if Not Page.IsPostBack then
dim mycountries=New SortedList
mycountries.Add("C","China")
mycountries.Add("S","Sweden")
mycountries.Add("F","France")
mycountries.Add("I","Italy")
dd.DataSource=mycountries
sub displayMessage(s as Object,e As EventArgs)
lbl1.text="Your favorite country is: " & dd.SelectedItem.Text
<asp:DropDownList id="dd" runat="server"
AutoPostBack="True" onSelectedIndexChanged="displayMessage" />
<p><asp:label id="lbl1" runat="server" /></p>