[2008] Where to start (learning VB.NET)

[nebeno]

I want to learn VB in order to make programs that will scan through financial market data (comma separated .CSV files) and look for various patterns, etc. So far I've gone through some really basic tutorials online (I can make a calculator, open and save files, etc). But, that doesn't seem to be getting me very close to learning what I need to know to write my main program. My question then, should I keep plugging away at tutorials and eventually I will be able to apply more of what I learn, or should I dive into the big program I really want to write, and try to take it step by step and ask lots of questions? Whats the best way to learn? Maybe just do both at the same time? If I could find tutorials that would be really related, that would be great. But I try looking through all the example code at Microsoft's website, and I'm not even sure where to start.

So if anyone can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.
Thanks

[Typhoon808]

It's always great to make programs which you need to ask questions for. It gives you a much steeper learning curve and increases your ability to write similar programs. I would recommend checking out some more tutorials, but it's totally up to you if you want to start your main program now. I'm sure you will learn a lot from it's development.

Also, if you are looking for some good tutorials, check out the Home and Learn website.

[Shaggy Hiker]

In my opinion: Dive in. Not everybody will agree with that, but you will learn much faster if you are working on a project that you have an immediate interest in, rather than working on something abstract.

What I would do would be to sit down and break the big project into steps. For example, you have already identified that the data will be in .CSV files. Therefore, one step will be opening .CSV files. One related item is the question of what to do with the data once you read the file. You can easily split it up into individual fields, since it is comma separated, but then what? I would suggest that you consider either a class that held item data (it might have a name field, and a value field), or a datatable to hold the data. What you don't want to do, if you can avoid it, is leave the data as text. That pretty much sucks.

Part of the decision of what to do with the data as read from the file, will depend on what you intend the program to do, and what the data looks like. If it looks like tabular data, then a datatable is great. If it looks like discrete pieces of data all stuck together, then a class that wraps the data, along with a list of that class, would be best.

Lay out what you want the program to do in text, then divide it into pieces that need to be accomplished, and go from there.

[RobDog888]

I agree on diving in. Interest is a major factor in learning.

2005:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700732.aspx
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa718408.aspx

2008:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vs2008/bb964532.aspx

Wouldnt hurt to take a look at either.