VB.

NET and C# Comparison

http://www.harding.edu/fmccown/vbnet_csharp_comparison.html

VB.NET and C# Comparison

This is a quick reference guide to highlight some key syntactical differences between VB.NET and C#. Hope you find this useful!
Thank you to Tom Shelton, Fergus Cooney, Steven Swafford, Gjuro Kladaric, and others for your contributions.
Also see Java and C# Comparison.

Program Structure
Comments
Data Types
Constants
Enumerations
Operators
Choices

Loops
Arrays
Functions
Strings
Regular Expressions
Exception Handling
Namespaces

VB.N ET

Classes & Interfaces

Constructors & Destructors
Using Objects
Structs
Properties
Generics

Delegates & Lambda Expressions

New!
Events
LINQ
Attributes New!
Console I/O
File I/O

Program Structure

Imports System

using System;

Namespace Hello
Class HelloWorld
Overloads Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
Dim name As String = "VB.NET"

namespace Hello {
public class HelloWorld {
public static void Main(string[] args) {
string name = "C#";

'See if an argument was passed from the command line

If args.Length = 1 Then name = args(0)

C#

// See if an argument was passed from the command line

if (args.Length == 1)
name = args[0];

Console.WriteLine("Hello, " & name & "!")

End Sub
End Class
End Namespace

Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + name + "!");

}
}
}

VB.N ET

' Single line only

REM Single line only
''' <summary>XML comments</summary>

VB.N ET

Value Types
Boolean
Byte, SByte
Char
Short, UShort, Integer, UInteger, Long, ULong
Single, Double
Decimal
Date (alias of System.DateTime)
structures

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Comments

C#

// Single line
/* Multiple
line */
/// <summary>XML comments on single line</summary>
/** <summary>XML comments on multiple lines</summary> */

Data Types

C#

Value Types
bool
byte, sbyte
char
short, ushort, int, uint, long, ulong
float, double
decimal
DateTime (not a built-in C# type)
structs

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enumerations

enumerations

Reference Types
Object
String
arrays
delegates

Reference Types
object
string
arrays
delegates

Initializing
Dim correct As Boolean = True
Dim b As Byte = &H2A 'hex or &O52 for octal
Dim person As Object = Nothing
Dim name As String = "Dwight"
Dim grade As Char = "B"c
Dim today As Date = #12/31/2010 12:15:00 PM#
Dim amount As Decimal = 35.99@
Dim gpa As Single = 2.9!
Dim pi As Double = 3.14159265
Dim lTotal As Long = 123456L
Dim sTotal As Short = 123S
Dim usTotal As UShort = 123US
Dim uiTotal As UInteger = 123UI
Dim ulTotal As ULong = 123UL

Initializing
bool correct = true;
byte b = 0x2A; // hex
object person = null;
string name = "Dwight";
char grade = 'B';
DateTime today = DateTime.Parse("12/31/2010 12:15:00 PM");
decimal amount = 35.99m;
float gpa = 2.9f;
double pi = 3.14159265; // or 3.14159265D
long lTotal = 123456L;
short sTotal = 123;
ushort usTotal = 123;
uint uiTotal = 123; // or 123U
ulong ulTotal = 123; // or 123UL

Nullable Types
Dim x? As Integer = Nothing

Nullable Types
int? x = null;

Anonymous Types
Dim stu = New With {.Name = "Sue", .Gpa = 3.4}
Dim stu2 = New With {Key .Name = "Bob", .Gpa = 2.9}

Anonymous Types
var stu = new {Name = "Sue", Gpa = 3.5};
var stu2 = new {Name = "Bob", Gpa = 2.9}; // no Key equivalent

Implicitly Typed Local Variables

Dim s = "Hello!"
Dim nums = New Integer() {1, 2, 3}
Dim hero = New SuperHero With {.Name = "Batman"}

Implicitly Typed Local Variables

var s = "Hello!";
var nums = new int[] { 1, 2, 3 };
var hero = new SuperHero() { Name = "Batman" };

Type Information
Dim x As Integer
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType())
' Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(GetType(Integer)) ' Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(TypeName(x))
' Prints Integer

Type Information
int x;
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType());
// Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(typeof(int));
// Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType().Name); // prints Int32

Dim c as New Circle

isShape = TypeOf c Is Shape

Circle c = new Circle();

isShape = c is Shape; // true if c is a Shape

' True if c is a Shape

isSame = o1 Is o2 // True if o1 and o2 reference same object

isSame = Object.ReferenceEquals(o1, o2)

same object

Type Conversion / Casting

Dim d As Single = 3.5
Dim i As Integer = CType(d, Integer) ' set to 4 (Banker's rounding)
i = CInt(d) ' same result as CType
i = Int(d) ' set to 3 (Int function truncates the decimal)
Dim s As New Shape
Dim c As Circle = TryCast(s, Circle) ' Returns Nothing if type cast fails
c = DirectCast(s, Circle) ' Throws InvalidCastException if type cast fails

