<![CDATA[BP Forums - Code Snippets]]> https://bpforums.info/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:23:37 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Using the WebClient Class To Track Download Progress]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=808 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 21:12:08 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=808
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Net
Public Class Form1

Private Sub btn_downloadStart_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles btn_downloadStart.Click
Dim wc As New WebClient 'This allows us to actually download the files
AddHandler wc.DownloadProgressChanged, AddressOf DownloadProgressChanged 'Link the progresschanged event with our subroutine
AddHandler wc.DownloadFileCompleted, AddressOf DownloadFileCompleted 'Link the downloadfilecompleted event with our subrouting
wc.DownloadFileAsync(New System.Uri("File URL"), "Local Path") 'Actually download the file (on another thread), change File URL and Local Path to your information
End Sub

Public Sub DownloadProgressChanged(sender As Object, e As DownloadProgressChangedEventArgs)
progress_download.Value = e.ProgressPercentage 'Displays download progress on a progress bar
lbl_details.Text = e.BytesReceived & "/" & e.TotalBytesToReceive 'Displays download progress (as fraction) in a label
End Sub

Public Sub DownloadFileCompleted(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)
MsgBox("The file has completed downloading!") 'Tell the user the download is complete
End Sub
End Class[/code2]

A video tutorial for this code snippet should be coming soon!]]>
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Net
Public Class Form1

Private Sub btn_downloadStart_Click(sender As System.Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles btn_downloadStart.Click
Dim wc As New WebClient 'This allows us to actually download the files
AddHandler wc.DownloadProgressChanged, AddressOf DownloadProgressChanged 'Link the progresschanged event with our subroutine
AddHandler wc.DownloadFileCompleted, AddressOf DownloadFileCompleted 'Link the downloadfilecompleted event with our subrouting
wc.DownloadFileAsync(New System.Uri("File URL"), "Local Path") 'Actually download the file (on another thread), change File URL and Local Path to your information
End Sub

Public Sub DownloadProgressChanged(sender As Object, e As DownloadProgressChangedEventArgs)
progress_download.Value = e.ProgressPercentage 'Displays download progress on a progress bar
lbl_details.Text = e.BytesReceived & "/" & e.TotalBytesToReceive 'Displays download progress (as fraction) in a label
End Sub

Public Sub DownloadFileCompleted(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)
MsgBox("The file has completed downloading!") 'Tell the user the download is complete
End Sub
End Class[/code2]

A video tutorial for this code snippet should be coming soon!]]> <![CDATA[Properties]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=772 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 01:20:10 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=772
Adding basic properties to your form is easy. All you need is an instance variable and a property block. Then you're all set. For example, here is a sample property arrangemenet:
[code2=vbnet]Private _messageString As String
Public Property MessageString As String
Get
Return _messageString
End Get
Set(value As String)
_messageString = value
End Set
End Property[/code2]

Of course, in this example we use a String object. In the real world, any object can be used. After this is added to your object, the user will be able to edit the properties via the properties Window and give this variable a specific value.

What if you wanted to give the user a list of options to choose from, though? This can be doing by combining properties with enumerations. Thus:
[code2=vbnet]Private _messageString As messageIdentifier
Public Property MessageString As messageIdentifier
Get
Return _messageString
End Get
Set(value As messageIdentifier)
_messageString = value
End Set
End Property

Enum messageIdentifier As Integer
Greetings = 1
Goodbyes = 2
Warning = 3
Declaration = 4
End Enum[/code2]

Although the above code snippet may seem rather ridiculous since the Enumerations don't actually correspond to anything, this is a way of offering the user a list of options to choose from. In this case, the list will contain "Greetings", "Goodbyes", "Warning", and "Declaration". You can then work with this choice by processing the enumeration in some way, as such:
[code2=vbnet]Private Function GetMessageString() As String
If (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Declaration) Then
Return "Of Independence"
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Goodbyes) Then
Return "It has been a fun time, but I must leave you."
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Greetings) Then
Return "Salutations, my good man/woman"
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Warning) Then
Return "Back off! You have no business in this area."
Else
Return ""
End If
End Function[/code2]


Thus, it is really easy to give the user the ability to edit properties when they add your custom control to their form. The only downside occurs when you update a property to be a different object, but do not change the value of the property. Massive errors ensue.

View the video here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAK6veamu8o&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAK6veam ... e=youtu.be</a><!-- m -->

Feel free to download a sample project:
[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->PropertyTutorial.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.zip   PropertyTutorial.zip (Size: 74.13 KB / Downloads: 886) ]]>
Adding basic properties to your form is easy. All you need is an instance variable and a property block. Then you're all set. For example, here is a sample property arrangemenet:
[code2=vbnet]Private _messageString As String
Public Property MessageString As String
Get
Return _messageString
End Get
Set(value As String)
_messageString = value
End Set
End Property[/code2]

Of course, in this example we use a String object. In the real world, any object can be used. After this is added to your object, the user will be able to edit the properties via the properties Window and give this variable a specific value.

