Imports. Most larger VB.NET programs begin with an Imports Statement, and this is done to allow the program to more easily access types within namespaces.
With an equals sign, we can define an alias to a type or namespace. So we can use custom identifiers as types—this can make programs easier to read, or (more often) harder to read.
Example. This program uses 3 Imports statements. The first 2 statements are alias statements, meaning they import a type (a Class) and use a new word to refer to it.
Warning Using the word "Cat" to refer to StringBuilder is probably not a good idea. And neither is using Door to refer to Console.
Imports Cat = System.Text.StringBuilder
Imports Door = System.Console
Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions
Module Module1
Sub Main()
' Create a StringBuilder using the Cat alias.
Dim sparky As Cat = New Cat()
sparky.Append("123")
sparky.Append("abc")
' Use the Door alias to System.Console.
Door.WriteLine(sparky)
' See if the Cat matches the Regex.
If Regex.IsMatch(sparky.ToString(), "\d\d\d...")
Door.WriteLine("OK")
End If
End Sub
End Module123abc
OK
Using notes. Suppose you have a larger project with 2 classes both named with a common word. With Imports aliases, we could alias one of them to a slightly different word.
And This would allow the program to compile. It is probably best to use String2 instead of something unusual like Cat.
Summary. The Imports keyword is used to access namespaces or types like Classes. It cannot specify a method name—this will cause a compile-time error.
Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.
Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.