VB.N ET

Type Conversion / Casting

float d = 3.5f;
i = Convert.ToInt32(d);
// Set to 4 (rounds)
int i = (int)d;
// set to 3 (truncates decimal)

Shape s = new Shape();

Circle c = s as Circle; // Returns null if type cast fails
c = (Circle)s; // Throws InvalidCastException if type cast fails

Constants

C#

Const MAX_STUDENTS As Integer = 25

const int MAX_STUDENTS = 25;

' Can set to a const or var; may be initialized in a constructor

ReadOnly MIN_DIAMETER As Single = 4.93

// Can set to a const or var; may be initialized in a constructor

readonly float MIN_DIAMETER = 4.93f;

VB.N ET

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// true if o1 and o2 reference

Enumerations

C#

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Enum Action
Start
[Stop] ' Stop is a reserved word
Rewind
Forward
End Enum

enum Action {Start, Stop, Rewind, Forward};

enum Status {Flunk = 50, Pass = 70, Excel = 90};

Enum Status
Flunk = 50
Pass = 70
Excel = 90
End Enum

Console.WriteLine((int) Status.Pass); // Prints 70

Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass);
// Prints Pass

Dim a As Action = Action.Stop

If a <> Action.Start Then _
Console.WriteLine(a.ToString & " is " & a)

Action a = Action.Stop;
if (a != Action.Start)
Console.WriteLine(a + " is " + (int) a);

// Prints "Stop is 1"

' Prints "Stop is 1"

Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass)
' Prints 70
Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass.ToString())
' Prints Pass

Operators

VB.N ET

Comparison
= < > <= >= <>

Comparison
== < > <= >= !=

Arithmetic
+ - * /
Mod
\ (integer division)
^ (raise to a power)

Arithmetic
+ - * /
% (mod)
/ (integer division if both operands are ints)
Math.Pow(x, y)

Assignment
= += -= *= /= \= ^= <<= >>= &=

Assignment
= += -= *= /= %= &= |= ^= <<= >>= ++ --

Bitwise
And Or Xor Not

Bitwise
& | ^

<<

>>

<<

>>

Logical
AndAlso OrElse And Or Xor Not

Logical
&& || & | ^ !

Note: AndAlso and OrElse perform short-circuit logical evaluations

Note: && and || perform short-circuit logical evaluations

String Concatenation
&

String Concatenation
+

VB.N ET

Choices

' Null-coalescing operator if called with 2 arguments

x = If(y, 5) ' if y is not Nothing then x = y, else x = 5

// Null-coalescing operator
x = y ?? 5; // if y != null then x = y, else x = 5

' Ternary/Conditional operator (IIf evaluates 2nd and 3rd expressions)

greeting = If(age < 20, "What's up?", "Hello")

// Ternary/Conditional operator
greeting = age < 20 ? "What's up?" : "Hello";

' One line doesn't require "End If"

If age < 20 Then greeting = "What's up?"
If age < 20 Then greeting = "What's up?" Else greeting = "Hello"

if (age < 20)

greeting = "What's up?";
else
greeting = "Hello";

' Use : to put two commands on same line

If x <> 100 AndAlso y < 5 Then x *= 5 : y *= 2
' Preferred
If x <> 100 AndAlso y < 5 Then
x *= 5
y *= 2
End If

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C#

C#

// Multiple statements must be enclosed in {}

if (x != 100 && y < 5) {
x *= 5;
y *= 2;
}

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' Use _ to break up long single line or use implicit line break
If whenYouHaveAReally < longLine And
itNeedsToBeBrokenInto2 > Lines Then _
UseTheUnderscore(charToBreakItUp)
'If x > 5 Then
x *= y
ElseIf x = 5 OrElse y Mod 2 = 0 Then
x += y
ElseIf x < 10 Then
x -= y
Else
x /= y
End If
Select Case color ' Must be a primitive data type
Case "pink", "red"
r += 1
Case "blue"
b += 1
Case "green"
g += 1
Case Else
other += 1
End Select

No need for _ or : since ; is used to terminate each statement.

if (x > 5)
x *= y;
else if (x == 5 || y % 2 == 0)
x += y;
else if (x < 10)
x -= y;
else
x /= y;

// Every case must end with break or goto case

switch (color) {
// Must be integer or string
case "pink":
case "red": r++; break;
case "blue": b++; break;
case "green": g++; break;
default: other++; break;
// break necessary on default
}

Loops

VB.N ET

Pre-test Loops:

C#

Pre-test Loops:

While c < 10
c += 1
End While

Do Until c = 10
c += 1
Loop

Do While c < 10
c += 1
Loop

For c = 2 To 10 Step 2
Console.WriteLine(c)
Next

// no "until" keyword
while (c < 10)
c++;

for (c = 2; c <= 10; c += 2)

Console.WriteLine(c);

Post-test Loop:
Post-test Loops:
Do
c += 1
Loop While c < 10

do
c++;
while (c < 10);

' Array or collection looping

Dim names As String() = {"Fred", "Sue", "Barney"}
For Each s As String In names
Console.WriteLine(s)
Next