What if you wanted to give the user a list of options to choose from, though? This can be doing by combining properties with enumerations. Thus:
[code2=vbnet]Private _messageString As messageIdentifier
Public Property MessageString As messageIdentifier
Get
Return _messageString
End Get
Set(value As messageIdentifier)
_messageString = value
End Set
End Property

Enum messageIdentifier As Integer
Greetings = 1
Goodbyes = 2
Warning = 3
Declaration = 4
End Enum[/code2]

Although the above code snippet may seem rather ridiculous since the Enumerations don't actually correspond to anything, this is a way of offering the user a list of options to choose from. In this case, the list will contain "Greetings", "Goodbyes", "Warning", and "Declaration". You can then work with this choice by processing the enumeration in some way, as such:
[code2=vbnet]Private Function GetMessageString() As String
If (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Declaration) Then
Return "Of Independence"
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Goodbyes) Then
Return "It has been a fun time, but I must leave you."
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Greetings) Then
Return "Salutations, my good man/woman"
ElseIf (_messageString = messageIdentifier.Warning) Then
Return "Back off! You have no business in this area."
Else
Return ""
End If
End Function[/code2]


Thus, it is really easy to give the user the ability to edit properties when they add your custom control to their form. The only downside occurs when you update a property to be a different object, but do not change the value of the property. Massive errors ensue.

View the video here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAK6veamu8o&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAK6veam ... e=youtu.be</a><!-- m -->

Feel free to download a sample project:
[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->PropertyTutorial.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.zip   PropertyTutorial.zip (Size: 74.13 KB / Downloads: 886) ]]> <![CDATA[Making Your Program Start with Windows]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=771 Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:10:35 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=771
The first thing you need to do is as the "Windows Script Host Object Model" COM object as a reference to your project. This is very important.

Next, you will want to import the reference:
[code2=vbnet]Imports IWshRuntimeLibrary[/code2]

Now you're good to go and you can start your application with Windows. Essentially, this code will create a shortcut in the users "Startup" folder, forcing Windows to start the application when the computer is turned on.

This code will create the shortcut/start the program with Windows:
[code2=vbnet]'create path variables
Dim startupPath As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup)
Dim executablePath As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.FileName
Dim executableName As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.ModuleName
'create shortcut
Dim Shell As WshShell
Dim Link As WshShortcut
Try
Shell = New WshShell
Link = CType(Shell.CreateShortcut(startupPath & "\" & executableName & ".lnk"), IWshShortcut)
Link.TargetPath = executablePath
Link.Save()
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.Message)
End Try[/code2]

This code will remove the shortcut/stop the program from starting with Windows:
[code2=vbnet]Dim startupPath As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup)
Dim executableName As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.ModuleName

Dim directoryInfo As New System.IO.DirectoryInfo(startupPath)
Dim fileInfo() As System.IO.FileInfo
fileInfo = directoryInfo.GetFiles("*.lnk")
For Each file As System.IO.FileInfo In fileInfo
If (file.FullName.Contains(executableName)) Then
file.Delete()
End If
Next[/code2]


Optionally, you can eliminate the deletion of files with similar names by changing file.FullName.Contains(executableName) to file.FullName.Equals(executableName)


Watch the video here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPqPtTjMzQ&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPqPtTj ... e=youtu.be</a><!-- m -->


[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->StartupTest.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.zip   StartupTest.zip (Size: 91.73 KB / Downloads: 967) ]]>
The first thing you need to do is as the "Windows Script Host Object Model" COM object as a reference to your project. This is very important.

Next, you will want to import the reference:
[code2=vbnet]Imports IWshRuntimeLibrary[/code2]

Now you're good to go and you can start your application with Windows. Essentially, this code will create a shortcut in the users "Startup" folder, forcing Windows to start the application when the computer is turned on.

This code will create the shortcut/start the program with Windows:
[code2=vbnet]'create path variables
Dim startupPath As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup)
Dim executablePath As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.FileName
Dim executableName As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.ModuleName
'create shortcut
Dim Shell As WshShell
Dim Link As WshShortcut
Try
Shell = New WshShell
Link = CType(Shell.CreateShortcut(startupPath & "\" & executableName & ".lnk"), IWshShortcut)
Link.TargetPath = executablePath
Link.Save()
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.Message)
End Try[/code2]

This code will remove the shortcut/stop the program from starting with Windows:
[code2=vbnet]Dim startupPath As String = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Startup)
Dim executableName As String = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainModule.ModuleName

Dim directoryInfo As New System.IO.DirectoryInfo(startupPath)
Dim fileInfo() As System.IO.FileInfo
fileInfo = directoryInfo.GetFiles("*.lnk")
For Each file As System.IO.FileInfo In fileInfo
If (file.FullName.Contains(executableName)) Then
file.Delete()
End If
Next[/code2]


Optionally, you can eliminate the deletion of files with similar names by changing file.FullName.Contains(executableName) to file.FullName.Equals(executableName)


Watch the video here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPqPtTjMzQ&feature=youtu.be">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPqPtTj ... e=youtu.be</a><!-- m -->


[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->StartupTest.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.zip   StartupTest.zip (Size: 91.73 KB / Downloads: 967) ]]> <![CDATA[Editable Label]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=722 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:28:46 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=722
The premise behind this control is the idea that users should be able to view and edit information; however, the ability to edit should remain non-intrusive. This is especially useful for people like on-phone tech-support who often need to view information but very rarely need to edit it.

