Here's a breakdown of why:
* Visual Basic relies on the .NET Framework: Visual Basic is built upon the .NET Framework (or .NET Core/ .NET 5+). This means that the core functionality for things like data types, input/output, and common tasks are provided by the .NET Framework.
* Namespaces and Assemblies: The .NET Framework organizes its functionality into namespaces (like `System`, `System.IO`, `System.Data`) and these are contained within assemblies (DLL files).
* Adding References: When you create a Visual Basic project, you can add references to specific assemblies. This lets you use the classes and methods defined in those assemblies within your code.
* Object Browser: The Visual Studio IDE provides an "Object Browser" that helps you explore the namespaces, classes, and members available within your project's references.
In summary:
* Visual Basic doesn't have a separate "reference library" like you might see in some other languages.
* It uses the .NET Framework for its core functionality.
* You add references to assemblies to access the specific features you need.
* The Object Browser is a tool to help you navigate the available classes and methods.