// Array or collection looping

string[] names = {"Fred", "Sue", "Barney"};
foreach (string s in names)
Console.WriteLine(s);

' Breaking out of loops

Dim i As Integer = 0
While (True)
If (i = 5) Then Exit While
i += 1
End While

// Breaking out of loops

int i = 0;
while (true) {
if (i == 5)
break;
i++;
}

' Continue to next iteration

For i = 0 To 4
If i < 4 Then Continue For
Console.WriteLine(i) ' Only prints 4
Next

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Do
c += 1
Loop Until c = 10

// Continue to next iteration

for (i = 0; i <= 4; i++) {
if (i < 4)
continue;
Console.WriteLine(i); // Only prints 4
}

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Arrays

VB.N ET

C#

Dim nums() As Integer = {1, 2, 3}

For i As Integer = 0 To nums.Length - 1
Console.WriteLine(nums(i))
Next

int[] nums = {1, 2, 3};

for (int i = 0; i < nums.Length; i++)
Console.WriteLine(nums[i]);

' 4 is the index of the last element, so it holds 5 elements

Dim names(4) As String
names(0) = "David"
names(5) = "Bobby" ' Throws System.IndexOutOfRangeException

// 5 is the size of the array

string[] names = new string[5];
names[0] = "David";
names[5] = "Bobby"; // Throws System.IndexOutOfRangeException

' Resize the array, keeping the existing values (Preserve is optional)
ReDim Preserve names(6)

// Add two elements, keeping the existing values

Array.Resize(ref names, 7);

Dim twoD(rows-1, cols-1) As Single

twoD(2, 0) = 4.5

float[,] twoD = new float[rows, cols];

twoD[2,0] = 4.5f;

Dim jagged()() As Integer = { _

New Integer(4) {}, New Integer(1) {}, New Integer(2) {} }
jagged(0)(4) = 5

int[][] jagged = new int[3][] {

new int[5], new int[2], new int[3] };
jagged[0][4] = 5;

Functions

VB.N ET

C#

' Pass by value (in, default), reference (in/out), and reference (out)
// Pass by value (in, default), reference (in/out), and reference (out)
Sub TestFunc(ByVal x As Integer, ByRef y As Integer, ByRef z As Integer) void TestFunc(int x, ref int y, out int z) {
x++;
x += 1
y += 1
y++;
z=5
z = 5;
End Sub
}
Dim a = 1, b = 1, c As Integer ' c set to zero by default
TestFunc(a, b, c)
Console.WriteLine("{0} {1} {2}", a, b, c) ' 1 2 5

int a = 1, b = 1, c; // c doesn't need initializing

TestFunc(a, ref b, out c);
Console.WriteLine("{0} {1} {2}", a, b, c); // 1 2 5

' Accept variable number of arguments

Function Sum(ByVal ParamArray nums As Integer()) As Integer
Sum = 0
For Each i As Integer In nums
Sum += i
Next
End Function ' Or use Return statement like C#

// Accept variable number of arguments

int Sum(params int[] nums) {
int sum = 0;
foreach (int i in nums)
sum += i;
return sum;
}

Dim total As Integer = Sum(4, 3, 2, 1)

int total = Sum(4, 3, 2, 1); // returns 10

' returns 10

' Optional parameters must be listed last and must have a default value
Sub SayHello(ByVal name As String, Optional ByVal prefix As String = "")
Console.WriteLine("Greetings, " & prefix & " " & name)
End Sub
SayHello("Strangelove", "Dr.")
SayHello("Mom")

VB.N ET

Special character constants (all also accessible from ControlChars class)

vbCrLf, vbCr, vbLf, vbNewLine
vbNullString
vbTab
vbBack
vbFormFeed

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/* C# 4.0 supports optional parameters. Previous versions required function

overloading. */
void SayHello(string name, string prefix = "") {
Console.WriteLine("Greetings, " + prefix + " " + name);
}
SayHello("Strangelove", "Dr.");
SayHello("Mom");

Strings

C#

Escape sequences
\r // carriage-return
\n // line-feed
\t // tab
\\ // backslash
\" // quote

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vbVerticalTab
""

' String concatenation (use & or +)

Dim school As String = "Harding" & vbTab
school = school & "University" ' school is "Harding (tab) University"
school &= "University" ' Same thing (+= does the same)

// String concatenation
string school = "Harding\t";
school = school + "University"; // school is "Harding (tab) University"
school += "University"; // Same thing

' Chars
Dim letter As Char = school.Chars(0) ' letter is H
letter = "Z"c
' letter is Z
letter = Convert.ToChar(65)
' letter is A
letter = Chr(65)
' same thing
Dim word() As Char = school.ToCharArray() ' word holds Harding

// Chars
char letter = school[0];
// letter is H
letter = 'Z';
// letter is Z
letter = Convert.ToChar(65);
// letter is A
letter = (char)65;
// same thing
char[] word = school.ToCharArray(); // word holds Harding

' No string literal operator

Dim filename As String = "c:\temp\x.dat"

