outlets.

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