The control consists of the following items
-A FlowLayoutPanel
-Two Labels
-A TextBox

Here is the code behind the control:
[code2=vbnet]Public Class ChangableLabel
'============================================================================
'ChangableLabel class created by Brandon Milton (brandonio21)
'This class was created specifically for a tutorial on the BrandonioProductions YouTube channel
' You can find this channel at: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://youtube.com/BrandonioProductions">http://youtube.com/BrandonioProductions</a><!-- m -->
'Discussion of this class is held at BP Forums
' A direct link to the thread: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bpforums.info/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=745">viewtopic.php?f=22&t=745</a><!-- l -->
'Feel free to use this class in any way, but please remember to credit the author somewhere in the application
'=============================================================================

Public Property IdentifierText As String
'This property allows us to change the text of the first label when objectilized (sp?)
Get
Return lbl_identifier.Text
End Get
Set(value As String)
lbl_identifier.Text = value
End Set
End Property
Public Property InformationText As String
'This property allows us to change the text of the second label when objectilized (sp?)
Get
Return lbl_information.Text
End Get
Set(value As String)
lbl_information.Text = value
End Set
End Property

Private Sub lbl_information_MouseDoubleClick(sender As System.Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles lbl_information.MouseDoubleClick
'Here we want the textbox to appear
Dim oldLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(1), Label) 'Save the label
flp_main.Controls.RemoveAt(1) 'Remove the label from the FlowLayoutPanel (so it can be replaced)

Dim txt_information As New TextBox 'Create textbox
Dim textboxSize As New Size(GetLabelWidth(oldLabel) + 25, txt_information.Size.Height) 'set size to ~ same size as label to avoid awkwardness
txt_information.Size = textboxSize 'set the size
txt_information.Text = oldLabel.Text 'set the text as old label text
AddHandler txt_information.KeyPress, AddressOf txt_information_keypress 'add handler to detect "enter" presses

flp_main.Controls.Add(txt_information) 'add the textbox to the FlowLayoutPanel
End Sub

Private Function GetLabelWidth(ByVal label As Label) As Integer
'This method gets the pixel width of labels
Dim g As Graphics = label.CreateGraphics() 'create graphix object for label to access info
Dim fontSize As SizeF 'var to save font sizes
fontSize = g.MeasureString(label.Text, label.Font) 'save the pixeled size of the label's text
Return fontSize.Width 'return the object (this is a function, afterall)
End Function
Private Sub txt_information_keypress(sender As Object, e As KeyPressEventArgs)
'this method is used to detect when the enter key is pressed on the textbox, return everything to normal state
If (e.KeyChar = Microsoft.VisualBasic.ChrW(Keys.Enter)) Then
Dim txt_information As TextBox = CType(sender, TextBox) 'save textbox var
Dim newLabel As New Label 'create new label
newLabel.AutoSize = True 'This gave lots of problems; allows for the control to resize with new label
newLabel.Text = txt_information.Text 'set the labels text to user input
AddHandler newLabel.MouseDoubleClick, AddressOf lbl_information_MouseDoubleClick
AddHandler newLabel.TextChanged, AddressOf ResizeControl
'^Adding handlers to resize the control and to detect double clicks, self-explanatory

'now we need to remove the textbox and add the label
flp_main.Controls.RemoveAt(1)
flp_main.Controls.Add(newLabel)


ResizeControl() 'resize the entire control to fit the new objects
End If
End Sub

Private Sub ResizeControl() Handles lbl_identifier.TextChanged, lbl_information.TextChanged
'this method resizes the control to fit the new objects and to make room for others around it

'create vars to hold size information
Dim identLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(0), Label) 'save copy of first label
Dim infoLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(1), Label) 'save copy of second label
Dim paddingSpace As Integer = 50

Dim width As Integer = GetLabelWidth(identLabel) + GetLabelWidth(infoLabel) + paddingSpace 'add all the widths!
Me.Size = New Size(width, Me.Size.Height) 'set the new size
End Sub


End Class[/code2]

Here is a quick screenshot of the control in action:
[attachment=2]<!-- ia2 -->changeablelabelconcept.png<!-- ia2 -->[/attachment]


Instead of typing out all of the information about this control, I have made a video tutorial that explains it. Watch it here:
[youtube]PcumZmVh4JM[/youtube]

Download the project here:
[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->TextBoxChangeControlTut.zip<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment]

Download only the control resources here:[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->ChangableLabel.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.png   changeablelabelconcept.png (Size: 45.15 KB / Downloads: 1708)

.zip   TextBoxChangeControlTut.zip (Size: 72.03 KB / Downloads: 872)

.zip   ChangableLabel.zip (Size: 4.33 KB / Downloads: 870) ]]>
The premise behind this control is the idea that users should be able to view and edit information; however, the ability to edit should remain non-intrusive. This is especially useful for people like on-phone tech-support who often need to view information but very rarely need to edit it.

The control consists of the following items
-A FlowLayoutPanel
-Two Labels
-A TextBox

Here is the code behind the control:
[code2=vbnet]Public Class ChangableLabel
'============================================================================
'ChangableLabel class created by Brandon Milton (brandonio21)
'This class was created specifically for a tutorial on the BrandonioProductions YouTube channel
' You can find this channel at: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://youtube.com/BrandonioProductions">http://youtube.com/BrandonioProductions</a><!-- m -->
'Discussion of this class is held at BP Forums
' A direct link to the thread: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bpforums.info/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=745">viewtopic.php?f=22&t=745</a><!-- l -->
'Feel free to use this class in any way, but please remember to credit the author somewhere in the application
'=============================================================================

Public Property IdentifierText As String
'This property allows us to change the text of the first label when objectilized (sp?)
Get
Return lbl_identifier.Text
End Get
Set(value As String)
lbl_identifier.Text = value
End Set
End Property
Public Property InformationText As String
'This property allows us to change the text of the second label when objectilized (sp?)
Get
Return lbl_information.Text
End Get
Set(value As String)
lbl_information.Text = value
End Set
End Property