// String literal
string filename = @"c:\temp\x.dat"; // Same as "c:\\temp\\x.dat"

' String comparison

Dim mascot As String = "Bisons"
If (mascot = "Bisons") Then ' true
If (mascot.Equals("Bisons")) Then ' true
If (mascot.ToUpper().Equals("BISONS")) Then ' true
If (mascot.CompareTo("Bisons") = 0) Then ' true

// String comparison
string mascot = "Bisons";
if (mascot == "Bisons") // true
if (mascot.Equals("Bisons")) // true
if (mascot.ToUpper().Equals("BISONS")) // true
if (mascot.CompareTo("Bisons") == 0) // true

' String matching with Like - Regex is more powerful

If ("John 3:16" Like "Jo[Hh]? #:*") Then 'true

// String matching - No Like equivalent, use Regex

' Substring
s = mascot.Substring(2, 3)) ' s is "son"

// Substring
s = mascot.Substring(2, 3))

' Replacement
s = mascot.Replace("sons", "nomial")) ' s is "Binomial"

// Replacement
s = mascot.Replace("sons", "nomial"))

' Split
Dim names As String = "Michael,Dwight,Jim,Pam"
Dim parts() As String = names.Split(",".ToCharArray())
slot

' x is -5

' Mutable string

Dim buffer As New System.Text.StringBuilder("two ")
buffer.Append("three ")
buffer.Insert(0, "one ")
buffer.Replace("two", "TWO")
Console.WriteLine(buffer)
' Prints "one TWO three"

VB.N ET

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// Date to string
DateTime dt = new DateTime(1973, 10, 12);
string s = dt.ToString("MMM dd, yyyy");
// Oct 12, 1973
// int to string
int x = 2;
string y = x.ToString();

// y is "2"

// string to int
int x = Convert.ToInt32("-5");

' y is "2"

' String to Integer

Dim x As Integer = Convert.ToInt32("-5")

// s is "Binomial"

// Split
string names = "Michael,Dwight,Jim,Pam";
' One name in each string[] parts = names.Split(",".ToCharArray()); // One name in each slot

' Date to string

Dim dt As New DateTime(1973, 10, 12)
Dim s As String = "My birthday: " & dt.ToString("MMM dd, yyyy") ' Oct 12,
1973
' Integer to String
Dim x As Integer = 2
Dim y As String = x.ToString()

// s is "son"

// x is -5

// Mutable string
System.Text.StringBuilder buffer = new System.Text.StringBuilder("two
");
buffer.Append("three ");
buffer.Insert(0, "one ");
buffer.Replace("two", "TWO");
Console.WriteLine(buffer);
// Prints "one TWO three"

Regular Expressions

C#

Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions

using System.Text.RegularExpressions;

' Match a string pattern

Dim r As New Regex("j[aeiou]h?. \d:*", RegexOptions.IgnoreCase Or _
RegexOptions.Compiled)
If (r.Match("John 3:16").Success) Then 'true
Console.WriteLine("Match")
End If

// Match a string pattern

Regex r = new Regex(@"j[aeiou]h?. \d:*", RegexOptions.IgnoreCase |
RegexOptions.Compiled);
if (r.Match("John 3:16").Success) // true
Console.WriteLine("Match");

' Find and remember all matching patterns

// Find and remember all matching patterns

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Dim s As String = "My number is 305-1881, not 305-1818."

Dim r As New Regex("(\d+-\d+)")
Dim m As Match = r.Match(s)
' Matches 305-1881 and 305-1818
While m.Success
Console.WriteLine("Found number: " & m.Groups(1).Value & " at position " _
& m.Groups(1).Index.ToString)
m = m.NextMatch()
End While

string s = "My number is 305-1881, not 305-1818.";

Regex r = new Regex("(\\d+-\\d+)");
// Matches 305-1881 and 305-1818
for (Match m = r.Match(s); m.Success; m = m.NextMatch())
Console.WriteLine("Found number: " + m.Groups[1] + " at position " +
m.Groups[1].Index);

' Remeber multiple parts of matched pattern

Dim r As New Regex("(\d\d):(\d\d) (am|pm)")
Dim m As Match = r.Match("We left at 03:15 pm.")
If m.Success Then
Console.WriteLine("Hour: " & m.Groups(1).ToString)
Console.WriteLine("Min: " & m.Groups(2).ToString)
Console.WriteLine("Ending: " & m.Groups(3).ToString)
End If

// Remeber multiple parts of matched pattern

Regex r = new Regex("@(\d\d):(\d\d) (am|pm)");
Match m = r.Match("We left at 03:15 pm.");
if (m.Success) {
Console.WriteLine("Hour: " + m.Groups[1]);
// 03
Console.WriteLine("Min: " + m.Groups[2]);
// 15
Console.WriteLine("Ending: " + m.Groups[3]); // pm
}

' 03
' 15
' pm

' Replace all occurrances of a pattern

Dim r As New Regex("h\w+?d", RegexOptions.IgnoreCase)
Dim s As String = r.Replace("I heard this was HARD!", "easy") ' I easy this
was easy!

