Pro VB 2010 and the .NET 4.0 Platform

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents at a Glance

Table of Contents

About the Authors

About the Technical Reviewer

Acknowledgments

Introduction

We’re a Team, You and I

An Overview of This Book

Chapter 1: Introducing VB 2010

Chapter 2: Building Visual Basic 2010 Applications

Chapter 3: Core VB 2010 Programming Constructs, Part I

Chapter 4: Core VB Programming Constructs, Part II

Chapter 5: Defining Encapsulated Class Types

Chapter 6: Understanding Inheritance and Polymorphism

Chapter 7: Understanding Structured Exception Handling

Chapter 8: Understanding Object Lifetime

Chapter 9: Working with Interfaces

Chapter 10: Understanding Generics

Chapter 11: Delegates, Events, and Lambdas

Chapter 12: Advanced VB 2010 Language Features

Chapter 13: LINQ to Objects

Chapter 14: Configuring .NET Assemblies

Chapter 15: Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-BasedProgramming

Chapter 16: Processes, AppDomains, and Object Contexts

Chapter 17: Understanding CIL and the Role of DynamicAssemblies

Chapter 18: Dynamic Types and the Dynamic Language Runtime

Chapter 19: Multithreaded and Parallel Programming

Chapter 20: File I/O and Object Serialization

Chapter 21: ADO.NET Part I: The Connected Layer

Chapter 22: ADO.NET Part II: The Disconnected Layer

Chapter 23: ADO.NET Part III: The Entity Framework

Chapter 24: Introducing LINQ to XML

Chapter 25: Introducing Windows Communication Foundation

Chapter 26: Introducing Windows Workflow Foundation

Chapter 27: Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation andXAML

Chapter 28: Programming with WPF Controls

Chapter 29: WPF Graphical Rendering Services

Chapter 30: WPF Resources, Animations, and Styles

Chapter 31: WPF Control Templates and UserControls

Chapter 32: Building ASP.NET Web Pages

Chapter 33: ASP.NET Web Controls, Master Pages, and Themes

Chapter 34: ASP.NET State Management Techniques

Appendix A: Programming with Windows Forms

Appendix B: Platform-Independent .NET Development with Mono

Obtaining This Book’s Source Code

Obtaining Updates for This Book

Chapter 1: Introducing VB 2010

Understanding the Previous State of Affairs

Life As a C/Windows API Programmer

Life As a C++/MFC Programmer

Life As a Visual Basic 6.0 Programmer

Life As a Java Programmer

Life As a COM Programmer

The Complexity of COM Data Type Representation

The .NET Solution

Introducing the Building Blocks of the .NET Platform (the CLR, CTS, and CLS)

The Role of the Base Class Libraries

What Visual Basic 2010 Brings to the Table

Additional .NET-Aware Programming Languages

Life in a Multi-Language World

An Overview of .NET Assemblies

Single-File and Multi-File Assemblies

The Role of the Common Intermediate Language

Benefits of CIL

Compiling CIL to Platform-Specific Instructions

The Role of .NET Type Metadata

The Role of the Assembly Manifest

Understanding the Common Type System

CTS Class Types

CTS Interface Types

CTS Structure Types

CTS Enumeration Types

CTS Delegate Types

CTS Type Members

Intrinsic CTS Data Types

Understanding the Common Language Specification

Ensuring CLS Compliance

Understanding the Common Language Runtime

The Assembly/Namespace/Type Distinction

The Role of the Microsoft Root Namespace

Accessing a Namespace Programmatically

Referencing External Assemblies

Exploring an Assembly Using ildasm.exe

Viewing CIL Code

Viewing Type Metadata

Viewing Assembly Metadata (aka the Manifest)

Exploring an Assembly Using Reflector

Deploying the .NET Runtime

The .NET Client Profile Runtime

The Platform-Independent Nature of .NET

Summary

Chapter 2: Building Visual Basic 2010 Applications

The Role of the .NET Framework 4.0 SDK

The Visual Studio 2010 Command Prompt

Building VB 2010 Applications Using vbc.exe

Specifying Input and Output Targets

Referencing External Assemblies

Referencing Multiple External Assemblies

Compiling Multiple Source Files

Working with VB 2010 Response Files

The Default Response File (vbc.rsp)

