Accessible writing style:  The authors employ a distinctive, student-friendly writing style that allows students to fully grasp important concepts.

Introduces principles of software engineering:  Although this is primarily an introductory Visual Basic .NET text, as opposed to a CS1 introduction to programming book, the text is meant to familiarize students with the fundamentals of software engineering, from both a procedural and object-oriented viewpoint.

Emphasis on real-world applications:  Focus Sections provide a detailed look at how an actual business system would be developed using rapid application development (RAD) techniques. A set of case studies that mirror the development of each Focus case is also provided. Tips from the Pros are shaded boxes that present useful technical points, programming tips, and programming tricks of a more practical nature that are known and used by professional programmers.

Rich pedagogical features:  Diverse skill builder and programming exercises are included at the end of each section and programming projects, self-tests, common programming errors, and chapter reviews appear at the end of each chapter.

Flexibility for instructors:  This text is meant to provide a flexible tool that each instructor can use in a variety of ways depending on the breadth of the course.

Program testing:  Every single Visual Basic .NET program in this text has been successfully entered and executed using Microsoft Visual Basic .NET. Programs may be accessed by clicking on the following link  StudentSupplements (1.3 MBytes)