Private Sub lbl_information_MouseDoubleClick(sender As System.Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles lbl_information.MouseDoubleClick
'Here we want the textbox to appear
Dim oldLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(1), Label) 'Save the label
flp_main.Controls.RemoveAt(1) 'Remove the label from the FlowLayoutPanel (so it can be replaced)

Dim txt_information As New TextBox 'Create textbox
Dim textboxSize As New Size(GetLabelWidth(oldLabel) + 25, txt_information.Size.Height) 'set size to ~ same size as label to avoid awkwardness
txt_information.Size = textboxSize 'set the size
txt_information.Text = oldLabel.Text 'set the text as old label text
AddHandler txt_information.KeyPress, AddressOf txt_information_keypress 'add handler to detect "enter" presses

flp_main.Controls.Add(txt_information) 'add the textbox to the FlowLayoutPanel
End Sub

Private Function GetLabelWidth(ByVal label As Label) As Integer
'This method gets the pixel width of labels
Dim g As Graphics = label.CreateGraphics() 'create graphix object for label to access info
Dim fontSize As SizeF 'var to save font sizes
fontSize = g.MeasureString(label.Text, label.Font) 'save the pixeled size of the label's text
Return fontSize.Width 'return the object (this is a function, afterall)
End Function
Private Sub txt_information_keypress(sender As Object, e As KeyPressEventArgs)
'this method is used to detect when the enter key is pressed on the textbox, return everything to normal state
If (e.KeyChar = Microsoft.VisualBasic.ChrW(Keys.Enter)) Then
Dim txt_information As TextBox = CType(sender, TextBox) 'save textbox var
Dim newLabel As New Label 'create new label
newLabel.AutoSize = True 'This gave lots of problems; allows for the control to resize with new label
newLabel.Text = txt_information.Text 'set the labels text to user input
AddHandler newLabel.MouseDoubleClick, AddressOf lbl_information_MouseDoubleClick
AddHandler newLabel.TextChanged, AddressOf ResizeControl
'^Adding handlers to resize the control and to detect double clicks, self-explanatory

'now we need to remove the textbox and add the label
flp_main.Controls.RemoveAt(1)
flp_main.Controls.Add(newLabel)


ResizeControl() 'resize the entire control to fit the new objects
End If
End Sub

Private Sub ResizeControl() Handles lbl_identifier.TextChanged, lbl_information.TextChanged
'this method resizes the control to fit the new objects and to make room for others around it

'create vars to hold size information
Dim identLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(0), Label) 'save copy of first label
Dim infoLabel As Label = CType(flp_main.Controls.Item(1), Label) 'save copy of second label
Dim paddingSpace As Integer = 50

Dim width As Integer = GetLabelWidth(identLabel) + GetLabelWidth(infoLabel) + paddingSpace 'add all the widths!
Me.Size = New Size(width, Me.Size.Height) 'set the new size
End Sub


End Class[/code2]

Here is a quick screenshot of the control in action:
[attachment=2]<!-- ia2 -->changeablelabelconcept.png<!-- ia2 -->[/attachment]


Instead of typing out all of the information about this control, I have made a video tutorial that explains it. Watch it here:
[youtube]PcumZmVh4JM[/youtube]

Download the project here:
[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->TextBoxChangeControlTut.zip<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment]

Download only the control resources here:[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->ChangableLabel.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

.png   changeablelabelconcept.png (Size: 45.15 KB / Downloads: 1708)

.zip   TextBoxChangeControlTut.zip (Size: 72.03 KB / Downloads: 872)

.zip   ChangableLabel.zip (Size: 4.33 KB / Downloads: 870) ]]> <![CDATA[Reading and Wrinting XML Files]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=700 Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:35:35 +0000 Snake_eyes]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=700
For the sake of this example let's say we have an application that on form load creates toolstrip butons that when cliked load a web page on a web browser

First of all let's see the format of the Xml file
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?>
<root>
   <ToolStipButtons>
      <item Name="btn1" url="www.google.com" btnName ="Google" />
      <item name="btn2" url="www.bing.com" btnText="Bing" />
      <item name="btn2" url="www.yahoo.com" btnText="Yahoo" />
   </ToolStripButtons>  
</root>

In order for the code to work we need to import System.Xml
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Xml[/code2]

Reading the xml file

Now let's see about reading the values from the xml file and creating the buttons.
[code2=vbnet]Public Sub CreateButons()
Dim Xml_Doc As New XmlDocument
Xml_Doc.Load(Application.StartupPath & "/AppSettings.xml")
Dim xmlNode As XmlNode
For Each xmlNode In xmlDoc.SelectNodes("/root/ToolStripButtons/item")
Dim NewBtn As New ToolStripButton With {.Name = node.Attributes("name").Value.ToString, _
.Tag = node.Attributes("url").Value.ToString, _
.Text = node.Attributes("btnText").Value.ToString} }
AddHandler NewBtn.Click, AddressOf NewBtn_Click
ToolStrip1.Items.Add(NewBtn)
Next
End Sub[/code2]

After this just create a sub named "NewBtn_Click" to handle the click event of the individual buttons

Writing the xml file

If changes occured to the ToolStripButtons and we need to save the new values to the xml file then we will use the folowing code:

[code2=vbnet]Public Sub SaveValues()

Dim settings As New XmlWriterSettings
settings.Indent = True
settings.NewLineOnAttributes = False

Dim Xml_doc As New XmlDocument
Xml_doc.Load(Application.StartupPath & "\AppSettings.xml")
Xml_doc.RemoveAll()

