About Stephen Jackson Expertise I can help with questions regarding VB.NET syntax and object references, with data interfaces and with the design and creation of robust, data aware object classes. I can also be very helpful with creating distributable applications and provide tricks and tips on .msi creation. I also have extensive experience in designing SQL Server Databases and interfacing them with VB.NET. I try to avoid web specific questions, as that is an area of expertise all its own.
Experience
Experience in the Area: I have been a programmer in Visual Basic since version 1.0 and have worked with VB.NET (which is infinitely more powerful than previous versions) since its initial release and SQL Server, both as a corporate IT professional and professional consultant. I first wrote Basic in 1976 on a TRS 80 and have worked in Visual Basic 1.0 and every subsequent release of Microsoft Visual Basic. I worked for over 7 years as a Senior Level Consultant in the area and currently hold a Project Manager position in IT.
Education and Credentials: MBA in Econometrics, 1983, University of Memphis.
BBA in Financial Management, 1982, Fogelman College of Business and Economics, University of Memphis. Microsoft Certified Professional
Areas of Special Expertise:
My specialty is the design of Object Oriented Solutions with robust, data aware object classes. I generally avoid the classic ‘Three Tier’ model as I find it redundant and cumbersome to maintain. I also specialize in the creation of ‘User Friendly’ User Interfaces which help lessen the need for user training and help prevent user error. I work best with Windows Forms based applications, and while I do work in C# as well, I prefer to limit my questions here to Windows Forms based applications created in Visual Basic.NET and SQL Server. I wil also address questions relating to the distribution and installation of Windows Forms based applications created in VB.NET.
Expert: Stephen Jackson Date: 3/28/2008 Subject: Upgrade procedure from VB.NET 2003 to VB.NET 2008
Question Hello Stephen, please can u give me a hand in this task; I have a project ASP.NET created in VB.NET 2003 that is not performing well in VB.NET 2008. It needs to be upgraded. Do u have an idea about the upgrade procedure
Answer Carolina,
I am not sure how much help I can be, but I will take a show here. I have not yet worked on .NET 2008, since I use 2005. The current 3 projects I just finished upgrading were handled pretty well by the automatic upgrade built into the Developer's Studio. I did have to re-declare some of the references, especially ones involving Office Automation, since that has changed a good deal (let us hope you are not bound by such primitive requirements as am I!).
Just copy the old version code (SAVE AN OLD COPY) and open the Solution, and you should get the dialog box prompting if you wish to upgrade the code. Expect to see some odd things such as now improper carriage return characters and the like. Also expect to have to change some of your object declarations. Always start at the bottom of the error list and work your way up (I find this works much better for some odd reason when building in .NET).
I must disclose that my ASP.NET projects have all been C# and were originally created in .NET 2005, so I do not know what to expect from an ASP upgrade. You should expect a lot of warnings about obsolete code structure in your ASP and HTML but you may find it easier to set back your reference to the previous HTML standards.
I hope this helps a little ... good luck, Carolina, and please let me know if any specific issues arise ... I will do what I can to help!