Building .NET Applications Using Notepad++

Building .NET Applications Using Visual Basic 2010 Express

Some Unique Features of Visual Basic 2010 Express

Building .NET Applications Using Visual Studio 2010

Some Unique Features of Visual Studio 2010

Targeting the .NET Framework Using the New Project Dialog Box

Using the Solution Explorer Utility

Referencing External Assemblies

Viewing Project Properties

The Class View Utility

The Object Browser Utility

Integrated Support for Code Refactoring

Code Expansions Techniques

The Visual Class Designer

The Integrated .NET Framework 4.0 SDK Documentation System

Summary

Chapter 3: Core VB 2010 Programming Constructs, Part I

The Role of the Module Type

Projects with Multiple Modules

Modules Are Not Creatable

Renaming Your Initial Module

Members of Modules

The Anatomy of a Simple VB 2010 Program

Variations on the Main() Method

Specifying an Application Error Code

Processing Command-Line Arguments

Specifying Command-Line Arguments with Visual Studio 2010

An Interesting Aside: Some Additional Members of the System.Environment Class

The System.Console Class

Basic Input and Output with the Console Class

Formatting Console Output

Formatting Numerical Data

Formatting Numerical Data Beyond Console Applications

System Data Types and VB 2010 Shorthand Notation

Variable Declaration and Initialization

Intrinsic Data Types and the New Operator

The Data Type Class Hierarchy

Members of Numerical Data Types

Members of System.Boolean

Members of System.Char

Parsing Values from String Data

System.DateTime and System.TimeSpan

The .NET 4.0 System.Numerics Namespace

Working with String Data

Basic String Manipulation

String Concatenation

Special Character Constants

End SubStrings and Equality

Strings Are Immutable

The System.Text.StringBuilder Type

Narrowing and Widening Data Type Conversions

Trapping Narrowing Data Conversions

Understanding Option Strict

Setting Project-wide Overflow Checking

The Role of System.Convert

Understanding Implicitly Typed Local Variables

Restrictions on Implicitly Typed Variables

Implicit Typed Data Is Strongly Typed Data

Usefulness of Implicitly Typed Local Variables

VB 2010 Iteration Constructs

The For Loop

The For Each Loop

Use of Implicitly Typed Variables Within For Each Constructs

The While and Do/While Looping Constructs

Decision Constructs and the Relational/Equality Operators

The If/Then/Else Statement

The Select/Case Statement

Summary

Chapter 4: Core VB 2010 Programming Constructs, Part II

Methods and Parameter Modifiers

The ByVal Parameter Modifier

The ByRef Modifier

The Attribute

The ParamArray Modifier

Defining Optional Parameters

Invoking Methods using Named Parameters

Understanding Method Overloading

Understanding VB 2010 Arrays

VB 2010 Array Initialization Syntax

Implicitly Typed Local Arrays

Defining an Array of Objects

Working with Multidimensional Arrays

Arrays As Arguments or Return Values

The System.Array Base Class

Understanding the Enum Type

Controlling the Underlying Storage for an Enum

Declaring Enum Variables

The System.Enum Type

Dynamically Discovering an Enum’s Name/Value Pairs

Understanding the Structure Type

Creating Structure Variables

Understanding Value Types and Reference Types

Value Types, References Types, and the Assignment Operator

Value Types Containing Reference Types

Passing Reference Types by Value

Passing Reference Types by Reference

Final Details Regarding Value Types and Reference Types

Understanding VB 2010 Nullable Types

Working with Nullable Types

The Nullable If Operator

Summary

Chapter 5: Defining Encapsulated Class Types

Introducing the VB 2010 Class Type

Allocating Objects with the New Keyword

Understanding Constructors

The Role of the Default Constructor

Defining Custom Constructors

The Default Constructor Revisited

The Role of the Me Keyword

Chaining Constructor Calls Using Me

Observing Constructor Flow

Revisiting Optional Arguments

Understanding the Shared Keyword

Defining Shared Methods

Defining Shared Field Data

Defining Shared Constructors

Defining Modules in VB 2010

Defining the Pillars of OOP

The Role of Encapsulation

The Role of Inheritance

The Role of Polymorphism

VB 2010 Access Modifiers

The Default Access Modifiers

Access Modifiers and Nested Types

The First Pillar: VB 2010 Encapsulation Services

Encapsulation Using Traditional Accessors and Mutators

Encapsulation Using .NET Properties

Using Properties within a Class Definition

Internal Representation of Properties

Controlling Visibility Levels of Property Get/Set Statements

Read-Only and Write-Only Properties

Shared Properties

Understanding Automatic Properties

Interacting with Automatic Properties

Regarding Automatic Properties and Default Values

Understanding Object Initializer Syntax

Calling Custom Constructors with Initialization Syntax

Nested Objects

Working with Constant Field Data

Understanding Read-Only Fields

Shared Read-Only Fields

Understanding Partial Types

Summary

Chapter 6: Understanding Inheritance and Polymorphism

The Basic Mechanics of Inheritance

Specifying the Parent Class of an Existing Class

Regarding Multiple Base Classes

The NotInheritable Keyword

Revising Visual Studio Class Diagrams

The Second Pillar of OOP: The Details of Inheritance

Controlling Base Class Creation with the MyBase Keyword

Keeping Family Secrets: The Protected Keyword

Adding a NotInheritable Class

Programming for Containment/Delegation

Understanding Nested Type Definitions

The Third Pillar of OOP: VB’s Polymorphic Support

The Overridable and Overrides Keywords

Overriding Overridable Members Using Visual Studio 2010

NotOverridable Members

Understanding Abstract Classes and the MustInherit Keyword

Understanding the Polymorphic Interface

Understanding Member Shadowing

Understanding Base Class/Derived Class Casting Rules

The VB TryCast Keyword

The VB Is Keyword

The Master Parent Class: System.Object

Overriding System.Object.ToString()

Overriding System.Object.Equals()

Overriding System.Object.GetHashCode()

Testing Your Modified Person Class

The Shared Members of System.Object

Summary

Chapter 7: Understanding Structured Exception Handling

Ode to Errors, Bugs, and Exceptions

The Role of .NET Exception Handling

The Atoms of .NET Exception Handling

The System.Exception Base Class

The Simplest Possible Example

Throwing a General Exception

Catching Exceptions

Configuring the State of an Exception

The TargetSite Property

The StackTrace Property

The HelpLink Property

The Data Property

System-Level Exceptions (System.SystemException)

Application-Level Exceptions (System.ApplicationException)

Building Custom Exceptions, Take One

Building Custom Exceptions, Take Two

Building Custom Exceptions, Take Three

Processing Multiple Exceptions

General Catch Statements

Rethrowing Exceptions

Inner Exceptions

The Finally Block

Who Is Throwing What?

The Result of Unhandled Exceptions

Debugging Unhandled Exceptions Using Visual Studio

A Brief Word Regarding Corrupted State Exceptions (CSE)

Summary

Chapter 8: Understanding Object Lifetime

Classes, Objects, and References

The Basics of Object Lifetime

The CIL of new

Setting Object References to Nothing

The Role of Application Roots

Understanding Object Generations

Concurrent Garbage Collection under .NET 1.0 - 3.5

Background Garbage Collection under .NET 4.0

The System.GC Type

Forcing a Garbage Collection

Building Finalizable Objects

Overriding System.Object.Finalize()

Detailing the Finalization Process

Building Disposable Objects

Using Keyword with VB 2010

Building Finalizable and Disposable Types

A Formalized Disposal Pattern

Understanding Lazy Object Instantiation

Customizing the Creation of the Lazy Data

Summary

Chapter 9: Working with Interfaces

Understanding Interface Types

Interface Types vs. Abstract Base Classes

Defining Custom Interfaces

Implementing an Interface

Invoking Interface Members at the Object Level

Obtaining Interface References: The TryCast Keyword

Obtaining Interface References: The Is Keyword

Interfaces As Parameters

Interfaces As Return Values

Arrays of Interface Types

Implementing Interfaces Using Visual Studio 2010

Resolving Name Clashes via Explicit Interface Implementation

Designing Interface Hierarchies

Multiple Inheritance with Interface Types

Building Enumerable Types (IEnumerable and IEnumerator)

Building Cloneable Objects (ICloneable)

A More Elaborate Cloning Example

Building Comparable Objects (IComparable)

Specifying Multiple Sort Orders (IComparer)

