VB.Net Interview Questions

1. What is VB.Net
   VB.Net is the latest version of Microsoft's Visual Basic language, designed to run within the .Net framework.
   The .NET Framework is a new programming model designed to simplify application development in the highly distributed environment of the Internet. Software running on the .NET Framework can communicate with software running anywhere else through SOAP and can use standard objects locally or distributed across the Internet. Consequently, the developer experience is made consistent so that you can focus on features rather than on plumbing.
2. How is VB.Net different from VB6?
   Some people have described the changes as dramatic--let's put it this way, if you are a VB6 programmer, you'll recognize many parts of VB.Net, but you'll also feel uncomfortable with others. Either way, it's a new ball game.
3. If I'm new to programming, which one should I learn--VB6 or VB.Net
   Not an easy question to answer for the following reasons--I'll give you some food for thought.
   First, I'm not sure about the future of VB.Net.
   From my perspective as the advocate for the beginner programmer, I don't yet know how widely it will be embraced, how affordable it will be for the average person, and how learning it will enhance your employability. It may be that other languages, such as Java and C#, become the new standard for the beginner.
   Secondly, when setting out to learn a programming language, what should you look for?
   Books, classes. support venues (such as Web pages,newsgroups, etc). At this stage of the game, even though there are dozens of books that claim to teach beginners VB.Net, there are really only a few (mine among them) and to my knowledge, with the exception of my VB.Net class beginning on April 2nd, there are no classes available. There are some web pages and newsgroups out there, but not nearly as many as prior versions of VB.
   In short, if you need to learn VB in the next two weeks, you may want to pick up a copy of my Introductory VB6 book, which comes with a copy of VB6.
4. What is the Common Language Runtime?
   The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is that part of the .Net environment which executes programs. The great thing about the CLR isn't the CLR itself, but the fact that languages which are developed to run under the CLR have interoperability. Microsoft says that ".Net languages are only lenses through which programmers see the same underlying framework."
   What that means, in theory, is that code that you write in VB.Net can run in the Visual C++ or Visual C# environment WITHOUT modification. Even better, if the .NET framework is ported to run on Unix or Macintosh PC's, the code will also run--WITHOUT modifications.
5. Will VB.Net run on my PC?
   That depends. At a minimum, you must be running Windows NT, 2000, or XP. That means if you are running Windows 95 or 98 (yes, there still are people doing that), you're out of luck.
   http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?site=11133&subid=22&pg=3
6. Is there an easy way to convert my VB6 programs to VB.Net?
   I'm not sure how easy it is, but Microsoft has provided a Visual Basic .Net Upgrade Wizard to convert VB6 programs to VB.Net. My experience with it hasn't been all that great---but Microsoft claims that the Upgrade Wizard, which will upgrade 95 percent of your existing Visual Basic 6.0 code to Visual Basic .NET
7. Is VB.Net the same as .Net?
   No. VB.Net is just one of many languages that runs under the .Net framework. Right now, the others are C++ and C# (and COBOL if you can believe it)
   When you hear people speaking about .Net, they may be speaking of the .Net Enterprise tools, packaged as Visual Studio.Net, which encompass all of these languages. For more, check this link:

8. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/default.asp

9. Why did Microsoft have to change VB?
   VB had to change because of Microsoft's movement to the .Net framework. VB6, as we know it, doesn't produce Common Language Runtime compliant code.
10. How can so many books be available on VB.Net when the product isn't for sale yet?

1. What are the System Requirements for VB.Net?

2. For the Standard Edition, you need

   Windows NT, 2000 or XP

   Lots of memory (depends on the Operating System)

   Lots of disk storage (500 MB to 2 Gigabytes)

   A CD or DVD drive

   For details, check this link:

   http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/productinfo/sysreq.asp

3. What will happen to VB6?
   Microsoft has announced they intend to support VB6, via Service Packs, into the near future.
   VB6 Certification exams will continue to be offered as well.

4. I've heard VB6 analogized to dBase---there are still a zillion dBase applications running today, and still people writing new applications in dBase. VB6 isn't going to go away---with a zillion VB6 applications written (and no easy way to migrate them to VB.Net), if you are a VB6 programmer, you should still have plenty of work for the foreseeable future.

   For details on Microsoft's VB6 intentions,, check this link, which is an interview with the Microsoft VB.Net Product manager

   http://www.universalthread.com/Magazine/June2001/Page14.asp

5. Will there be Certification exams for VB.Net?
   I'm sure there will be, but I don't know the details yet.
   Check this link, which is an interview with the Microsoft VB.Net Product manager, which contains information about the VB.Net Certification exams.

6. http://www.universalthread.com/Magazine/June2001/Page14.asp

7. I've taken and passed the Visual Basic 6 Certification Exams--will those still count?
   Historically, Microsoft has taken their time in retiring previous VB version exams. For instance, it was only last February (about 3 years after the release of VB6) that the VB5 exam was retired, and Microsoft retained any Certifications based on that exam until February 28, 2002.
   The bottom line is that I would think that any Certifications, based on any VB6 exams, will remain valid for quite some time.
8. Can you use VB.Net and Visual Basic 6 on the same computer?
   According to the Microsoft VB.Net FAQ page, you can (although you couldn't do this with the Beta). Check this link for more information.