Namespace

This is an organizational construct. It cannot be instantiated (as with New) like a Class. Instead, we use a namespace to separate code into logical parts.

Namespace benefits

Namespaces help developers understand code but do not impact execution. They can make a program easier to develop and learn.

This example program is divided into 3 classes. The first 2 classes use custom namespaces—Perls and Ruby. They both contain classes—two independent classes both named Website.

Namespace Perls
    Class Website
        Public Shared Sub Execute()
            Console.WriteLine("Perls Website")
        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace
Namespace Ruby
    Class Website
        Public Shared Sub Open()
            Console.WriteLine("Ruby Website")
        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace
Imports ProgramExample.Perls

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        ' This requires the Imports ProgramExample.Perls directive.
        Website.Execute()

        ' Access namespace directly in a statement.
        Ruby.Website.Open()
    End Sub
End Module
Perls Website
Ruby Website

Discussion

There are many ways to use namespaces in programs. Every program by default uses a Root namespace. This is automatically generated when we create a new project.

Summary

Projects often have special rules for Namespaces. Many projects use company-based identifiers in Namespaces. Naming rules are specified by the project, not the VB.NET language itself.