Datasheet

Let’s Get Started
Obviously, before you do anything else, you’re going to need to install Visual Basic Express on your
computer. Microsoft has fine-tuned this process over the years, and you’ll find the steps to be as easy as
1-2-3.
When you go through the Visual Basic 2005 Express Setup wizard, you need to select only a couple of
options before the setup process takes over and does the rest for you. After you read and accept the
license agreement, the installation program will examine your system and present you with a list of two
optional products (see Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1
As far as I’m concerned, both of the optional components are essential:
❑ The MSDN Express Library includes the documentation for both the .NET Framework and
Visual Basic 2005 Express. If you do not include this in the installation, you will have only very
rudimentary help available to you without going to the Internet.
❑ The second option includes SQL Server 2005 Express Edition in the installation process so that
you can develop full-blown database-based applications. And if you’re still not convinced, you
will need it to be installed if you want to complete all of the exercises and tasks set out in this
book.
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Chapter 1
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