' Class-level declaration.
' Create a TraceSwitch to use in the entire application. 
Private Shared mySwitch As New TraceSwitch("General", "Entire Application")    

Public Shared Sub MyMethod()
    ' Write the message if the TraceSwitch level is set to Error or higher.
    If mySwitch.TraceError Then
        Console.WriteLine("My error message.")
    End If 
    ' Write the message if the TraceSwitch level is set to Verbose.
    If mySwitch.TraceVerbose Then
        Console.WriteLine("My second error message.")
    End If
End Sub

Public Shared Sub Main()
    ' Run the method that prints error messages based on the switch level.
    MyMethod()
End Sub

Private Shared appSwitch As new TraceSwitch("mySwitch", _
    "Switch in config file")

Public Shared Sub Main(args As String())
    '...
    Console.WriteLine("Trace switch {0} configured as {1}",
    appSwitch.DisplayName, appSwitch.Level.ToString())
    If appSwitch.TraceError = True  Then
        '...
    End If
End Sub