VB.NET, by throwing the door wide open to inheriting and subclassing user interface objects such Windows forms and controls, has created both a new opportunity and new required technical knowledge for the professional programmer. The opportunity is very real, because the user Interface of a system may be more critical than any other part of it in deciding whether your code flies or dies. That's what your customers see first and last and for most of them, that is the system.

APress has created a reputation for publishing the best books on specialty topics like this and Matthew MacDonald is one of the most experienced and seasoned technology writers. Together, they have created a great book that will be exactly what experienced programmers are looking for. The "Expert's Voice" on the technology is combined with a detailed discussion of good user-interface design principles to give you the information you need about how to design elegant user interfaces users will love.

In addition, you'll learn how and why to extend the user interface with your own custom controls. VB.NET's object oriented revolution makes it a requirement now to create your own controls that are scalable, flexible, and reusable.

Applications: GDI+

About the Author

Matthew MacDonald is an educator, developer, and possibly most interesting as an author, he writes around. Rather than having an established relationship with just one publisher (many Wrox writers are regular 9 to 5 Wrox employees), MacDonald has published with a lot of the leading technology publishers. He's also passionate about his technology and you can gain a lot of insight about him by visiting his consulting company web page.