// Replace all occurrances of a pattern

Regex r = new Regex("h\\w+?d", RegexOptions.IgnoreCase);
string s = r.Replace("I heard this was HARD!", "easy")); // I easy this was
easy!

' Replace matched patterns

// Replace matched patterns
Dim s As String = Regex.Replace("123 < 456", "(\d+) . (\d+)", "$2 > $1") ' string s = Regex.Replace("123 < 456", @"(\d+) . (\d+)", "$2 > $1"); //
456 > 123
456 > 123
' Split a string based on a pattern
Dim names As String = "Michael, Dwight, Jim, Pam"
Dim r As New Regex(",\s*")
Dim parts() As String = r.Split(names) ' One name in each slot

VB.N ET

Exception Handling

C#

' Throw an exception

Dim ex As New Exception("Something is really wrong.")
Throw ex

// Throw an exception
Exception up = new Exception("Something is really wrong.");
throw up; // ha ha

' Catch an exception

Try
y=0
x = 10 / y
Catch ex As Exception When y = 0 ' Argument and When is optional
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message)
Finally
Beep()
End Try

// Catch an exception
try {
y = 0;
x = 10 / y;
}
catch (Exception ex) { // Argument is optional, no "When" keyword
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
finally {
Microsoft.VisualBasic.Interaction.Beep();
}

' Deprecated unstructured error handling

On Error GoTo MyErrorHandler
...
MyErrorHandler: Console.WriteLine(Err.Description)

VB.N ET

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// Split a string based on a pattern

string names = "Michael, Dwight, Jim, Pam";
Regex r = new Regex(@",\s*");
string[] parts = r.Split(names); // One name in each slot

Namespaces

Namespace Harding.Compsci.Graphics
...
End Namespace

namespace Harding.Compsci.Graphics {
...
}

' or

// or

Namespace Harding
Namespace Compsci
Namespace Graphics
...
End Namespace

namespace Harding {
namespace Compsci {
namespace Graphics {
...
}

C#

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End Namespace
End Namespace

Imports Harding.Compsci.Graphics

using Harding.Compsci.Graphics;

Classes & Interfaces

VB.N ET

Access Modifiers
Public
Private
Friend
Protected
Protected Friend

Access Modifiers
public
private
internal
protected
protected internal

Class Modifiers
MustInherit
NotInheritable

Class Modifiers
abstract
sealed
static

Method Modifiers
MustOverride
NotInheritable
Shared
Overridable

Method Modifiers
abstract
sealed
static
virtual

' All members are Shared

Module

No Module equivalent - just use static class

' Partial classes

Partial Class Competition
...
End Class

// Partial classes
partial class Competition {
...
}

' Inheritance
Class FootballGame
Inherits Competition
...
End Class

// Inheritance
class FootballGame : Competition {
...
}

' Interface definition

Interface IAlarmClock
Sub Ring()
Property TriggerDateTime() As DateTime
End Interface

// Interface definition
interface IAlarmClock {
void Ring();
DateTime CurrentDateTime { get; set; }
}

' Extending an interface

Interface IAlarmClock
Inherits IClock
...
End Interface

// Extending an interface
interface IAlarmClock : IClock {
...
}

' Interface implementation

Class WristWatch
Implements IAlarmClock, ITimer

// Interface implementation
class WristWatch : IAlarmClock, ITimer {
public void Ring() {
Console.WriteLine("Wake up!");
}

Public Sub Ring() Implements IAlarmClock.Ring

Console.WriteLine("Wake up!")
End Sub
Public Property TriggerDateTime As DateTime Implements
IAlarmClock.TriggerDateTime
...
End Class

VB.N ET

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C#

public DateTime TriggerDateTime { get; set; }

...
}

Constructors & Destructors

C#

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Class SuperHero
Inherits Person

class SuperHero : Person {

private int powerLevel;
private string name;

Private powerLevel As Integer

Private name As String

' Default constructor

Public Sub New()
powerLevel = 0
name = "Super Bison"
End Sub

// Default constructor
public SuperHero() {
powerLevel = 0;
name = "Super Bison";
}

Public Sub New(ByVal powerLevel As Integer)

Me.New("Super Bison") ' Call other constructor
Me.powerLevel = powerLevel
End Sub

public SuperHero(int powerLevel)

: this("Super Bison") { // Call other constructor
this.powerLevel = powerLevel;
}

Public Sub New(ByVal name As String)

MyBase.New(name) ' Call base classes' constructor
Me.name = name
End Sub

public SuperHero(string name)

: base(name) { // Call base classes' constructor
this.name = name;
}

Shared Sub New()

' Shared constructor invoked before 1st instance is created
End Sub

static SuperHero() {
// Static constructor invoked before 1st instance is created
}

Protected Overrides Sub Finalize()