Dim Writer As XmlWriter = XmlWriter.Create(Application.StartupPath & "\AppSettings.xml", settings)

With Writer
.WriteStartDocument(True)
.WriteStartElement("root")
.WriteStartElement("ToolStripButtons")

For Each Btn As ToolStripButton In ToolStrip1.Items
'//Writes the Item Element
.WriteStartElement("item")
'// Writes the "Name" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("name")
.WriteValue(Btn.Name)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the "url" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("url")
.WriteValue(Btn.Tag)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the "btnText" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("btnText")
.WriteValue(Btn.Text)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the end of the item element
.WriteEndElement()

Next
.WriteEndElement()
.WriteEndElement()
.WriteEndDocument()
.Flush()
.Close()
End With

End Sub[/code2]


Now just simply call the CreateButons() on the Form_Load event and the SaveValues() in the Form_Closing event(or any other sub for that mater, depending on your needs).

I also recommend using Try/Catch blocks in order to catch any unwanted errors that might occur]]>
For the sake of this example let's say we have an application that on form load creates toolstrip butons that when cliked load a web page on a web browser

First of all let's see the format of the Xml file
Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?>
<root>
   <ToolStipButtons>
      <item Name="btn1" url="www.google.com" btnName ="Google" />
      <item name="btn2" url="www.bing.com" btnText="Bing" />
      <item name="btn2" url="www.yahoo.com" btnText="Yahoo" />
   </ToolStripButtons>  
</root>

In order for the code to work we need to import System.Xml
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Xml[/code2]

Reading the xml file

Now let's see about reading the values from the xml file and creating the buttons.
[code2=vbnet]Public Sub CreateButons()
Dim Xml_Doc As New XmlDocument
Xml_Doc.Load(Application.StartupPath & "/AppSettings.xml")
Dim xmlNode As XmlNode
For Each xmlNode In xmlDoc.SelectNodes("/root/ToolStripButtons/item")
Dim NewBtn As New ToolStripButton With {.Name = node.Attributes("name").Value.ToString, _
.Tag = node.Attributes("url").Value.ToString, _
.Text = node.Attributes("btnText").Value.ToString} }
AddHandler NewBtn.Click, AddressOf NewBtn_Click
ToolStrip1.Items.Add(NewBtn)
Next
End Sub[/code2]

After this just create a sub named "NewBtn_Click" to handle the click event of the individual buttons

Writing the xml file

If changes occured to the ToolStripButtons and we need to save the new values to the xml file then we will use the folowing code:

[code2=vbnet]Public Sub SaveValues()

Dim settings As New XmlWriterSettings
settings.Indent = True
settings.NewLineOnAttributes = False

Dim Xml_doc As New XmlDocument
Xml_doc.Load(Application.StartupPath & "\AppSettings.xml")
Xml_doc.RemoveAll()

Dim Writer As XmlWriter = XmlWriter.Create(Application.StartupPath & "\AppSettings.xml", settings)

With Writer
.WriteStartDocument(True)
.WriteStartElement("root")
.WriteStartElement("ToolStripButtons")

For Each Btn As ToolStripButton In ToolStrip1.Items
'//Writes the Item Element
.WriteStartElement("item")
'// Writes the "Name" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("name")
.WriteValue(Btn.Name)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the "url" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("url")
.WriteValue(Btn.Tag)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the "btnText" atribute and it's value
.WriteStartAttribute("btnText")
.WriteValue(Btn.Text)
.WriteEndAttribute()
'// Writes the end of the item element
.WriteEndElement()

Next
.WriteEndElement()
.WriteEndElement()
.WriteEndDocument()
.Flush()
.Close()
End With

End Sub[/code2]


Now just simply call the CreateButons() on the Form_Load event and the SaveValues() in the Form_Closing event(or any other sub for that mater, depending on your needs).

I also recommend using Try/Catch blocks in order to catch any unwanted errors that might occur]]> <![CDATA[Areo / Glass effect]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=651 Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:20:14 +0000 brco900033]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=651
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
Public Class Form1
Declare Auto Function DwmIsCompositionEnabled Lib "dwmapi.dll" Alias "DwmIsCompositionEnabled" (ByRef pfEnabled As Boolean) As Integer
Declare Auto Function DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea Lib "dwmapi.dll" Alias "DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea" (ByVal hWnd As IntPtr, ByRef pMargin As MARGINS) As Integer
Dim pMargins As New MARGINS With {.Su = -1, .Sinistra = -1, .Destra = -1, .Giu = -1}

<StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)> _
Public Structure MARGINS
Public Destra As Integer
Public Sinistra As Integer
Public Su As Integer
Public Giu As Integer
End Structure

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
Dim en As Boolean = False
DwmIsCompositionEnabled(en)
If en Then
DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea(Me.Handle, pMargins)
End If
Me.TransparencyKey = Color.FromKnownColor(KnownColor.ActiveCaption)
Me.BackColor = Me.TransparencyKey
End Sub
End Class[/code2]]]>
[code2=vbnet]Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
Public Class Form1
Declare Auto Function DwmIsCompositionEnabled Lib "dwmapi.dll" Alias "DwmIsCompositionEnabled" (ByRef pfEnabled As Boolean) As Integer
Declare Auto Function DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea Lib "dwmapi.dll" Alias "DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea" (ByVal hWnd As IntPtr, ByRef pMargin As MARGINS) As Integer
Dim pMargins As New MARGINS With {.Su = -1, .Sinistra = -1, .Destra = -1, .Giu = -1}

<StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)> _
Public Structure MARGINS
Public Destra As Integer
Public Sinistra As Integer
Public Su As Integer
Public Giu As Integer
End Structure

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
Dim en As Boolean = False
DwmIsCompositionEnabled(en)
If en Then
DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea(Me.Handle, pMargins)
End If
Me.TransparencyKey = Color.FromKnownColor(KnownColor.ActiveCaption)
Me.BackColor = Me.TransparencyKey
End Sub
End Class[/code2]]]> <![CDATA[Generating a Random Color in Visual Basic .NET]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=633 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:47:32 +0000 Macatone]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=633
This function returns a color with random red, green, and blue values.

