VB.Net Class..Object

Declare and implement VB.Net classes after the form class or in their own .vb files. Unlike VB Classic, you can have more than one class in a .vb class file (VB classic uses .cls files for each class).

Add a Member Field

Let's give our cyborg a name by using a public member field. Then, below, we will change our member field into a VB.Net class property.

Public Class Form1

  Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim T1 As New Cyborg

 
    T1.Name = "Number 1"
    T1.IntroduceYourself()
  End Sub
End Class

Public Class Cyborg
  Inherits Object

  Public Name

  Public Sub IntroduceYourself()
    MessageBox.Show("Hi, my name is " + Name + ".")
  End Sub
End Class

Member Fields vs Properties

The main difference between a raw member field (as in above) and a property is the formal use of accessor methods. Accessor methods (getters and setters) allow you to control data going into and out of a member field and is considered a best practice.

VB.Net Property Sample Code:

Public Class Form1
  Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim T1 As New Cyborg
     

    T1.Name = "Cameron"
    T1.IntroduceYourself()
  End Sub
End Class

Public Class Cyborg
  Private FName As String

  Public Property Name()
    Get
      Return FName
    End Get

 
    Set(ByVal value)
      FName = value
    End Set
  End Property

  Public Sub IntroduceYourself()
    MessageBox.Show("Hi, my name is " + Name + ".")
  End Sub
End Class

You can use this class, for example, on the click event of a button:

Public Class Form1
  Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim T1 As New Cyborg
 

    T1.Name = "Cameron"
    T1.IntroduceYourself()
  End Sub
End Class