' Destructor to free unmanaged resources
MyBase.Finalize()
End Sub
End Class

VB.N ET

~SuperHero() {
// Destructor implicitly creates a Finalize method
}
}

Using Objects

Dim hero As SuperHero = New SuperHero

' or
Dim hero As New SuperHero
With hero
.Name = "SpamMan"
.PowerLevel = 3
End With

SuperHero hero = new SuperHero();

// No "With" but can use object initializers

SuperHero hero = new SuperHero() { Name = "SpamMan", PowerLevel = 3 };

hero.Defend("Laura Jones")
hero.Rest()
' Calling Shared method
' or
SuperHero.Rest()

hero.Defend("Laura Jones");
SuperHero.Rest(); // Calling static method

Dim hero2 As SuperHero = hero ' Both reference the same object
hero2.Name = "WormWoman"
Console.WriteLine(hero.Name) ' Prints WormWoman

SuperHero hero2 = hero; // Both reference the same object

hero2.Name = "WormWoman";
Console.WriteLine(hero.Name); // Prints WormWoman

hero = Nothing

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C#

' Free the object

hero = null ; // Free the object

If hero Is Nothing Then _

hero = New SuperHero

if (hero == null)
hero = new SuperHero();

Dim obj As Object = New SuperHero

If TypeOf obj Is SuperHero Then _
Console.WriteLine("Is a SuperHero object.")

Object obj = new SuperHero();

if (obj is SuperHero)
Console.WriteLine("Is a SuperHero object.");

' Mark object for quick disposal

Using reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText("test.txt")
Dim line As String = reader.ReadLine()
While Not line Is Nothing
Console.WriteLine(line)
line = reader.ReadLine()
End While
End Using

// Mark object for quick disposal

using (StreamReader reader = File.OpenText("test.txt")) {
string line;
while ((line = reader.ReadLine()) != null)
Console.WriteLine(line);
}

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VB.N ET

http://www.harding.edu/fmccown/vbnet_csharp_comparison.html

Structs

Structure Student
Public name As String
Public gpa As Single

struct Student {
public string name;
public float gpa;

Public Sub New(ByVal name As String, ByVal gpa As Single)

Me.name = name
Me.gpa = gpa
End Sub
End Structure

Dim stu As Student = New Student("Bob", 3.5)

Dim stu2 As Student = stu

Student stu = new Student("Bob", 3.5f);

Student stu2 = stu;

stu2.name = "Sue"
Console.WriteLine(stu.name) ' Prints Bob
Console.WriteLine(stu2.name) ' Prints Sue

stu2.name = "Sue";
Console.WriteLine(stu.name); // Prints Bob
Console.WriteLine(stu2.name); // Prints Sue

VB.N ET

public Student(string name, float gpa) {

this.name = name;
this.gpa = gpa;
}

Properties

' Auto-implemented properties are new to VB10

Public Property Name As String
Public Property Size As Integer = -1
' Default value, Get and Set both
Public
' Traditional property implementation
Private mName As String
Public Property Name() As String
Get
Return mName
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
mName = value
End Set
End Property
' Read-only property
Private mPowerLevel As Integer
Public ReadOnly Property PowerLevel() As Integer
Get
Return mPowerLevel
End Get
End Property
' Write-only property
Private mHeight As Double
Public WriteOnly Property Height() As Double
Set(ByVal value As Double)
mHeight = If(value < 0, mHeight = 0, mHeight = value)
End Set
End Property

VB.N ET

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C#

// Auto-implemented properties
public string Name { get; set; }
public int Size { get; protected set; }

C#

// Set default value in constructor

// Traditional property implementation

private string name;
public string Name {
get {
return name;
}
set {
name = value;
}
}
// Read-only property
private int powerLevel;
public int PowerLevel {
get {
return powerLevel;
}
}
// Write-only property
private double height;
public double Height {
set {
height = value < 0 ? 0 : value;
}
}

Generics

' Enforce accepted data type at compile-time

Dim numbers As New List(Of Integer)
numbers.Add(2)
numbers.Add(4)
DisplayList(Of Integer)(numbers)

// Enforce accepted data type at compile-time

List<int> numbers = new List<int>();
numbers.Add(2);
numbers.Add(4);
DisplayList<int>(numbers);

' Subroutine can display any type of List

// Function can display any type of List

C#

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Sub DisplayList(Of T)(ByVal list As List(Of T))

For Each item As T In list
Console.WriteLine(item)
Next
End Sub

void DisplayList<T>(List<T> list) {

foreach (T item in list)
Console.WriteLine(item);
}

' Class works on any data type

Class SillyList(Of T)
Private list(10) As T
Private rand As New Random

// Class works on any data type

class SillyList<T> {
private T[] list = new T[10];
private Random rand = new Random();

Public Sub Add(ByVal item As T)

list(rand.Next(10)) = item
End Sub

public void Add(T item) {

list[rand.Next(10)] = item;
}

Public Function GetItem() As T

Return list(rand.Next(10))
End Function
End Class

public T GetItem() {
return list[rand.Next(10)];
}
}

' Limit T to only types that implement IComparable

Function Maximum(Of T As IComparable)(ByVal ParamArray items As T())
As T
Dim max As T = items(0)
For Each item As T In items
If item.CompareTo(max) > 0 Then max = item
Next
Return max
End Function