Custom Properties, Custom Sort Types

Summary

Chapter 10: Understanding Generics

The Issues with Non-Generic Collections

The Issue of Performance

The Issue of Type Safety

The Role of Generic Type Parameters

Specifying Type Parameters for Generic Classes / Structures

Specifying Type Parameters for Generic Members

Specifying Type Parameters for Generic Interfaces

The System.Collections.Generic Namespace

Understanding Collection Initialization Syntax

Working with the List(Of T) Class

Working with the Stack(Of T) Class

Working with the Queue(Of T) Class

Working with the SortedSet(Of T) Class

Creating Custom Generic Methods

Inference of Type Parameters

Creating Custom Generic Structures and Classes

The Nothing Keyword in Generic Code

Generic Base Classes

Constraining Type Parameters

Examples Using the As Keyword

The Lack of Operator Constraints

Summary

Chapter 11: Delegates, Events, and Lambdas

Understanding the .NET Delegate Type

Defining a Delegate Type in VB 2010

The System.MulticastDelegate and System.Delegate Base Classes

The Simplest Possible Delegate Example

Investigating a Delegate Object

Sending Object State Notifications Using Delegates

Enabling Multicasting

Removing Targets from a Delegate’s Invocation List

Method Group Conversion Syntax

Understanding Delegate Covariance

Understanding Generic Delegates

Simulating Generic Delegates Without Generics

Understanding VB 2010 Events

The VB 2010 Event Keyword

Events under the Hood

Listening to Incoming Events

Simplifying Event Registration Using Visual Studio 2010

Creating Custom Event Arguments

The Generic EventHandler(Of T) Delegate

Understanding VB 2010 Anonymous Methods

Accessing Local Variables

Understanding Lambda Expressions

Dissecting a Lambda Expression

Processing Arguments Within Multiple Statements

Lambda Expressions with Multiple (or Zero) Parameters

Retrofitting the CarEvents Example Using Lambda Expressions

Summary

Chapter 12: Advanced VB 2010 Language Features

Understanding Indexer Methods

Indexing Data Using String Values

Overloading Indexer Methods

Indexers with Multiple Dimensions

Indexer Definitions on Interface Types

Understanding Operator Overloading

Overloading Binary Operators

And What of the += and –= Operators?

Overloading Unary Operators

Overloading Equality Operators

Overloading Comparison Operators

The Internal Representation of Overloaded Operators

Final Thoughts Regarding Operator Overloading

Understanding Custom Type Conversions

Recall: Numerical Conversions

Recall: Conversions Among Related Class Types

Creating Custom Conversion Routines

Additional Explicit Conversions for the Square Type

Defining Implicit Conversion Routines

The Internal Representation of Custom Conversion Routines

Understanding Extension Methods

Defining Extension Methods

Invoking Extension Methods on an Instance Level

Invoking Extension Methods as Shared Methods

The Scope of an Extension Method

Importing Types That Define Extension Methods

The IntelliSense of Extension Methods

Building and Using Extension Libraries

Extending Interface Types via Extension Methods

Understanding Partial Methods

A First Look at Partial Methods

Uses of Partial Methods

Understanding Anonymous Types

The Internal Representation of Anonymous Types

The Implementation of ToString() and GetHashCode()

The Semantics of Equality for Anonymous Types

Anonymous Types Containing Anonymous Types

Summary

Chapter 13: LINQ to Objects

LINQ Specific Programming Constructs

Implicit Typing of Local Variables

Object and Collection Initialization Syntax

Lambda Expressions

Extension Methods

Anonymous Types

Understanding the Role of LINQ

LINQ Expressions Are Strongly Typed

The Core LINQ Assemblies

Applying LINQ Queries to Primitive Arrays

Once Again, Without LINQ

Reflecting Over a LINQ Result Set

LINQ and Implicitly Typed Local Variables

LINQ and Extension Methods

The Role of Deferred Execution

The Role of Immediate Execution

Returning the Result of a LINQ Query

Returning LINQ Results via Immediate Execution

Applying LINQ Queries to Collection Objects

Accessing Contained Subobjects

Applying LINQ Queries to Nongeneric Collections

Filtering Data Using OfType(Of T)()

Investigating the VB 2010 LINQ Query Operators

Basic Selection Syntax

Obtaining Subsets of Data

Projecting New Data Types

Obtaining Counts Using Enumerable

Reversing Result Sets

Sorting Expressions

LINQ As a Better Venn Diagramming Tool

Removing Duplicates

LINQ Aggregation Operations

The Internal Representation of LINQ Query Statements

Building Query Expressions with Query Operators (Revisited)

Building Query Expressions Using the Enumerable Type and Lambda Expressions

Building Query Expressions Using the Enumerable Type and Anonymous Methods

Building Query Expressions Using the Enumerable Type and Raw Delegates

Summary

Chapter 14: Configuring .NET Assemblies

Observing the Root Namespace

Defining Namespaces Beyond the Root

Defining Custom Namespaces

Resolving Name Clashes with Fully Qualified Names

Resolving Name Clashes with Aliases

Creating Nested Namespaces

The Role of .NET Assemblies

Assemblies Promote Code Reuse

Assemblies Establish a Type Boundary

Assemblies Are Versionable Units

Assemblies Are Self-Describing

Assemblies Are Configurable

Understanding the Format of a .NET Assembly

The Windows File Header

The CLR File Header

CIL Code, Type Metadata, and the Assembly Manifest

Optional Assembly Resources

Single-File and Multifile Assemblies

Building and Consuming a Single-File Assembly

Exploring the Manifest

Exploring the CIL

Exploring the Type Metadata

Building a VB 2010 Client Application

Building a C# Client Application

Cross-Language Inheritance in Action

Building and Consuming a Multifile Assembly

Exploring the ufo.netmodule File

Exploring the airvehicles.dll File

Consuming a Multifile Assembly

Understanding Private Assemblies

The Identity of a Private Assembly

Understanding the Probing Process

Configuring Private Assemblies

Configuration Files and Visual Studio 2010

Understanding Shared Assemblies

Understanding Strong Names

Generating Strong Names at the Command Line

Generating Strong Names using Visual Studio 2010

Installing Strongly Named Assemblies to the GAC

Consuming a Shared Assembly

Exploring the Manifest of SharedCarLibClient

Configuring Shared Assemblies

Freezing the Current Shared Assembly

Building Shared Assembly Version 2.0.0.0

Dynamically Redirecting to Specific Versions of a Shared Assembly

Understanding Publisher Policy Assemblies

Disabling Publisher Policy

Understanding the Element

The System.Configuration Namespace

Summary

Chapter 15: Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming

The Necessity of Type Metadata

Viewing (Partial) Metadata for the EngineState Enumeration

Viewing (Partial) Metadata for the Car Type

Examining a TypeRef

Documenting the Defining Assembly

Documenting Referenced Assemblies

Documenting String Literals

Understanding Reflection

The System.Type Class

Obtaining a Type Reference Using System.Object.GetType()

