Visual Basic.Net

Become a Microsoft windows programmer using Visual Basic. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft VB.NET.

Course Code: BIT101
Fee Code: S4
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Get started!

 

Learn to make Windows Programs using .NET (Visual Basic)

 

The .NET Framework simplifies Windows software development. It provides developers with a single approach to build both desktop applications - sometimes called ‘smart client applications’ - and Web-based applications. It also enables developers to use the same tools and skills to develop software for a variety of systems ranging from handheld smart phones to large server installations.

Software built on the .NET Framework can be easier to deploy and maintain than conventional software. Applications can be designed to automatically upgrade themselves to the latest version. The .NET Framework can also minimize conflicts between applications by helping incompatible software components coexist.

ACS student comments: I am finding the course very valuable it is keeping me focused and the content is excellent. I have a tendency to go off on tangents but the structure of the course keeps me on track.

Bill Anderson, Australia- Visual Basic.Net course.

 

Note: 

Students need access to a computer with internet access to be able to download software from Microsoft.

 

WHAT IS ‘MICROSOFT.NET’?

Microsoft explains the concept of .NET in these words:

“Microsoft® .NET is a set of Microsoft software technologies for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. It enables a high level of software integration through the use of Web services—small, discrete, building-block applications that connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications over the Internet.”

Microsoft’s ‘.NET’ platform was released in 2001 as a new feature to their Windows family of products. This affects many aspects of Information Technology because Windows products are responsible for a major share of home and office computers systems and website servers on the Internet. The technology behind .NET allows programmers (often called ‘developers’) to create software programs or applications that utilise the wide spectrum of information technology resources used every day by people around the world.

A new approach to building windows software

The .NET Framework simplifies Windows software development. It provides developers with a single approach to build both desktop applications - sometimes called ‘smart client applications’ - and Web-based applications. It also enables developers to use the same tools and skills to develop software for a variety of systems ranging from handheld smart phones to large server installations.

Software built on the .NET Framework can be easier to deploy and maintain than conventional software. Applications can be designed to automatically upgrade themselves to the latest version. The .NET Framework can also minimize conflicts between applications by helping incompatible software components coexist.

Study online at your own pace

Using our modern online portal for study is a simple and effective way of learning.Once enrolled, you will receive your online account to our login.training system that will give you all the lessons assignments and self-assessment tests so you can start studying straight away.
  

Lesson Structure

There are 12 lessons in this course:

  1. 1. Introduction
    • History of BASIC
    • What is Microsoft .NET
    • Programs
    • Keywords
    • Sequence
    • Selection
    • Repetition
    • Methods
    • Object libraries
    • Writing programs
    • Integrated Development Environment
    • Your first program: Hello World
    • A console program
    • Hello World explained
    • A windows based program
  2. 2. Variables
    • What are variables
    • Arrays
    • Hungarian notation
    • Kinds of variables (Data types)
    • Assigning variable values
    • Operator precedence
    • Strings
    • Hard coding variables
    • Programming exercise
    • Using variables
    • Comments
  3. 3. Understanding conditional statements
    • Program flow and branching
    • Sequence
    • Selection
    • if statements
    • if...else statements
    • Nested ifs vs elself
    • The select statement
    • Repetition (looping)
    • For loop
    • While loops
    • Do loops
    • Evaluating conditions with boolean expressions
    • Comparison operators
    • And, or and not
    • Formatting code (indenting)
    • Programming exercise: countdownTimer1_Tick() explained
    • Button1_Click() explained
  4. 4. I/O handling
    • What is a file
    • Data files
    • Program files
    • Saving files
    • I/O
    • Accessing files
    • Sequential files
    • Random files
    • Binary files
    • Opening files
    • Namespaces
    • Streamreader and streamwriter classes
    • Streams
    • Programming exercises: Writing a file (output), Reading a file (input)
    • Exercises explained
    • Reading files by line
  5. 5. Controls and Objects: An Introduction
    • Controls
    • Objects
    • Programming exercises
    • Simple poker machine
    • Stepwise development
  6. 6. Structured Programming using Modules
    • Modular program techniques
    • Top down vs bottom up
    • Modules and methods
    • Methods
    • Method header
    • Parameters
    • Arguments
    • Cohesion and coupling
    • Variable scope
    • Local vs global variables
    • Passing values
    • Procedures vs functions
    • Programming exercise: Simple calculator
  7. 7. Properties, Methods, Events and Classes
    • Objects and classes
    • OOP concepts
    • Fields, properties, methods and events
    • Encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism
    • Overloading, overriding and shadowing
    • Access levels
    • Constructors and destructors
    • Programming exercise: Cat class
  8. 8. Inheritance
    • What is inheritance
    • When to use inheritance
    • Inheritance rules
    • Inheritance modifiers
    • Overriding properties and methods
    • MyBase
    • MyClass
    • Programming exercise: club members
  9. Polymorphism
    • What is polymorphism
    • Using polymorphism
    • Programming Exercise: Club members
  10. Using Controls
    • Types of controls
    • Button
    • Label
    • Text box
    • List box
    • Combo box
    • Check box
    • Radio button
    • HScroll bar
    • VScroll bar
    • Picture box
    • FolderBrowserDialog
    • Group box
    • Timer
    • Using controls
  11. Debugging
    • Programming errors
    • Types of bugs
    • Syntax errors
    • Logic errors
    • Runtime errors
    • Finding bugs
    • Breakpoints
    • Trapping Errors with Try ... Catch
  12. Developing a Complete VB.NET Application
    • System development life cycle

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Understanding of the basic concept of computer programming and how it fits in with the .NET framework.
  • Understanding how computer programs store values and how they are accessed.
  • Understanding how conditional statements are used to affect the flow of a program.
  • Learn how to create, read and write files used by your VB.NET application. Also understand how to send information to a printer.
  • Understanding the basics of controls and objects.
  • Understanding the benefits of using modules to structure your program.
  • Understanding properties, methods and events and how they are used in classes.
  • Understanding how inheritance is used in VB.NET to re-use code.
  • Understanding how to use polymorphism to perform the same functions in different ways.

