Desktop Developer


DeskSimplify Programmatic File Access

Access files in different locations using the same code, whether the files reside on a file server, a Web server, or an FTP server.

Enhance VSTS Development

Check out these tips to help simplify and enhance your development with Visual Studio Team System and Team Foundation Server.

Manage the Business Object Lifecycle

Using business objects effectively requires understanding the nuances of their life cycles.

Loop Your Way to Tighter Code

Take advantage of Loops in Visual Basic .NET to save coding effort, as well as to create more readable and maintainable code.

Build Better Collections With Generics

Take advantage of .NET 2.0's addition of generics to provide better collections functionality in your applications.

Exploit Collections in VB

Take advantage of collections to both simplify and enhance your VB business applications.

Write Unit Tests With VSTS

VSTS introduces data-driven unit testing; learn how this feature works and how you can take advantage of this with data-driven unit testing in your applications.

Write a Better Windows Service

Writing a Windows service is significantly more involved than many authors would have you believe. Here are the tools you need to create a Windows service robust enough for the real world.

Build Serviced Components the Right Way

Take advantage of these practical guidelines for implementing serviced components properly and reduce coding and maintenance headaches now?and in the future.

Convert Between VB.NET and C#

Conversion between VB.NET and C# involves much more than adding or removing semi-colons and curly braces. Learn about differences between the two languages and how to simulate unique features of one language in the other.

Create a .NET Agent

Save time by creating an extensible framework for a .NET agent. The framework offers a dynamically configurable job scheduler and notification service.

Register and Manipulate Files in Whidbey

Take advantage of the new My.Computer functionality in Whidbey to implement a utility that manipulates the Registry to take care of bad e-mails.

Manage Stacks of Data

The .NET Framework includes a Stack class that implements a stack collection. Learn how stacks are used to manage multiple states of data within an app.

Master VS.NET's Dynamic Properties

Set up applications to configure at run time using the VS.NET Dynamic Properties functionality-and even add some tricks the .NET Framework doesn't support yet.

Build a Better UI

Use the OwnerDraw capabilities of the Microsoft Windows GDI+ to add gradient colors to controls and ListBox items, add rounded edges to controls, and manage the size and color of ListBox items.