Obtaining a Type Reference Using System.Type.GetType()

Obtaining a Type Reference Using GetType()

Building a Custom Metadata Viewer

Reflecting on Methods

Reflecting on Fields and Properties

Reflecting on Implemented Interfaces

Displaying Various Odds and Ends

Implementing Main()

Reflecting on Generic Types

Reflecting on Method Parameters and Return Values

Dynamically Loading Assemblies

Reflecting on Shared Assemblies

Understanding Late Binding

The System.Activator Class

Invoking Methods with No Parameters

Invoking Methods with Parameters

Understanding the Role of .NET Attributes

Attribute Consumers

Applying Attributes in VB 2010

VB 2010 Attribute Shorthand Notation

Specifying Constructor Parameters for Attributes

The Obsolete Attribute in Action

Building Custom Attributes

Applying Custom Attributes

Named Property Syntax

Restricting Attribute Usage

Assembly-Level (and Module-Level) Attributes

The Visual Studio 2010 AssemblyInfo.vb File

Reflecting on Attributes Using Early Binding

Reflecting on Attributes Using Late Binding

Putting Reflection, Late Binding, and Custom Attributes in Perspective

Building an Extendable Application

Building CommonSnappableTypes.dll

Building the VB 2010 Snap-In

Building the C# Snap-In

Building an Extendable Windows Forms Application

Summary

Chapter 16: Processes, AppDomains, and Object Contexts

The Role of a Windows Process

The Role of Threads

Interacting with Processes Under the .NET Platform

Enumerating Running Processes

Investigating a Specific Process

Investigating a Process’s Thread Set

Investigating a Process’s Module Set

Starting and Stopping Processes Programmatically

Controlling Process Startup Using the ProcessStartInfo Class

Understanding .NET Application Domains

The System.AppDomain Class

Interacting with the Default Application Domain

Enumerating Loaded Assemblies

Receiving Assembly Load Notifications

Creating New Application Domains

Loading Assemblies into Custom Application Domains

Programmatically Unloading AppDomains

Understanding Object Context Boundaries

Context-Agile and Context-Bound Types

Defining a Context-Bound Object

Inspecting an Object’s Context

Summarizing Processes, AppDomains, and Context

Summary

Chapter 17: Understanding CIL and the Role of Dynamic Assemblies

Reasons for Learning the Grammar of CIL

Examining CIL Directives, Attributes, and Opcodes

The Role of CIL Directives

The Role of CIL Attributes

The Role of CIL Opcodes

The CIL Opcode/CIL Mnemonic Distinction

Pushing and Popping: The Stack-Based Nature of CIL

Understanding Round-Trip Engineering

The Role of CIL Code Labels

Interacting with CIL: Modifying an *.il File

Compiling CIL Code Using ilasm.exe

Authoring CIL Code Using SharpDevelop

The Role of peverify.exe

Understanding CIL Directives and Attributes

Specifying Externally Referenced Assemblies in CIL

Defining the Current Assembly in CIL

Defining Namespaces in CIL

Defining Class Types in CIL

Defining and Implementing Interfaces in CIL

Defining Structures in CIL

Defining Enums in CIL

Defining Generics in CIL

Compiling the CILTypes.il file

.NET Base Class Library, VB 2010, and CIL Data Type Mappings

Defining Type Members in CIL

Defining Field Data in CIL

Defining Type Constructors in CIL

Defining Properties in CIL

Defining Member Parameters

Examining CIL Opcodes

The .maxstack Directive

Declaring Local Variables in CIL

Mapping Parameters to Local Variables in CIL

The Hidden Me Reference

Representing Iteration Constructs in CIL

Building a .NET Assembly with CIL

Building CILCars.dll

Building CILCarClient.exe

Understanding Dynamic Assemblies

Exploring the System.Reflection.Emit Namespace

The Role of the System.Reflection.Emit.ILGenerator

Emitting a Dynamic Assembly

Emitting the Assembly and Module Set

The Role of the ModuleBuilder Type

Emitting the HelloClass Type and the String Member Variable

Emitting the Constructors

Emitting the SayHello() Method

Using the Dynamically Generated Assembly

Summary

Chapter 18: Dynamic Types and the Dynamic Language Runtime

Basics of Dynamic Typing in VB 2010

The Role of Dynamic Typing in VB 2010

Calling Members on Dynamically Declared Data

The Role of the Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll Assembly

The Scope of the Dynamic Objects

Limitations of the Dynamic Type

Practical Uses of the Dynamic Types

The Role of the Dynamic Language Runtime (DLR)

The Role of Expression Trees

The Role of the System.Dynamic Namespace

Dynamic Runtime Lookup of Expression Trees

Simplifying Late Bound Calls Using Dynamic Typing

Leveraging the Dynamic Typing to Pass Arguments

Simplifying COM Interoperability using Dynamic Data

The Role of Primary Interop Assemblies (PIAs)

Embedding Interop Metadata

Common COM Interop Pain Points

COM Interop using VB 2010 Language Features

COM Interop without VB 2010 Language Features

Summary

Chapter 19: Multithreaded and Parallel Programming

The Process/AppDomain/Context/Thread Relationship

The Problem of Concurrency

The Role of Thread Synchronization

A Brief Review of the .NET Delegate

The Asynchronous Nature of Delegates

The BeginInvoke() and EndInvoke() Methods

The System.IAsyncResult Interface

Invoking a Method Asynchronously

Synchronizing the Calling Thread

The Role of the AsyncCallback Delegate

The Role of the AsyncResult Class

Passing and Receiving Custom State Data

The System.Threading Namespace

The System.Threading.Thread Class

Obtaining Statistics About the Current Thread

The Name Property

The Priority Property

Programmatically Creating Secondary Threads

Working with the ThreadStart Delegate

Working with the ParameterizedThreadStart Delegate

The AutoResetEvent Class

Foreground Threads and Background Threads

The Issue of Concurrency

Synchronization Using the VB 2010 SyncLock Keyword

Synchronization Using the System.Threading.Monitor Type

Synchronization Using the System.Threading.Interlocked Type

Synchronization Using the Attribute

Programming with Timer Callbacks

Understanding the CLR ThreadPool

Parallel Programming under the .NET Platform

The Task Parallel Library API

The Role of the Parallel Class

Understanding Data Parallelism

The Task Class

Handling Cancelation Request

Understanding Task Parallelism

Parallel LINQ Queries (PLINQ)