What You Will Do

  • Learning to Program is More than just Technical Skills
  • Writing quality software programs is more than just writing code. Programming is just one part of a process, which includes steps in analysis, design, testing, maintenance etc.
  • The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a methodology that is widely used in developing software; from large scale, multi-million dollar developments through to small boutique implementations. It is often tailored to suit the size of the project, and helps to ensure that time and costs are minimised, while accuracy and quality is maintained.
  • In a well organised software development project, the actual writing of the program code should ideally take less time and effort than any other phase of the project. If the system has been properly analysed and designed, writing the code is almost automatic, and the testing and implementation takes less time. The saying “measure twice, cut once” reflects this thinking.
    • However, it is possible to spend too much time on analysis and design.
  • In this course, we will guide you toward understanding what is an appropriate approach to undertaking a programming task; from all perspectives.

WHAT IS MICROSOFT.NET?

At the turn of the century, rather than continue to make incremental improvements to Visual Basic, Microsoft decided to introduce a major new product, the .NET framework, which includes Visual Basic, C#/C++ along with features to enable building interactive and eCommerce websites.

Microsoft explains the concept of .NET in these words:

 “Microsoft® .NET is a set of Microsoft software technologies for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. It enables a high level of software integration through the use of Web services – small, discrete, building-block applications that connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications over the Internet.”

Microsoft’s .NET platform was released in 2001 as a new feature to their Windows family of products. This affects many aspects of Information Technology because Windows products are responsible for a major share of home and office computers systems and website servers on the Internet. The technology behind .NET allows programmers (often called ‘developers’) to create software programs or applications that utilise the wide spectrum of information technology resources used every day by people around the world.

A New Approach to Building Windows Software

The .NET Framework simplifies Windows software development. It provides developers with a single approach to build both desktop applications (sometimes called ‘smart client applications’) and web-based applications. It also enables developers to use the same tools and skills to develop software for a variety of systems ranging from handheld smart phones to large server installations.

Software built on the .NET Framework can be easier to deploy and maintain than conventional software. Applications can be designed to automatically upgrade themselves to the latest version. The .NET Framework can also minimise conflicts between applications by helping incompatible software components coexist.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FUTURE?

When you look around at the positions vacant for jobs, there is one career in IT that holds the most value and knowledge, Computer Programming.

A Computer programmer gains the essential skills that are the foundations of all the IT disciplines. Computer programmers are the ones who write the rules and make what the IT industry is. All software, networks, databases etc have one thing in common, they all have architecture that is build by programmers.

Learning a programming language is like learning to speak a foreign language, it is difficult at first to understand, but with practice and learning it is something that can be rewarding and useful. 

Your skills that you gain from completing this course are used world wide by many different industries in many different fields, there are industries that have not even emerged yet that will require people who have programming skills.

Do yourself a favour and Jump on the ride of the future and gain the necessary skills that could change your life.

 
 
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.

You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.

Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans.
We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).


What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.


What if I change my mind?

Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).

If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Dr. Sherif Sakr

Research Scientist and University Lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering. Sherif has a PhD in Computer Science, MSc, BSc.

Josiane Joubran

CSC consultant with IBM, Software QA Engineer, Course Writer and Tutor. Josiane is an I.T professional with extensive experience with computer hardware and engineering in Lebanon and Australia. Josiane has a B.Eng., Grad.Dip.I.T., Master Info.Tech., MCP, MCSE.

Sarah Jury

Over 15 years working in small business, I.T., education and science. Sarah has a PGCE(Post Compulsory Education), BSc(Hons) (Genetics), DipComp(Open), CertWebApps(Open).
She has designed and created several Web sites for different organisations.





Tutors

Meet some of the tutors that guide the students through this course.

Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams BSc (Hons), PgDip Eng, MSc, CEng MIET, CMgr FCMI

Andrew has extensive experience across the engineering and building services industries, with specialisms in refrigeration and energy management, with professional recognition as both a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Manager.

This experience includes working in consulting and leadership roles right through to being hands on to deliver projects and outcomes for large scale organisations and within startup and scale up environments.

He has adapted his experience to integrate with new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to allow for a data driven perspective to be applied to problem solving and is actively using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to solve real world problems.

Alexander O'Brien

Alex was born and raised in Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. Having been trained in Architecture, Permaculture, Mechanical Engineering, Ceramics, Furniture Design/Construction, Sustainable building and Art,Craft and Design, his knowledge base is broad. Much of his professional work has been designing and making nature inspired spaces, creative reuse of materials, permaculture and natural ecology regeneration.

That being said, in his own words, "....my real passion is teaching. I adore sharing my knowledge and experience. Seeing students progress, and learning, that is my soul food."'

Helen Rex

Helen started her career as a chef before travelling extensively in Europe while living in the U.K. She moved from cooking to the financial markets where she started her career in Information Technology.
With over 25 years experience in information technology primarily in the financial markets, local government and animal health sectors. Helen moved from working in IT to the education sector where she has been involved in tutoring, course development and learning management systems.
She is currently living in rural New South Wales with her family and enjoying studying law part time.

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