9/4/2009

By: JESILO© 2009

Hardware vrs Software

What is a Hardware?
 Physical components of a computer.
 It is tangible and appreciated.

What is a Software?
 Made of instructions.
 Unseen/ intangible/ not physically appreciated.

Our focus:
 Software development with Visual BASIC.NET

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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Programming
What is Programming or a programme?
 Consider a programme lineout handed to you in a ceremony
 Consider a schedule

A Step-by-step list of BASIC actions to be performed to

complete a specific task or function.

Examples:
 Going to Accra
 Putting on a computer

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

Programming
Further examples:
 Finding the sum of two numbers
 Finding the area of a rectangle
 Finding the Profit (selling price – cost price)
 Finding the greater of two numbers
 Finding the greater of three numbers

Note:
A program can be as simple as finding the sum of two numbers or as
complex as finding the integral of an equation

Assignment:
Finding the greater of more than three numbers

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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Programming
Programme representations:
 Algorithm
 Pseudo code
 Flowcharts
Example: finding the greater of two numbers
Algorithm Pseudo code Flowchart
Int a, b, greater
1. Get two numbers ‘a’ and ‘b’ 1. Let a, b and greater be
numbers Input a, b
2. If ‘a’ is greater than ‘b’ then
the greater is ‘a’ else the 2. Input a, b Yes No
greater is ‘b’ a>b?
3. If a>b then greater = a
3. Give the greater number else greater =b greater = a greater = b

4. Output greater
Output greater

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

Programming Language
What is a language?
 systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or
conventional symbols
Common Natural Languages:
 Ewe
 Twi
 English
 French
Common Programming Languages
 VB.NET
 C++
 Java
 Perl
Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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BASIC
BASIC stands for:
Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

There has been several versions:

 Qbasic
 Quick Basic
 Visual Basic

But now we’ll be using Visual Basic.NET

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

VB vrs VB.NET
What is the difference between VB and VB.NET?

Visual BASIC Visual BASIC.NET

Not fully object oriented Fully object oriented

Supports only windows Supports both windows and web

applications applications

Has very large standard libraries

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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.NET
What is .NET?
 It is a software framework by Microsoft; introduced in 2006.
 It is made of several parts
- Common Language Runtime (CLR)
- Base Class Library (BCL)
- Compilers for different languages
Our Focus:
 VB.NET Compiler
- A compiler is primarily used for programs that translate source code from a
high level language to a lower level language (zeros and ones)
- Compiles to Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL)
- During execution MSIL is JIT-compiled into Machine Code

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

.NET Compilation

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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.NET Advantages
Advantages of the .NET Framework?
 Language Interoperability
 Strong support for the Web
 Eradicates DLL Hell (Versioning problems)
 Enhanced Security
 Strong support for small devices
 Simplified development efforts
 Easy application deployment and maintenance
 Robust managed-code environment

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

.NET Installation
How to install the .NET Framework?
For the solution to this, go to the masters:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0
856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en

Download and install any version higher than version 2.0

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009

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References
 http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=what+is+a+language&
meta=
 dotNET Tutorials for Beginners
 http://www.startvbdotnet.com/dotnet/frameworkadvantages.asp
x
 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/bb278106.aspx
 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/embedded/bb278 106.aspx

Regent University, Ghana By: JESILO© 2009