Fundamental Programming Advice - "Parallel Tasks"

I have always been able to program simple "linear" code (ie. Step 1, Step 2, Step 3...) but have never been able to program anything that requires "parallel" tasks (ie. video games where one player moves up while another simultaneously moves down.) This type of programming was never really taught in my schooling.

I find "starting" an app in VB.NET doesn't help me because the initial "form" that you would create is essentially "static" unless you click something...but what if you wanted something to "run" in the background continuously while the form waiting for input?

Scenario: I have a form that inputs two fields into an array. The first field asks for a date/time and the second field asks for a message to display at that time. Now obviously I need another process in the background that will continuously "scan" the records in the array's first field list so that it can display the text when any of the date/times come up.

I have tried "starting" with a Module (VB.NET) as opposed to a blank Form and it will indeed "run" a process without a form needed...but now my problem is reversed...how do I call a form up while this is running so that the user can input information?

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance...

ENV
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The main phrase here is 'Multi Threading'. It has been discussed many times here on the forum. You can do a search for it here (http://www.vbforums.com/search.php?) or on Google.

Also, edit your post and remove the email address from it. There are Bots that scan forums to pick up email addresses. You might end up getting your address spamed.

You should add the address to your profile (from the User CP), that way members can send you an email through the forum, and Bots wont be able to pick it up.