Opting in to a PLINQ Query

Canceling a PLINQ Query

Summary

Chapter 20: File I/O and Object Serialization

Exploring the System.IO Namespace

The Directory(Info) and File(Info) Types

The MustInherit FileSystemInfo Base Class

Working with the DirectoryInfo Type

Enumerating Files with the DirectoryInfo Type

Creating Subdirectories with the DirectoryInfo Type

Working with the Directory Type

Working with the DriveInfo Class Type

Working with the FileInfo Class

The FileInfo.Create() Method

The FileInfo.Open() Method

The FileInfo.OpenRead() and FileInfo.OpenWrite() Methods

The FileInfo.OpenText() Method

The FileInfo.CreateText() and FileInfo.AppendText() Methods

Working with the File Type

Additional File-centric Members

The MustInherit Stream Class

Working with FileStreams

Working with StreamWriters and StreamReaders

Writing to a Text File

Reading from a Text File

Directly Creating StreamWriter/StreamReader Types

Working with StringWriters and StringReaders

Working with BinaryWriters and BinaryReaders

Watching Files Programmatically

Understanding Object Serialization

The Role of Object Graphs

Configuring Objects for Serialization

Defining Serializable Types

Public Fields, Private Fields, and Public Properties

Choosing a Serialization Formatter

The IFormatter and IRemotingFormatter Interfaces

Type Fidelity Among the Formatters

Serializing Objects Using the BinaryFormatter

Deserializing Objects Using the BinaryFormatter

Serializing Objects Using the SoapFormatter

Serializing Objects Using the XmlSerializer

Controlling the Generated XML Data

Serializing Collections of Objects

Customizing the Soap/Binary Serialization Process

A Deeper Look at Object Serialization

Customizing Serialization Using ISerializable

Customizing Serialization Using Attributes

Summary

Chapter 21: ADO.NET Part I: The Connected Layer

A High-Level Definition of ADO.NET

The Three Faces of ADO.NET

Understanding ADO.NET Data Providers

The Microsoft-Supplied ADO.NET Data Providers

A Word Regarding System.Data.OracleClient.dll

Obtaining Third-Party ADO.NET Data Providers

Additional ADO.NET Namespaces

The Types of the System.Data Namespace

The Role of the IDbConnection Interface

The Role of the IDbTransaction Interface

The Role of the IDbCommand Interface

The Role of the IDbDataParameter and IDataParameter Interfaces

The Role of the IDbDataAdapter and IDataAdapter Interfaces

The Role of the IDataReader and IDataRecord Interfaces

Abstracting Data Providers Using Interfaces

Increasing Flexibility Using Application Configuration Files

Creating the AutoLot Database

Creating the Inventory Table

Authoring the GetPetName() Stored Procedure

Creating the Customers and Orders Tables

Visually Creating Table Relationships

The ADO.NET Data Provider Factory Model

A Complete Data Provider Factory Example

A Potential Drawback with the Provide Factory Model

The Element

Understanding the Connected Layer of ADO.NET

Working with Connection Objects

Working with ConnectionStringBuilder Objects

Working with Command Objects

Working with Data Readers

Obtaining Multiple Result Sets Using a Data Reader

Building a Reusable Data Access Library

Adding the Connection Logic

Adding the Insertion Logic

Adding the Deletion Logic

Adding the Update Logic

Adding the Selection Logic

Working with Parameterized Command Objects

Specifying Parameters Using the DbParameter Type

Executing a Stored Procedure

Creating a Console UI–Based Front End

Implementing the Main() Method

Implementing the ShowInstructions() Method

Implementing the ListInventory() Method

Implementing the DeleteCar() Method

Implementing the InsertNewCar() Method

Implementing the UpdateCarPetName() Method

Implementing LookUpPetName()

Understanding Database Transactions

Key Members of an ADO.NET Transaction Object

Adding a CreditRisks Table to the AutoLot Database

Adding a Transaction Method to InventoryDAL

Testing Your Database Transaction

Summary

Chapter 22: ADO.NET Part II: The Disconnected Layer

Understanding the Disconnected Layer of ADO.NET

Understanding the Role of the DataSet

Key Properties of the DataSet

Key Methods of the DataSet

Building a DataSet

Working with DataColumns

Building a DataColumn

Enabling Autoincrementing Fields

Adding DataColumn Objects to a DataTable

Working with DataRows

Understanding the RowState Property

Understanding the DataRowVersion Property

Working with DataTables

Inserting DataTables into DataSets

Obtaining Data in a DataSet

Processing DataTable Data Using DataTableReader Objects

Serializing DataTable/DataSet Objects As XML

Serializing DataTable/DataSet Objects in a Binary Format

Binding DataTable Objects to Windows Forms GUIs

Hydrating a DataTable from a Generic List(Of T)

Deleting Rows from a DataTable

Selecting Rows Based on Filter Criteria

Updating Rows Within a DataTable

Working with the DataView Type

Working with Data Adapters

A Simple Data Adapter Example

Mapping Database Names to Friendly Names

Adding Disconnection Functionality to AutoLotDAL.dll

Defining the Initial Class Type

Configuring the Data Adapter Using the SqlCommandBuilder

Implementing GetAllInventory()

Implementing UpdateInventory()

Setting Your Version Number

Testing the Disconnected Functionality

Multitabled DataSet Objects and Data Relationships

Prepping the Data Adapters

Building the Table Relationships

Updating the Database Tables

Navigating Between Related Tables

The Windows Forms Database Designer Tools

Visually Designing the DataGridView

The Generated app.config File

Examining the Strongly Typed DataSet

Examining the Strongly Typed DataTable

Examining the Strongly Typed DataRow

Examining the Strongly Typed Data Adapter

Completing the Windows Forms Application

Isolating Strongly Typed Database Code into a Class Library

Viewing the Generated Code

Selecting Data with the Generated Code

Inserting Data with the Generated Code

Deleting Data with the Generated Code

Invoking a Stored Procedure using the Generated Code

Programming with LINQ to DataSet

The Role of the DataSet Extensions Library

Obtaining a LINQ-Compatible DataTable

The Role of the DataRowExtensions.Field(Of T)() Extension Method

Hydrating New DataTables from LINQ Queries

Summary

Chapter 23: ADO.NET Part III: The Entity Framework

Understanding the Role of Entity Framework

The Role of Entities

The Building Blocks of the Entity Framework

The Role of Object Services

The Role of the Entity Client

The Role of the *.edmx File (and Friends)

The Role of the ObjectContext and ObjectSet(Of T) Classes

All Together Now!

