API/Library for VB.NET

[CS Tutor]

Hello,

I am a Java programmer and I am used to finding out what functions are
written out for me in the Java API provided by Sun on their website.

Now for VB.NET is there a similar online resource? That tells me which
function is in what library, and what its purpose is?

For instance, I have been trying to figure out what this statement does:

ValidateMDBExistence = Dir(Application.StartupPath & "xyz.mdb")

I have an idea, it is trying to find out the startup path of the application
and looking for xyz.mdb in that folder. But for some reason I'm not getting
what I want. So, can you please point me to the API/library resource online
for VB.Net?

Thanks.

 

[Cor]

Hi CS Tutor,

Now for VB.NET is there a similar online resource? That tells me which
function is in what library, and what its purpose is?
For instance, I have been trying to figure out what this statement does:
ValidateMDBExistence = Dir(Application.StartupPath & "xyz.mdb")
I have an idea, it is trying to find out the startup path of the application
and looking for xyz.mdb in that folder.

Your idea is right, but this has few to do with API.
Vb.net, J# and C# are languages that create (almost the same) intermediate
code.
They use the framework as a kind of runtimer.
Although you can use API's, is that only normal use when there is no
alternative.
(And for me that becomes more and more seldom, there is so much in the
framework)

You probably won't find "ValidateMDBExistence" never, because it is a
String made by the programmer.
In vb.net that is created by
dim ValidateMDBexistence as string

"Dir" is a so called function (most functions are Microsoft.VisualBasic and
addition but full part of the framework)

"Application.StartupPath" the startuppath of the application

"&" the concationation character like in java + (also usable in vb.net but
not preferred)

"xyz.mdb" the file name as a string.

So when you are looking for information about words in this operation, you
can find normaly only:
"dir", "application" and "startuppath".
"=" and "&" are not to find because the search system cannot recognise them
and you have to look for "operators".
The other words are created by the programmer.

I hope this gives some understanding.
Cor

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Your idea is right, but this has few to do with API.

I always thought that even the .NET framework is an API.

 

[Cor]

Hi Herfried,
When you buy an egg, do you than want to know how you make that egg
yourself?
)
Cor

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

When you buy an egg, do you than want to know how you make that egg
yourself?

))

 

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

CS Tutor,
In addition to the others comments:

The .NET Framework SDK can be found on-line at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnanchor/html/netfxanchor.asp

The Class Library itself can be found at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpref/html/cpref_start.asp

The VB.NET Language & Runtime can be found at:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...y/en-us/vbcn7/html/vaconProgrammingWithVB.asp

"Application" is an object out of the Class Library.

"Dir" is a function out of the VB.NET Runtime.

Hope this helps
Jay

 

[Tom Spink]

I made an egg once.

--
HTH,
-- Tom Spink, Über Geek

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