Join me in preparing for Microsoft VB.NET certification
August 8, 2007 at 9:38 pm 4 comments
I’m an old programmer, but relatively new to .NET. I have some experience with VB2005 programming and would like to get certified, so I’m studying for Microsoft exam 70-306, “Developing and Implementing Windows Based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic.NET and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET”. I’m using the book Developing Windows-Based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic.NET and Visual C#.NET by Matthew A. Stoecker, published by Microsoft Press in 2003.
I really don’t like to study alone, so I’m inviting you to join me. I’ll be posting my questions, answer, and discoveries as I complete each lesson and lab in this text and I’m hoping you will also post your observations, questions and answers in comments to the post for each lesson and lab.
8/9/07 Update: I won’t be studying for exam 70-306 after all. Read this post to see why: MCSD is Outdated. Become an MCPD Instead
8/16/07 Update: Join me in studying for the MCTS and MCPD. Start by reading here: Join me in studying for MCTS exam 70-536.
Here’s a list of the lessons and labs from the book’s table of contents:
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the .NET Framework
Lesson 1: The .NET Framework and the Common Language Runtime
Lesson 2: The .NET Base Class Library
Lesson 3: Using Classes and Structures
Lesson 4: Using Methods
Lesson 5: Scope and Access Levels
Lesson 6: Garbage Collection
Lab 1: Classes and Garbage Collection
CHAPTER 2 Creating the User Interface
Lesson 1: User Interface Design Principles
Lesson 2: Using Forms
Lesson 3: Using Controls and Components
Lesson 4: Using Menus
Lesson 5: Validating User Input
Lab 2: The Virtual Doughnut Factory
CHAPTER 3 Types and Members
Lesson 1: Using Data Types
Lesson 2: Using Constants, Enums, Arrays, and Collections
Lesson 3: Implementing Properties
Lesson 4: Implementing Delegates and Events
Lab 3-1: Adding Components and Implementing Members
Lab 3-2: Creating a Class
CHAPTER 4 Object-Oriented Programming and Polymorphism
Lesson 1: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming
Lesson 2: Overloading Members
Lesson 3: Interface Polymorphism
Lesson 4: Inheritance Polymorphism
Lab 4: Using Inherited Classes
CHAPTER 5 Testing and Debugging Your Application
Lesson 1: Using the Debugging Tools
Lesson 2: Using the Debug and Trace Classes
Lesson 3: Creating a Unit Test Plan
Lesson 4: Handling and Throwing Exceptions
Lab 5-1: Debugging an Application
Lab 5-2: Creating, Throwing, and Handling Exceptions
Lab 5-3: Implementing Tracing
CHAPTER 6 Data Access Using ADO.NET
Lesson 1: Overview of ADO.NET
Lesson 2: Overview of Structured Query Language
Lesson 3: Accessing Data
Lesson 4: Using DataSet Objects and Updating Data
Lesson 5: Binding, Viewing, and Filtering Data
Lesson 6: Using XML in ADO.NET
Lab 6-1: Connecting with a Database
Lab 6-2: Connecting with an XML Data Store
CHAPTER 7
Lesson 1: Using GDI+
Lesson 2: Authoring Controls
Lesson 3: Common Tasks Using Controls
Lab 7: Creating a Custom Control
CHAPTER 8 Advanced .NET Framework Topics
Lesson 1: Implementing Print Functionality
Lesson 2: Accessing and Invoking Components
Lesson 3: Implementing Accessibility
Lesson 4: Implementing Help in Your Application
Lesson 5: Globalization and Localization
Lab 8: Creating a Localized Form with Print Support
CHAPTER 9 Assemblies, Configuration, and Security
Lesson 1: Assemblies and Resources
Lesson 2: Configuring and Optimizing Your Application
Lesson 3: Securing Your Application
Lab 9: Configuring and Securing an Application
CHAPTER 10 Deploying Your Application
Lesson 1: Planning the Deployment of Your Project
Lesson 2: Configuring Your Setup Project
Lab 10: Creating an Installer Application
Additional Resources
From Microsoft:
From Bloggers:
Entry filed under: .NET, MCSD, Visual Basic.
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Bird's Bits 
1.
Shahid Javaid | July 11, 2008 at 6:56 am
Is it Free of cast ?
2.
Bahrom | July 11, 2008 at 2:04 pm
It is free of cost, but as you can see, I’ve been diverted from pursuing certification for a while.
3.
Mike Tyler | July 24, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hello!
The situation you describe sounds very very familiar to me. Im an old programmer as well (well, 41), who has also put off certification for years, and is now attempting to come back up to speed and get certified, while being sidetracked with an actual job (doing embedded systems – not even applications programming) and marriage, fatherhood, etc.
I am attempting to get my MCSD, even though it is being obsoleted. I have until March 2009 when they discontinue it. But once gained, it lasts forever – and I will go for MCTS and MCPD next year.
Im slogging through the same core reference self-paced training kit you describe. I found your blog by searching for references to the particular chapter I am on (Chapter 6, ADO.NET)
So.. if you do decide to start again, I’d like to keep up and maybe even share experiences, since Im in the same boat.
Currently Im struggling with why the “drag drop database connection” feature from Server Explorer is not working as advertised in chapter 6 lesson 3, in my installtion of visual studio 2008. Once I get past that, I can finish the darn chapter.
Im probably going to take the first test in Sept/Oct of this year.
I’ll bookmark this bog. In case you get undiverted.
-Mike
4.
Bahrom | July 24, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Hi Mike,
You really are in a similar situation! I will definitely let you know if I get undiverted.
In the meanting, maybe someone else will be able to answer your ado.net question.