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/aS7hxDu5

[code2=vbnet]'This function returns a color with random red, green, and blue values

Function getRandomColor() As Color

Dim random As Random = New Random()
Return Color.FromArgb(random.Next(256), random.Next(256), random.Next(256))

End Function[/code2]]]>
This function returns a color with random red, green, and blue values.

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/aS7hxDu5

[code2=vbnet]'This function returns a color with random red, green, and blue values

Function getRandomColor() As Color

Dim random As Random = New Random()
Return Color.FromArgb(random.Next(256), random.Next(256), random.Next(256))

End Function[/code2]]]> <![CDATA[Working with Sockets]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=560 Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:45:42 +0000 xolara]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=560
In the first part or Part 1 you will have

Server
Client

The Server can
Accept Connections
Accept Commands

The Client can
Connect
Send Commands

in the next part we will make the server able to send back a command to the client this can be used for example in a login. Your client sends the information to the server, The server then checks the information and sends a green light for the client to login



SOURCE CODE FOR PART 1: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketProgrammingPart1.zip">https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/Socke ... gPart1.zip</a><!-- m -->

EXE DOWNLOADS FOR PART 1:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketsPart1.zip">https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketsPart1.zip</a><!-- m -->

How-To:

1: Unzip
2: run SocketTest.sln

This will run both the projects


Please note this part does not include the disconnect so when you close the client or server it will be non responsive (Just click the close button and it will be fine)]]>
In the first part or Part 1 you will have

Server
Client

The Server can
Accept Connections
Accept Commands

The Client can
Connect
Send Commands

in the next part we will make the server able to send back a command to the client this can be used for example in a login. Your client sends the information to the server, The server then checks the information and sends a green light for the client to login



SOURCE CODE FOR PART 1: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketProgrammingPart1.zip">https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/Socke ... gPart1.zip</a><!-- m -->

EXE DOWNLOADS FOR PART 1:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketsPart1.zip">https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12582973/SocketsPart1.zip</a><!-- m -->

How-To:

1: Unzip
2: run SocketTest.sln

This will run both the projects


Please note this part does not include the disconnect so when you close the client or server it will be non responsive (Just click the close button and it will be fine)]]> <![CDATA[Trimming a label]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=549 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:42:02 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=549
Code:
'This method is intended to trim a label that is too long and replace it with
    'dots where there would normally be stuff
    'Made by Brandon Milton, http://brandonsoft.com
    Public Sub TrimLabel(ByVal label As Label, ByVal MaxCharCount As Integer)
            If (label.Text.Length > MaxCharCount) Then
                Dim remaining As Integer = label.Text.Length - MaxCharCount
                label.Text = label.Text.Remove(MaxCharCount - 4, 4 + remaining)
                label.Text = label.Text & "..."
            End If
    End Sub

Usage:
Code:
Dim Label As New Label
Label.Text = "Hello my name is Brandon"
TrimLabel(Label, 10) 'Trims to a max of 10
MsgBox(Label.Text)
With this usage, the output displayed is Hello ... which was trimmed from the original "Hello my name is Brandon"

Pastebin version: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pastebin.com/PPgYrNqm">http://pastebin.com/PPgYrNqm</a><!-- m -->]]>
Code:
'This method is intended to trim a label that is too long and replace it with
    'dots where there would normally be stuff
    'Made by Brandon Milton, http://brandonsoft.com
    Public Sub TrimLabel(ByVal label As Label, ByVal MaxCharCount As Integer)
            If (label.Text.Length > MaxCharCount) Then
                Dim remaining As Integer = label.Text.Length - MaxCharCount
                label.Text = label.Text.Remove(MaxCharCount - 4, 4 + remaining)
                label.Text = label.Text & "..."
            End If
    End Sub

Usage:
Code:
Dim Label As New Label
Label.Text = "Hello my name is Brandon"
TrimLabel(Label, 10) 'Trims to a max of 10
MsgBox(Label.Text)
With this usage, the output displayed is Hello ... which was trimmed from the original "Hello my name is Brandon"

Pastebin version: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pastebin.com/PPgYrNqm">http://pastebin.com/PPgYrNqm</a><!-- m -->]]> <![CDATA[Creating Custom Events]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=504 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:57:21 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=504 QuickClean

To make a custom event, the first thing you are going to do is declare the event for global usage in the global declarations section of your class. For example,
Code:
Public Class Modes

    Event onModeSwitch()

'Sample method
Public Sub New()
   Msgbox(":D")
End Sub
End Class

Then, in order to call this event, you must use the code snippet RaiseEvent

So, using our same example:
Code:
Public Class Modes

    Event onModeSwitch()

'Sample method
Public Sub New()
   Msgbox(":D")
End Sub

'Sample Method to Raise Event
Public Sub SwitchMode()
  RaiseEvent onModeSwitch()
End Sub
End Class

