Beginning ASP.NET 2.0 in C# 2005: From Novice to Professional

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Beginning ASP.NET 2.0 in C# 2005: From Novice to Professional

I have had the pleasure of reviewing so many ASP.NETtutorial books that I ve nearly lost count. Every new version of Microsoft spreeminent Web technology brings on a tidal wave of updated editions ofestablished titles, as well as entirely new attempts to communicate the latestinformation to readers.

Apress recently added several selections to the ASP.NETtitle list, including Beginning ASP.NET2.0 in C# 2005. At more than 1,100 pages, this book quite literally coversthe broad spectrum of the technology, just as the subtitle declares, from noviceto professional. Although I was initially skeptical of this claim, as well assomewhat jaded from all the other ASP.NET tutorial books I previously read, Iwas pleasantly surprised by both the clarity and depth that author Matthew MacDonaldprovides. Even though the book covers all the major aspects of ASP.NETdevelopment using the C# language which it does in a methodical, easy tofollow manner I rarely felt bogged down by wordy descriptions or dryexplanations.

The span of topics covered is extensive and exciting.MacDonald sets the tone with a brisk introduction to the .NET Framework,followed by a brief chapter on C# syntax. Because the book is not intended as aC# primer, readers unfamiliar with the language should work through a C#tutorial book first. Types, objects, and namespaces are explained in the thirdchapter, followed by a tour of the Visual Studio 2005 IDE.

Part 2 begins with a chapter on the fundamentals of Webforms via the construction of an HTML-based currency converter server control. Webcontrols are demonstrated with a simple greeting card applet, followed by achapter on tracing, logging, and error handling. Chapter 8, covering validationand rich controls, demonstrates simple client-side form validation usingregular expressions and validation groups. Rich controls, including theAdRotator, Calendar, and MultiView components, are also detailed. The chapteron state management using cookies, InProc, and SQL-based session tracking isfollowed by an introduction to ASP.NET 2.0 s master pages and themes features. Website navigation using site maps, as well as the SiteMapPath, TreeView, and Menucontrols, is explained next. The section concludes with a demonstration ofASP.NET 1.x and 2.x application deployment under IIS5 and IIS6, and also viathe Visual Studio Web site publishing wizard.

Part 3 begins with ADO.NET fundamentals, covering basicSQL syntax, the steps required to connect and interact with a data source, andinteracting with tables and records. Data binding is covered in Chapter 14, withreviews of single and repeat value data binding, using a dictionary collection,and so on. Next, data controls, such as the GridView templates, DetailsView,and FormView objects, are discussed. Files and streams are demonstrated via theconstruction of a sample Web server file browser application. A file uploadexample is also included. Chapter 17 on XML covers the basics via XmlTextWriterand XmlTextReader demonstrations of parsing, validating, transforming, and databinding XML documents.

Part 4 encompasses Web site security, and includeschapters on IIS security fundamentals, membership, and related ASP.NET controlsand profiles using SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.

Covering Web services, Part 5 introduces architecture anddesign, as well as creating and enhancing Web services with security andticket-based authentication approaches. A TerraService example demonstratesthese ideas in a Windows client application.

The final part of the book reviews advanced ASP.NETconcepts, such as component-based programming and creating custom controls. Pagecaching, profiling, and performance tuning remind readers of the importance ofresponsive, scalable applications. The book concludes with a chapter oncreating Web parts via a walkthrough of a Fahrenheit-Celsius temperatureconverter.

Each chapter concludes with The Last Word, a sectionsummarizing the main ideas discussed. This section also serves as a reminder tothe reader of the important ideas that should be understood before proceedingto the next chapter. Another good device used throughout the book are the Note,Tip, and Caution callouts that further help readers appreciate thesophistication and simplicity of ASP.NET 2.0 these callouts also help thereader avoid potential potholes along the way. Overall, the book accomplishesits goal, from novice to pro, in the leanest way possible.

Mike Riley

Rating:

Title: Beginning ASP.NET 2.0 in C# 2005: FromNovice to Professional

Author: MatthewMacDonald

Publisher: Apress

ISBN: 1-59059-572-6

Web Site: http://www.apress.com/book/bookDisplay.html?bID=10035

Price: US$49.99

Page Count: 1,184