Building and Analyzing your First EDM

Generating the *.edmx File

Reshaping the Entity Data

Viewing the Mappings

Viewing the Generated *.edmx File Data

Viewing the Generated Source Code

Enhancing the Generated Source Code

Programming Against the Conceptual Model

Deleting a Record

Updating a Record

Querying with LINQ to Entities

Querying with Entity SQL

Working with the Entity Client Data Reader Object

AutoLotDAL Version 4.0, Now with Entities

Mapping the Stored Procedure

The Role of Navigation Properties

Using Navigation Properties within LINQ to Entity Queries

Invoking a Stored Procedure

Data Binding Entities to Windows Forms GUIs

Adding the Data Binding Code

Summary

Chapter 24: Introducing LINQ to XML

A Tale of Two XML APIs

LINQ to XML As a Better DOM

VB 2010 Literal Syntax As a Better LINQ to XML

Members of the System.Xml.Linq Namespace

The LINQ to XML Axis Methods

The Oddness of XName (and XNamespace)

Working with XElement and XDocument

Generating Documents from Arrays and Containers

Loading and Parsing XML Content

Manipulating an in Memory XML Document

Building the UI of the LINQ to XML App

Import the Inventory.xml File

Defining a LINQ to XML Helper Class

Rigging up the UI to Your Helper Class

Summary

Chapter 25: Introducing Windows Communication Foundation

A Potpourri of Distributed Computing APIs

The Role of DCOM

The Role of COM+/Enterprise Services

The Role of MSMQ

The Role of .NET Remoting

The Role of XML Web Services

A .NET Web Service Example

Web Service Standards

Named Pipes, Sockets, and P2P

The Role of WCF

An Overview of WCF Features

An Overview of Service-Oriented Architecture

Tenet 1: Boundaries Are Explicit

Tenet 2: Services Are Autonomous

Tenet 3: Services Communicate via Contract, Not Implementation

Tenet 4: Service Compatibility Is Based on Policy

WCF: The Bottom Line

Investigating the Core WCF Assemblies

The Visual Studio WCF Project Templates

The WCF Service Website Project Template

The Basic Composition of a WCF Application

The ABCs of WCF

Understanding WCF Contracts

Understanding WCF Bindings

HTTP-Based Bindings

TCP-Based Bindings

MSMQ-Based Bindings

Understanding WCF Addresses

Building a WCF Service

The Attribute

The Attribute

Service Types As Operational Contracts

Hosting the WCF Service

Establishing the ABCs Within an App.config File

Coding Against the ServiceHost Type

Specifying Base Addresses

Details of the ServiceHost Type

Details of the Element

Enabling Metadata Exchange

Building the WCF Client Application

Generating Proxy Code Using svcutil.exe

Generating Proxy Code Using Visual Studio 2010

Configuring a TCP-Based Binding

Simplifying Configuration Settings with WCF 4.0

Default Endpoints in WCF 4.0

Exposing a Single WCF Service Using Multiple Bindings

Changing Settings for a WCF Binding

The WCF 4.0 Default MEX Behavior Configuration

Refreshing the Client Proxy and Selecting the Binding

Using the WCF Service Library Project Template

Building a Simple Math Service

Testing the WCF Service with WcfTestClient.exe

Altering Configuration Files Using SvcConfigEditor.exe

Hosting the WCF Service within a Windows Service

Specifying the ABCs in Code

Enabling MEX

Creating a Windows Service Installer

Installing the Windows Service

Invoking a Service Asynchronously from the Client

Designing WCF Data Contracts

Using the Web-Centric WCF Service Project Template

Implementing the Service Contract

The Role of the *.svc File

Examining the Web.config File

Testing the Service

Summary

Chapter 26: Introducing Windows Workflow Foundation 4.0

Defining a Business Process

The Role of WF 4.0

Building a (Painfully) Simple Workflow

Viewing the Underlying XAML

The WF 4.0 Runtime

Hosting a Workflow using WorkflowInvoker

Passing Arguments to your Workflow using WorkflowInvoker

Defining Arguments Using the Workflow Designer

Hosting a Workflow using WorkflowApplication

Recap of your First Workflow

Examining the Workflow 4.0 Activities

Control Flow Activities

Flowchart Activities

Messaging Activities

The Runtime and Primitives Activities

The Transaction Activities

The Collection and Error Handling Activities

Building a Flowchart Workflow

Connecting Activities in a Flowchart

Working with the InvokeMethod Activity

Defining Workflow Wide Variables

Working with the FlowDecision Activity

Working with the TerminateWorkflow Activity

Building the “True” Condition

Working with the ForEach Activity

Completing the Application

Reflecting on What We Have Done

Isolating Workflows into Dedicated Libraries

Defining the Initial Project

Importing Assemblies and Namespaces

Defining the Workflow Arguments

Defining Workflow Variables

Working with the Assign Activity

Working with the If and Switch Activities

Building a Custom Code Activity

Consuming the Workflow Library

Retrieving the Workflow Output Argument

Summary

Chapter 27: Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation and XAML

The Motivation Behind WPF

Unifying Diverse APIs

Providing a Separation of Concerns via XAML

Providing an Optimized Rendering Model

Simplifying Complex UI Programming

The Various Flavors of WPF

Traditional Desktop Applications

Navigation-Based WPF Applications

XBAP Applications

The WPF/Silverlight Relationship

Investigating the WPF Assemblies

The Role of the Application Class

Constructing an Application Class

Enumerating the Application.Windows collection

The Role of the Window Class

The Role of System.Windows.Controls.ContentControl

The Role of System.Windows.Controls.Control

The Role of System.Windows.FrameworkElement

The Role of System.Windows.UIElement

The Role of System.Windows.Media.Visual

The Role of System.Windows.DependencyObject

The Role of System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherObject

Building a WPF Application without XAML

Creating a Strongly Typed Window

Creating a Simple User Interface

Interacting with Application Level Data

Handling the Closing of a Window Object

Intercepting Mouse Events

Intercepting Keyboard Events

Building a WPF Application using Only XAML

Defining MainWindow in XAML

Defining the Application Object in XAML

Processing the XAML Files using msbuild.exe

Transforming Markup into a .NET Assembly

Mapping the Window XAML Data to VB 2010 Code

The Role of BAML

Mapping the Application XAML Data to VB 2010 Code

XAML-to-Assembly Process Summary

Understanding The Syntax of WPF XAML

Introducing Kaxaml

XAML XML Namespaces and XAML "Keywords"