Now, every time the SwitchMode method is called, the event onModeSwitch will be called. This event can now be accessed in the code viewer on any new instance of this class.]]> QuickClean

To make a custom event, the first thing you are going to do is declare the event for global usage in the global declarations section of your class. For example,
Code:
Public Class Modes

    Event onModeSwitch()

'Sample method
Public Sub New()
   Msgbox(":D")
End Sub
End Class

Then, in order to call this event, you must use the code snippet RaiseEvent

So, using our same example:
Code:
Public Class Modes

    Event onModeSwitch()

'Sample method
Public Sub New()
   Msgbox(":D")
End Sub

'Sample Method to Raise Event
Public Sub SwitchMode()
  RaiseEvent onModeSwitch()
End Sub
End Class

Now, every time the SwitchMode method is called, the event onModeSwitch will be called. This event can now be accessed in the code viewer on any new instance of this class.]]> <![CDATA[Code within code]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=445 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:31:10 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=445
Code:
<code>
</code>

So for example,
Code:
Dim c = <code>
Messagebox.Show("Hello!")
</code>

This will actually store the code to display a messagebox with the text of 'Hello' within the c variable. This is very useful if you would like to develop some sort of plugin system for your application.

I am not too familiar on how executing that variable actually works, but here is a code snippet that shows the execution of code stored within a variable.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pastebin.com/CKfD7nRz">http://pastebin.com/CKfD7nRz</a><!-- m -->]]>
Code:
<code>
</code>

So for example,
Code:
Dim c = <code>
Messagebox.Show("Hello!")
</code>

This will actually store the code to display a messagebox with the text of 'Hello' within the c variable. This is very useful if you would like to develop some sort of plugin system for your application.

I am not too familiar on how executing that variable actually works, but here is a code snippet that shows the execution of code stored within a variable.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pastebin.com/CKfD7nRz">http://pastebin.com/CKfD7nRz</a><!-- m -->]]> <![CDATA[Keeping Track of Multiple Things (Alternative to an Array)]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=431 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:02:55 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=431
[code2=vbnet]Dim str1 As String = "Hello"
Dim str2 As String = "My"
Dim str3 As String = "Name"
Dim str4 As String = "Is"
Dim str5 As String = "Brandon"
Dim strList As List(Of String)
strList.Add(str1)
strList.Add(str2)
strList.Add(str3)
strList.Add(str4)
strList.Add(str5)

Dim total As String = ""
For Each item In strList
total = total + " " + item
Next
Msgbox(total)[/code2]
This code will print out a MessageBox with the text of "Hello My Name Is Brandon "

Obviously this is not the best use for Lists, but they may come in handy when doing something else, so be sure to play around with them!]]>
[code2=vbnet]Dim str1 As String = "Hello"
Dim str2 As String = "My"
Dim str3 As String = "Name"
Dim str4 As String = "Is"
Dim str5 As String = "Brandon"
Dim strList As List(Of String)
strList.Add(str1)
strList.Add(str2)
strList.Add(str3)
strList.Add(str4)
strList.Add(str5)

Dim total As String = ""
For Each item In strList
total = total + " " + item
Next
Msgbox(total)[/code2]
This code will print out a MessageBox with the text of "Hello My Name Is Brandon "

Obviously this is not the best use for Lists, but they may come in handy when doing something else, so be sure to play around with them!]]> <![CDATA[Integer Arrays!]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=406 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:12:23 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=406
Code:
Public Sub Execute()
        Dim arrInt(5) As Integer 'Creates an integer array with 5 slots

        arrInt(0) = 1 'Assigns a value of 1 to the first slot in the array
        Dim i As Integer = 0 'Creates an integer, i, and gives the initial value of 0
        Do While i < 5 'While i is 0-4
            arrInt(i) = i + 1 'Tell the corresponding slot in the array to be equal to i+1, so if i was 3, arrInt(3) would be set to 4
            i = i + 1 'Increase the value of i by 1
        Loop
        MsgBox(arrInt(0).ToString + " " + arrInt(1).ToString + " " + arrInt(2).ToString + " " + arrInt(3).ToString + " " + arrInt(4).ToString) 'Convert all the array values to strings, and display them in a messagebox
    End Sub

After posting this little code snippet, I realized that I never really created a video explaining Arrays in vb.net. Since arrays are extremely useful, I may be doing a tutorial on this soon!]]>
Code:
Public Sub Execute()
        Dim arrInt(5) As Integer 'Creates an integer array with 5 slots

        arrInt(0) = 1 'Assigns a value of 1 to the first slot in the array
        Dim i As Integer = 0 'Creates an integer, i, and gives the initial value of 0
        Do While i < 5 'While i is 0-4
            arrInt(i) = i + 1 'Tell the corresponding slot in the array to be equal to i+1, so if i was 3, arrInt(3) would be set to 4
            i = i + 1 'Increase the value of i by 1
        Loop
        MsgBox(arrInt(0).ToString + " " + arrInt(1).ToString + " " + arrInt(2).ToString + " " + arrInt(3).ToString + " " + arrInt(4).ToString) 'Convert all the array values to strings, and display them in a messagebox
    End Sub

After posting this little code snippet, I realized that I never really created a video explaining Arrays in vb.net. Since arrays are extremely useful, I may be doing a tutorial on this soon!]]> <![CDATA[Saving and Reading oAuth Tokens with TwitterVB]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=387 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:57:10 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=387
This is the code that writes the file:
Code:
Public Shared Function getOAuth(ByVal username As String, ByVal PIN As String)
        Try
            Dim writer As New System.IO.StreamWriter(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
            Dim pinIsValid As Boolean = tw.ValidatePIN(PIN)
            If pinIsValid = True Then
                'PIN is valid, write it
                Dim oAuth As String = tw.OAuth_Token
                Dim oAuthSecret As String = tw.OAuth_TokenSecret
                writer.Write(oAuth + "/" + oAuthSecret)
                writer.Close()
                Return "oAuth Information Written!"
            Else
                Return "Invalid PIN"
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            Trace.TraceWarning("Error while trying to get oAuth Tokens, " + ex.Message)
            Return ""
        End Try
    End Function
Keep in mind that code also checks to see whether the PIN is valid or not, so you could use this entire code snippet to validate the twitter username.

