Visual Basic

Visual Basic is a general-purpose imperative and object-oriented language first appearing in 1991.

Hello World

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
    <RootNamespace>tmp</RootNamespace>
    <TargetFramework>net7.0</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>

</Project>

Coding Guide

Language Version

Visual Basic .NET (.NET 7.0 SDK)

Execution Model

• Compiled language using the .NET SDK
• Code is compiled and executed via dotnet run
• Your fragment is the entire module between the markers — write a complete Module Fraglet with Sub Main(args As String()) and any helpers you need.

Key Characteristics

• Statically typed, case-insensitive
• Object-oriented (classes, modules, interfaces)
• Verbose keywords: Sub, End Sub, Dim, As
• Rich standard library (BCL — same as C#)
• Option Strict can affect type inference

Fragment Authoring

Write a complete VB.NET module. Use Module Fraglet (the template expects this name). Your fragment replaces the whole module between the markers, so include Sub Main(args As String()) and End Sub / End Module. You have args (command-line arguments) and Console for I/O.

Command-line arguments and stdin

• Arguments: args (String()) is in scope in Sub Main. Example: Console.WriteLine("Args: " & String.Join(" ", args))
• Stdin: Use Console.ReadLine() (one line) or Console.In.ReadToEnd() (entire input).

Available Namespaces

The template has Imports System above the fragment. You can use:

• System — Console, String, Int32, etc.
• System.Collections.Generic — List, Dictionary
• System.Linq — LINQ (add Imports System.Linq inside your module if needed)
• System.IO — File I/O

Common Patterns

• Print: Console.WriteLine("message")
• Variables: Dim x As Integer = 10 or Dim x = 10
• String concatenation: "Hello " & name or $"Hello {name}" (interpolation)
• Arrays: Dim arr() As Integer = {1, 2, 3}
• Loops: For i = 0 To 9 ... Next or For Each item In collection ... Next
• Args: String.Join(" ", args)

Examples

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Console.WriteLine("Hello from fragment!")
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim a As Integer = 5
        Dim b As Integer = 10
        Console.WriteLine($"Sum: {a + b}")
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim numbers As New List(Of Integer) From {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
        Dim sum As Integer = 0
        For Each num In numbers
            sum += num
        Next
        Console.WriteLine($"List sum: {sum}")
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim message As String = "Hello"
        message &= " World!"
        Console.WriteLine(message)
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Console.WriteLine("Args: " & String.Join(" ", args))
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Console.WriteLine(Console.In.ReadToEnd())
    End Sub
End Module

Module Fraglet
    Sub Main(args As String())
        Dim multiply As Func(Of Integer, Integer, Integer) = Function(a, b) a * b
        Console.WriteLine($"5 * 3 = {multiply(5, 3)}")
    End Sub
End Module

Caveats

• Fragment must be valid VB.NET that compiles; the compiler runs each time
• Use Module Fraglet so the template and entry point stay consistent
• Use & for string concatenation; + works for numbers but & is preferred for strings
• String interpolation: $"text {expr}"
• Case does not matter for keywords and identifiers

Container Info