Visual Basic 2005 with .NET 3.0 Programmer's Reference

The syntax for writing a structure is as follows:

[attribute_list] [Partial] [accessibility] [Shadows] _ Structure name[(Of type_list)] [Implements interface] statements End Structure

The structure’s attribute_list, Partial, accessibility, Shadows, type_list, and Implements statements are the same as those for classes. See the previous section for details.

The differences between a structure and a class are:

• Structures cannot use the MustInherit or NotInheritable keyword (because you cannot inherit from a structure).

• Structures cannot use the Inherits clause.

• Structures must contain at least one instance variable or event, which may be private. Strangely, a property procedure is not enough.

• Structures are value types, while classes are reference types. See Chapter 16 for information on the consequences of this difference.