VB.N ET

// Limit T to only types that implement IComparable

T Maximum<T>(params T[] items) where T : IComparable<T> {
T max = items[0];
foreach (T item in items)
if (item.CompareTo(max) > 0)
max = item;
return max;
}

Delegates & Lambda Expressions

Delegate Sub HelloDelegate(ByVal s As String)

delegate void HelloDelegate(string s);

Sub SayHello(ByVal s As String)

Console.WriteLine("Hello, " & s)
End Sub

void SayHello(string s) {
Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + s);
}

' Create delegate that calls SayHello

Dim hello As HelloDelegate = AddressOf SayHello
hello("World") ' Or hello.Invoke("World")

// C# 1.0 delegate syntax with named method

HelloDelegate hello = new HelloDelegate(SayHello);
hello("World"); // Or hello.Invoke("World");

' Use lambda expression (anonymous method) instead of a delegate

Dim hello2 = Sub(x) Console.WriteLine("Hello, " & x)
hello2("World")

// C# 2.0 delegate syntax with anonymous method

HelloDelegate hello2 = delegate(string s) {
Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + s);
};
hello2("World");

C#

// C# 3.0 delegate syntax with lambda expression

HelloDelegate hello3 = s => { Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + s); };
hello3("World");

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' Use Func(Of T, TResult) delegate to call Uppercase

Dim convert As Func(Of String, String) = AddressOf Uppercase
Console.WriteLine(convert("test"))

// Use Func<in T, out TResult> delegate to call Uppercase

Func<string, string> convert = Uppercase;
Console.WriteLine(convert("test"));

Function Uppercase(s As String) As String

Return s.ToUpper()
End Function

string Uppercase(string s) {
return s.ToUpper();
}

' Declare and invoke lambda expression

Console.WriteLine((Function(num As Integer) num + 1)(2))

// Declare and invoke Func using a lambda expression

Console.WriteLine(new Func<int, int>(num => num + 1)(2));

' Pass lambda expression as an argument

TestValues(Function(x, y) x Mod y = 0)

// Pass lamba expression as an argument

TestValues((x, y) => x % y == 0);

Sub TestValues(ByVal f As Func(Of Integer, Integer, Boolean))

If f(8, 4) Then
Console.WriteLine("true")
Else

void TestValues(Func<int, int, bool> f) {

if (f(8, 4))
Console.WriteLine("true");
else

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Console.WriteLine("false")
End If
End Sub

VB.N ET

Console.WriteLine("false");
}

Events

Delegate Sub MsgArrivedEventHandler(ByVal message As String)

delegate void MsgArrivedEventHandler(string message);

Event MsgArrivedEvent As MsgArrivedEventHandler

event MsgArrivedEventHandler MsgArrivedEvent;

' or to define an event which declares a delegate implicitly

Event MsgArrivedEvent(ByVal message As String)

// Delegates must be used with events in C#

AddHandler MsgArrivedEvent, AddressOf My_MsgArrivedCallback

' Won't throw an exception if obj is Nothing
RaiseEvent MsgArrivedEvent("Test message")
RemoveHandler MsgArrivedEvent, AddressOf My_MsgArrivedCallback

MsgArrivedEvent += new
MsgArrivedEventHandler(My_MsgArrivedEventCallback);
MsgArrivedEvent("Test message"); // Throws exception if obj is null
MsgArrivedEvent -= new
MsgArrivedEventHandler(My_MsgArrivedEventCallback);

Imports System.Windows.Forms
Dim WithEvents MyButton As Button ' WithEvents can't be used on local
variable
MyButton = New Button
Sub MyButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyButton.Click
MessageBox.Show(Me, "Button was clicked", "Info", _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
End Sub

VB.N ET

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C#

using System.Windows.Forms;
Button MyButton = new Button();
MyButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(MyButton_Click);
void MyButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e) {
MessageBox.Show(this, "Button was clicked", "Info",
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information);
}

LINQ

Dim nums() As Integer = {5, 8, 2, 1, 6}

int[] nums = { 5, 8, 2, 1, 6 };

' Get all numbers in the array above 4

Dim results = From n In nums
Where n > 4
Select n

// Get all numbers in the array above 4

var results = from n in nums
where n > 4
select n;

' Same thing using lamba expression

results = nums.Where(Function(n) n > 4)

// Same thing using lamba expression

results = nums.Where(n => n > 4);

' Displays 5 8 6
For Each n As Integer In results
Console.Write(n & " ")
Next

// Displays 5 8 6
foreach (int n in results)
Console.Write(n + " ");

Console.WriteLine(results.Count())
'3
Console.WriteLine(results.First())
'5
Console.WriteLine(results.Last())
'6
Console.WriteLine(results.Average())
' 6.33333

Console.WriteLine(results.Count());
// 3
Console.WriteLine(results.First());
// 5
Console.WriteLine(results.Last());
// 6
Console.WriteLine(results.Average());
// 6.33333

results = results.Intersect({5, 6, 7})