Controlling Class and Member Variable Declarations

XAML Elements, XAML Attributes and Type Converters

Understanding XAML Property-Element Syntax

Understanding XAML Attached Properties

Understanding XAML Markup Extensions

Building a WPF Application using Code-Behind Files

Adding a Code File for the MainWindow Class

Adding a Code File for the MyApp Class

Processing the Code Files with msbuild.exe

Building WPF Applications Using Visual Studio 2010

The WPF Project Templates

Exploring the WPF Designer Tools

Designing the GUI of our Window

Implementing the Loaded Event

Implementing the Button’s Click Event

Implementing the Closed Event

Testing the Application

Summary

Chapter 28: Programming with WPF Controls

A Survey of the Core WPF Controls

Working with WPF Controls Using Visual Studio 2010

The WPF Ink Controls

The WPF Document Controls

WPF Common Dialog Boxes

The Details Are in the Documentation

Controlling Content Layout Using Panels

Positioning Content Within Canvas Panels

Positioning Content Within WrapPanel Panels

Positioning Content Within StackPanel Panels

Positioning Content Within Grid Panels

Grids with GridSplitter Types

Positioning Content Within DockPanel Panels

Enabling Scrolling for Panel Types

Building a Window’s Frame Using Nested Panels

Building the Menu System

Building the ToolBar

Building the StatusBar

Finalizing the UI Design

Implementing the MouseEnter/MouseLeave Event Handlers

Implementing the Spell Checking Logic

Understanding WPF Control Commands

The Intrinsic Control Command Objects

Connecting Commands to Arbitrary Actions

Working with the Open and Save Commands

Building a WPF User Interface with Expression Blend

Getting to know the Key Aspects of the Blend IDE

Using the TabControl

Building the Ink API Tab

Designing the ToolBar

The RadioButton Control

The InkCanvas Control

The ComboBox Control

Saving, Loading, and Clearing InkCanvas Data

Introducing the Documents API

Block Elements and Inline Elements

Document Layout Managers

Building the Documents Tab

Populating a FlowDocument using Blend

Populating a FlowDocument Using Code

Enabling Annotations and Sticky Notes

Saving and Loading a Flow Document

Introducing the WPF Data-Binding Model

Building the Data Binding Tab

Establishing Data Bindings using Blend

The DataContext Property

Data Conversion Using IValueConverter

Establishing Data Bindings in Code

Building the DataGrid Tab

Summary

Chapter 29: WPF Graphics Rendering Services

Understanding WPF’s Graphical Rendering Services

WPF Graphical Rendering Options

Rendering Graphical Data Using Shapes

Adding Rectangles, Ellipses, and Lines to a Canvas

Removing Rectangles, Ellipses, and Lines from a Canvas

Working with Polylines and Polygons

Working with Paths

The Path “Modeling Mini Language”

