In the last couple of chapters, you worked with simple data types, naming Integer and String variables. While these data types are useful in their own rights, more complex programs call for working with data structures; that is, groups of data elements that are organized in a single unit. In this chapter, you learn about the various data structures available in Visual Basic .NET and will see some ways in which you can work with complex sets of data. You will also learn how you can build powerful collection classes for working with, maintaining, and manipulating lists of complex data.

In this chapter, you will learn about:

• Arrays

• Enumerations

• Constants

• Structures

Chapter 5.1: Understanding Arrays

Chapter 5.2: Understanding Enumerations

Chapter 5.3: Understanding Constants

Chapter 5.4: Structures

Chapter 5.5: Working with ArrayLists

Chapter 5.6: Collections

Chapter 5.7: Hashtable

Chapter 5.8: Advanced Array Manipulation

Chapter 5.9: Summary