'56
results = results.Concat({5, 1, 5})
'56515
results = results.Distinct()
'561

results = results.Intersect(new[] {5, 6, 7});

// 5 6
results = results.Concat(new[] {5, 1, 5});
// 5 6 5 1 5
results = results.Distinct();
// 5 6 1

Dim Students() As Student = {

New Student With {.Name = "Bob", .Gpa = 3.5},
New Student With {.Name = "Sue", .Gpa = 4.0},
New Student With {.Name = "Joe", .Gpa = 1.9}
}

Student[] Students = {
new Student{ Name = "Bob", Gpa = 3.5 },
new Student{ Name = "Sue", Gpa = 4.0 },
new Student{ Name = "Joe", Gpa = 1.9 }
};

' Get a list of students ordered by Gpa with Gpa >= 3.0
Dim goodStudents = From s In Students

// Get a list of students ordered by Gpa with Gpa >= 3.0

var goodStudents = from s in Students

C#

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Where s.Gpa >= 3.0

Order By s.Gpa Descending
Select s
Console.WriteLine(goodStudents.First.Name)

where s.Gpa >= 3.0

orderby s.Gpa descending
select s;

' Sue

VB.N ET

Console.WriteLine(goodStudents.First().Name);

Attributes

C#

' Attribute can be applied to anything

Public Class IsTestedAttribute
Inherits Attribute
End Class

// Attribute can be applied to anything

public class IsTestedAttribute : Attribute
{
}

' Attribute can only be applied to classes or structs

<AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Class Or AttributeTargets.Struct)>
Public Class AuthorAttribute
Inherits Attribute

// Attribute can only be applied to classes or structs

[AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Class | AttributeTargets.Struct)]
public class AuthorAttribute : Attribute {
public string Name { get; set; }
public int Version { get; set; }

Public Property Name As String

Public Property Version As Integer = 0

public AuthorAttribute(string name) {

Name = name;
Version = 0;
}

Public Sub New(ByVal name As String)

Me.Name = name
End Sub
End Class

<Author("Sue", Version:=3)>
Class Shape

[Author("Sue", Version = 3)]

class Shape {

<IsTested()>
Sub Move()
' Do something...
End Sub
End Class

VB.N ET

[IsTested]
void Move() {
// Do something...
}
}

Console I/O

Console.Write("What's your name? ")

Dim name As String = Console.ReadLine()
Console.Write("How old are you? ")
Dim age As Integer = Val(Console.ReadLine())
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} years old.", name, age)
' or
Console.WriteLine(name & " is " & age & " years old.")

Console.Write("What's your name? ");

string name = Console.ReadLine();
Console.Write("How old are you? ");
int age = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} years old.", name, age);
// or
Console.WriteLine(name + " is " + age + " years old.");

Dim c As Integer
c = Console.Read()
Console.WriteLine(c)

int c = Console.Read(); // Read single char

Console.WriteLine(c); // Prints 65 if user enters "A"

' Read single char

' Prints 65 if user enters "A"

VB.N ET

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// Sue

File I/O

Imports System.IO

using System.IO;

' Write out to text file

Dim writer As StreamWriter = File.CreateText("c:\myfile.txt")
writer.WriteLine("Out to file.")
writer.Close()

// Write out to text file

StreamWriter writer = File.CreateText("c:\\myfile.txt");
writer.WriteLine("Out to file.");
writer.Close();

' Read all lines from text file

Dim reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText("c:\myfile.txt")

// Read all lines from text file

StreamReader reader = File.OpenText("c:\\myfile.txt");

C#

C#

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Dim line As String = reader.ReadLine()

While Not line Is Nothing
Console.WriteLine(line)
line = reader.ReadLine()
End While
reader.Close()

string line = reader.ReadLine();

while (line != null) {
Console.WriteLine(line);
line = reader.ReadLine();
}
reader.Close();

' Write out to binary file

Dim str As String = "Text data"
Dim num As Integer = 123
Dim binWriter As New BinaryWriter(File.OpenWrite("c:\myfile.dat"))
binWriter.Write(str)
binWriter.Write(num)
binWriter.Close()

// Write out to binary file

string str = "Text data";
int num = 123;
BinaryWriter binWriter = new BinaryWriter(File.OpenWrite("c:\\myfile.dat"));
binWriter.Write(str);
binWriter.Write(num);
binWriter.Close();

' Read from binary file

Dim binReader As New BinaryReader(File.OpenRead("c:\myfile.dat"))
str = binReader.ReadString()
num = binReader.ReadInt32()
binReader.Close()

// Read from binary file

BinaryReader binReader = new
BinaryReader(File.OpenRead("c:\\myfile.dat"));
str = binReader.ReadString();
num = binReader.ReadInt32();
binReader.Close();

Last modified: July 9, 2012

Produced by Dr. Frank McCown, Harding University Computer Science Dept
Please send any corrections or comments to [email protected].

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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