Application Upgrade and Interoperability Using Visual Studio .NET

Module 1: Getting Started with Upgrading

This module briefly reviews the client/server and n-tier architectures for distributed applications and then analyzes the process of upgrading existing applications to the .NET platform. This module also provides an overview of some of the topics that will be covered in more detail throughout the rest of this course.

Lessons

- How .NET Affects Application Development
- Is Upgrading Necessary?
- Costs and Benefits of Upgrading

Lab 1.1: Assessing Applications for Upgrade to the .NET Platform

- Assessing the Fabrikam, Inc., Application
- Assessing the Northwind Traders Application

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Describe the recommended architecture for developing distributed applications.
- Select and justify an approach to upgrading an application.
- Identify the costs and benefits of upgrading an application to the .NET platform.
- Create a preliminary plan that identifies a strategy, tactics, and rationalization for upgrading an application to the .NET platform.

Module 2: Upgrading to Visual Basic .NET

This module guides you through the entire process-cycle of upgrading Visual Basic 6.0–based applications, including COM and COM+ components to Visual Basic .NET. It explains how to develop a plan for upgrading your applications; prepare an application for upgrade by updating features that cannot be automatically upgraded; upgrade the application by using the Upgrade Wizard provided by Visual Basic .NET and fix upgrade issues that the wizard identifies.

Lessons

- Planning the Upgrade
- Preparing for the Upgrade
- Using the Upgrade Wizard
- Upgrading COM+ Components

Lab 2.1: Upgrading a Visual Basic 6.0-based Application

- Preparing the Presentation Tier for Upgrade
- Upgrading the Presentation Tier
- Preparing the Business Tier for Upgrade
- Upgrading the Business Tier

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Develop a comprehensive plan for upgrading your application.
- Prepare a Visual Basic 6.0 application for upgrade.
- Use the Upgrade Wizard, review the results, and address issues.
- Upgrade Visual Basic 6.0-based applications and COM components to Visual Basic .NET.
- Upgrade Visual Basic 6.0-based COM+ components to Visual Basic .NET.

Module 3: Using COM Components in .NET Framework Applications

This module explains how to call existing COM components from .NET Framework applications by means of the COM interoperability service provided by the .NET Framework. The concepts, procedures, and guidelines for preparing COM components for interoperability and using them in .NET Framework applications are provided.

Lessons

- COM vs. .NET
- Preparing COM Components for Interoperability
- Deploying and Testing COM Components for Interoperability

Lab 3.1: Using COM Components in .NET Framework Applications

- Generating a Strong-Named Assembly
- Testing the COM Component

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Call COM components from .NET Framework applications.
- Identify performance, security, and threading issues related to using COM components for interoperability.
- Deploy and test COM components in the .NET environment.

Module 4: Using .NET Framework Components in COM Applications

This module explains how to call .NET Framework components from COM applications by means of the COM interoperability service provided by the .NET Framework. The concepts, procedures, and guidelines for preparing .NET Framework components for interoperability and using them in COM applications are provided.

Lessons

- Preparing .NET Framework Components for Interoperability
- Registering .NET Framework Components
- Debugging .NET Framework Components
- Deploying .NET Framework Components

Lab 4.1: Creating and Registering .NET Framework Components for Interoperability

- Creating a .NET Framework Component
- Registering a .NET Framework Component

Lab 4.2: Deploying and Testing .NET Framework Components

- Deploying a .NET Framework Component
- Testing a .NET Framework Component

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Create or modify .NET Framework components for interoperability with COM.
- Register .NET Framework components for use with COM.
- Call .NET Framework components from COM applications.
- Debug calls between Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 clients and .NET Framework components.
- Deploy .NET Framework components in the COM environment.

Module 5: Using Unmanaged DLL Functions in .NET Framework Applications

This module explains how to call functions implemented in unmanaged non-COM dynamic-link libraries (DLLs), such as Microsoft Windows® API DLLs, from a .NET Framework application. As an alternative to calling Windows API functions from managed applications, this module briefly explains some of the .NET Framework classes that you can use to achieve equivalent functionality.

Lessons

- Calling Unmanaged DLL Functions
- Making Advanced Calls
- Using .NET Framework Classes Instead of Windows API

Lab 5.1: Calling Unmanaged DLL Functions from Managed Code

- Calling a Function
- Using a Callback Function

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Call functions in unmanaged DLLs that are not COM-based, including Windows API DLLs.
- Create wrappers for unmanaged functions.
- Pass structures to unmanaged functions and use callback functions.
- Use .NET Framework classes instead of Windows API functions, if an equivalent exists.

Module 6: Upgrading to ASP.NET

This module explains the reasons for upgrading your Web application to Microsoft ASP.NET, explains how Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) and ASP.NET can function together, and describes how to upgrade the ASP and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pages in your existing applications to ASP.NET.

Lessons

- ASP vs. ASP.NET
- Upgrading HTML Pages to ASP.NET
- Upgrading ASP Pages to ASP.NET

Lab 6.1: Upgrading ASP Applications to ASP.NET

- Adding ASP pages to an ASP.NET Project
- Converting an ASP Page to an ASP.NET Web Form

After completing this module, students will be able to:

- Run ASP and ASP.NET pages side-by-side in an application.
- Upgrade an HTML application to ASP.NET.
- Upgrade an ASP application to ASP.NET.