WPF Brushes and Pens

Configuring Brushes Using Visual Studio 2010

Configuring Brushes in Code

Configuring Pens

Applying Graphical Transformations

A First Look at Transformations

Transforming our Canvas Data

Working with Shapes using Expression Blend

Selecting a Shape to Render from the Tool Palette

Converting Shapes to Paths

Combining Shapes

The Brush and Transformation Editors

Rendering Graphical Data Using Drawings and Geometries

Building a DrawingBrush using Geometries

Painting with the DrawingBrush

Containing Drawing Types in a DrawingImage

Generating Complex Vector Graphics using Expression Design

Exporting a Design Document to XAML

Rendering Graphical Data Using the Visual Layer

The Visual Base Class and Derived Child Classes

A First Look at using the DrawingVisual Class

Rendering Visual Data to a Custom Layout Manager

Responding to Hit Test Operations

Summary

Chapter 30: WPF Resources, Animations, and Styles

Understanding the WPF Resource System

Working with Binary Resources

Including Loose Resource Files in a Project

Configuring the Loose Resources

Programmatically Loading an Image

Embedding Application Resources

Working with Object (Logical) Resources

The Role of the Resources Property

Defining Window-Wide Resources

The {StaticResource} Markup Extension

Changing a Resource after Extraction

The {DynamicResource} Markup Extension

Application-Level Resources

Defining Merged Resource Dictionaries

Defining a Resource-Only Assembly

Extracting Resources in Expression Blend

Understanding WPF’s Animation Services

The Role of the Animation Class Types

The To, From, and By Properties

The Role of the Timeline Base Class

Authoring an Animation in VB 2010 Code

Controlling the Pacing of an Animation

Reversing and Looping an Animation

Authoring Animations in XAML

The Role of Storyboards

The Role of Event Triggers

Animation Using Discrete Key Frames

Understanding the Role of WPF Styles

Defining and Applying a Style

Overriding Style Settings

Automatically Applying a Style with TargetType

Subclassing Existing Styles

The Role of Unnamed Styles

Defining Styles with Triggers

Defining Styles with Multiple Triggers

Animated Styles

Assigning Styles Programmatically

Generating Styles with Expression Blend

Working with Default Visual Styles

Summary

Chapter 31: WPF Control Templates and UserControls

Understanding the Role of Dependency Properties

Examining an Existing Dependency Property

Important Notes Regarding CLR Property Wrappers

Building a Custom Dependency Property

Adding a Data Validation Routine

Responding to the Property Change

Understanding Routed Events

The Role of Routed Bubbling Events

Continuing or Halting Bubbling

The Role of Routed Tunneling Events

Logical Trees, Visual Trees and Default Templates

Programmatically Inspecting a Logical Tree

Programmatically Inspecting a Visual Tree

Programmatically Inspecting a Control’s Default Template

Building a Custom Control Template with Visual Studio 2010

Templates as Resources

Incorporating Visual Cues using Triggers

The Role of {TemplateBinding} Markup Extension

The Role of ContentPresenter

Incorporating Templates into Styles

Building Custom UserControls with Blend

Creating a UserControl Library Project

Renaming the Initial UserControl

Designing the SpinControl

Adding the Initial VB 2010 Code

Defining an Animation using Blend

Programmatically Starting our Storyboard

Creating the Jackpot Deluxe WPF Application

Extracting a UserControl from a Drawing Geometry

The Role of .NET 4.0 Visual States

Defining Visual States for the StarButton Control

Defining State Transition Timings

Viewing the Generated XAML

Changing Visual States in Code using the VisualStateManager Class

Finalizing the Jackpot Deluxe Application

Summary

Chapter 32: Building ASP.NET Web Pages

The Role of HTTP

The HTTP Request/Response Cycle

HTTP Is a Stateless Protocol

Understanding Web Applications and Web Servers

The Role of IIS Virtual Directories

The ASP.NET Development Web Server

The Role of HTML

HTML Document Structure

The Role of an HTML Form

The Visual Studio 2010 HTML Designer Tools

Building an HTML Form

The Role of Client-Side Scripting

A Client-Side Scripting Example

Posting Back to the Web Server

Postbacks under ASP.NET

The Feature Set of the ASP.NET API

Major Features of ASP.NET 1.0-1.1

Major Features of ASP.NET 2.0

Major Features of ASP.NET 3.5 (and .NET 3.5 SP1)

Major Features of ASP.NET 4.0

Building a Single File ASP.NET Web Page

Referencing AutoLotDAL.dll

Designing the UI

Adding the Data Access Logic

The Role of ASP.NET Directives

Analyzing the “Script” Block

Analyzing the ASP.NET Control Declarations

Compilation Cycle for Single-File Pages

Building an ASP.NET Web Page using Code Files

Referencing the AutoLotDAL.dll Assembly

Updating the Code File

Compilation Cycle for Multifile Pages

Debugging and Tracing ASP.NET Pages

ASP.NET Web Sites and ASP.NET Web Applications

The ASP.NET Web Site Directory Structure

Referencing Assemblies

The Role of the App_Code Folder

The Inheritance Chain of the Page Type

Interacting with the Incoming HTTP Request

Obtaining Brower Statistics

Access to Incoming Form Data

The IsPostBack Property

Interacting with the Outgoing HTTP Response

Emitting HTML Content

Redirecting Users

The Life Cycle of an ASP.NET Web Page

The Error Event

The Role of the Web.config File

The ASP.NET Website Administration Utility

Summary

Chapter 33: ASP.NET Web Controls, Master Pages, and Themes

Understanding the Nature of Web Controls

Understanding Server-Side Event Handling

The AutoPostBack Property

The Control and WebControl Base Classes

Enumerating Contained Controls

Dynamically Adding and Removing Controls

Interacting with Dynamically Created Controls

Functionality of the WebControl Base Class

Major Categories of ASP.NET Web Controls

A Brief Word Regarding System.Web.UI.HtmlControls

Web Control Documentation

Building the ASP.NET Cars Web Site

Working with ASP.NET Master Pages

Working with the TreeView Control Site Navigation Logic

Establishing Bread Crumbs with the SiteMapPath Type

Working with the AdRotator

Defining the Default Content Page

Designing the Inventory Content Page

Enabling Sorting and Paging

Enabling In-Place Editing

Designing the Build-a-Car Content Page

The Role of the Validation Controls

The RequiredFieldValidator

The RegularExpressionValidator

The RangeValidator

The CompareValidator

Creating Validation Summaries

Defining Validation Groups

Working with Themes

Understanding *.skin Files

Applying Sitewide Themes

Applying Themes at the Page Level

The SkinID Property

Assigning Themes Programmatically

Summary

Chapter 34: ASP.NET State Management Techniques

The Issue of State

ASP.NET State Management Techniques

Understanding the Role of ASP.NET View State

Demonstrating View State

Adding Custom View State Data

The Role of the Global.asax File

The Global Last-Chance Exception Event Handler

The HttpApplication Base Class

Understanding the Application/Session Distinction

Maintaining Application-Level State Data

Modifying Application Data

Handling Web Application Shutdown

Working with the Application Cache

Fun with Data Caching

Modifying the *.aspx File

Maintaining Session Data

Additional Members of HttpSessionState

Understanding Cookies

Creating Cookies

Reading Incoming Cookie Data

The Role of the Element

Storing Session Data in the ASP.NET Session State Server

Storing Session Data in a Dedicated Database

Understanding the ASP.NET Profile API

The ASPNETDB.mdf Database

Defining a User Profile Within Web.config

Accessing Profile Data Programmatically

Grouping Profile Data and Persisting Custom Objects

Summary

Appendix A: Programming with Windows Forms

The Windows Forms Namespaces

Building a Simple Windows Forms Application

Populating the Controls Collection

The Role of System.EventArgs and System.EventHandler

The Visual Studio Windows Forms Project Template

The Visual Designer Surface

Dissecting the Initial Form

Visually Building a Menu System

The System.EventHandler Delegate

The Anatomy of a Form

The Functionality of the Control Class

The Functionality of the Form Class

The Life Cycle of a Form Type

Responding to Mouse and Keyboard Activity

Determining Which Mouse Button Was Clicked

Determining Which Key Was Pressed

Designing Dialog Boxes

The DialogResult Property

Configuring the Tab Order

The Tab Order Wizard

Setting the Form’s Default Input Button

Displaying Dialog Boxes

Understanding Form Inheritance

Rendering Graphical Data Using GDI+

The System.Drawing Namespace

The Role of the Graphics Type

Obtaining a Graphics Object with the Paint Event

Invalidating the Form’s Client Area

Building a Complete Windows Forms Application

Building the Main Menu System

Defining the ShapeData Type

Defining the ShapePickerDialog Type

Adding Infrastructure to the MainWindow Type

Implementing the Tools Menu Functionality

Capturing and Rendering the Graphical Output

Implementing the Serialization Logic

Summary

Appendix B: Platform-Independent .NET Development with Mono

The Platform-Independent Nature of .NET

The Role of the CLI

The Mainstream CLI Distributions

The Scope of Mono

Obtaining and Installing Mono

Examining Mono’s Directory Structure

The Mono Development Languages

Working with the VB 2010 Compiler

Building Mono Applications using MonoDevelop

Microsoft-Compatible Mono Development Tools

Mono-Specific Development Tools

Using monop

Building .NET Applications with Mono

Building a Mono Code Library

Assigning CoreLibDumper.dll a Strong Name

Viewing the Updated Manifest with monodis

Installing Assemblies into the Mono GAC

Building a Console Application in Mono

Loading Your Client Application in the Mono Runtime

Executing Your Windows Forms Application Under Linux

Who is Using Mono?

Suggestions for Further Study

Summary

Index