This is the code to authenticate the user:
Code:
Public Shared Function Authenticate(ByVal username As String) As Boolean
        Try
            Dim reader As New System.IO.StreamReader(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
            Dim oAuthToken As String = reader.ReadToEnd.Split("/")(0).ToString
            Dim oAuthTokenSecret As String = reader.ReadToEnd.Split("/")(1).ToString
            reader.Close()
            tw.AuthenticateWith(consumerKey, consumerSecret, oAuthToken, oAuthTokenSecret)
            Return True
        Catch ex As Exception
            Trace.TraceWarning("There was an error while trying to authenticate, " + ex.Message)
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

This code might also prove useful.. It checks whether or not an oAuth Token for that username has already been saved.

Code:
Public Shared Function oAuthExists(ByVal username As String) As Boolean
        Try
            If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat") Then
                Dim reader As New System.IO.StreamReader(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
                If reader.ReadToEnd = "" Then
                    Return False
                Else
                    Return True
                End If
                reader.Close()
            Else
                Return False
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

I hope that this has helped!]]>
This is the code that writes the file:
Code:
Public Shared Function getOAuth(ByVal username As String, ByVal PIN As String)
        Try
            Dim writer As New System.IO.StreamWriter(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
            Dim pinIsValid As Boolean = tw.ValidatePIN(PIN)
            If pinIsValid = True Then
                'PIN is valid, write it
                Dim oAuth As String = tw.OAuth_Token
                Dim oAuthSecret As String = tw.OAuth_TokenSecret
                writer.Write(oAuth + "/" + oAuthSecret)
                writer.Close()
                Return "oAuth Information Written!"
            Else
                Return "Invalid PIN"
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            Trace.TraceWarning("Error while trying to get oAuth Tokens, " + ex.Message)
            Return ""
        End Try
    End Function
Keep in mind that code also checks to see whether the PIN is valid or not, so you could use this entire code snippet to validate the twitter username.

This is the code to authenticate the user:
Code:
Public Shared Function Authenticate(ByVal username As String) As Boolean
        Try
            Dim reader As New System.IO.StreamReader(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
            Dim oAuthToken As String = reader.ReadToEnd.Split("/")(0).ToString
            Dim oAuthTokenSecret As String = reader.ReadToEnd.Split("/")(1).ToString
            reader.Close()
            tw.AuthenticateWith(consumerKey, consumerSecret, oAuthToken, oAuthTokenSecret)
            Return True
        Catch ex As Exception
            Trace.TraceWarning("There was an error while trying to authenticate, " + ex.Message)
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

This code might also prove useful.. It checks whether or not an oAuth Token for that username has already been saved.

Code:
Public Shared Function oAuthExists(ByVal username As String) As Boolean
        Try
            If My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat") Then
                Dim reader As New System.IO.StreamReader(My.Application.Info.DirectoryPath + "/" + username + ".dat")
                If reader.ReadToEnd = "" Then
                    Return False
                Else
                    Return True
                End If
                reader.Close()
            Else
                Return False
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

I hope that this has helped!]]> <![CDATA[Improved program trial]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=381 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:36:53 +0000 brandonio21_phpbb3_import2]]> https://bpforums.info/showthread.php?tid=381
[code2=vbnet]'This variable, trialLength is the number of days you want your free trial (or paid) to last.
Dim trialLength As Integer = 7
If My.Settings.startdate.Year = 1 Then
'Date has not yet been set, set it for today
My.Settings.startdate = My.Computer.Clock.LocalTime
Else
'Date has already been set, check for # days
Dim ts As New TimeSpan(-trialLength, 0, 0, 0, 0)
If My.Settings.startdate.Subtract(My.Computer.Clock.LocalTime) <= ts Then
'This part of the code occurs if the trial is finished
MsgBox("7 Day trial ended!")
Else
'Trial has not yet ended
MsgBox("You're good.")
End If
End If[/code2]

So simply adjust the trialLength variable to how many days you want your trial to last, and put this into your form load sub!]]>
[code2=vbnet]'This variable, trialLength is the number of days you want your free trial (or paid) to last.
Dim trialLength As Integer = 7
If My.Settings.startdate.Year = 1 Then
'Date has not yet been set, set it for today
My.Settings.startdate = My.Computer.Clock.LocalTime
Else
'Date has already been set, check for # days
Dim ts As New TimeSpan(-trialLength, 0, 0, 0, 0)
If My.Settings.startdate.Subtract(My.Computer.Clock.LocalTime) <= ts Then
'This part of the code occurs if the trial is finished
MsgBox("7 Day trial ended!")
Else
'Trial has not yet ended
MsgBox("You're good.")
End If
End If[/code2]

So simply adjust the trialLength variable to how many days you want your trial to last, and put this into your form load sub!]]>