Review of ASP.NET for Dummies (Paperback)

In its 420 printed pages, ASP.NET for Dummies covers the key topics to get you up and running with ASP.NET. You learn the basics of obtaining and displaying information on your sites. You learn how to use built-in functions such as date routines, math routines, and browser routines. You even learn how to work with data and databases on the server. This includes coverage of Active Data Objects (ADO) - a key way of doing database access. Building ASP.NET Web forms is covered in detail along with using server side controls ranging from radio buttons to drop down lists. Programming topics such as arrays, array lists, and hash tables are also explained as well as shown in examples.

While ASP.NET for Dummies is "for Dummies," you should already be familiar with programming concepts. As with most Active Server Page-related books, ASP.NET for Dummies uses Visual Basic .NET as its choice of programming languages. If you don't know Visual Basic .NET, don't fret. The book spends several chapters teaching the basics of what you need to know in order to program for ASP.NET. If you have never programmed before, you will most likely find that this moves too fast. However, if you know a scripting language such as JavaScript or VBScript you should have no trouble keeping up with the coverage of Visual Basic .NET in this book.

It is worth pointing out that this book doesn't stop at just covering the creation of ASP.NET pages, but it also covers creating full-fledge ASP.NET applications. The book presents a couple of ASP.NET applications that are larger and more practical than standard book examples. Within the text of the book a chat room and a classified application are both included. On the CD there is also a guest book application. Code for all three applications is on the CD.

The CD with this book is worth noting. Most ASP.NET books don't include a CD, let alone a CD with lots of useful stuff. This CD has five bonus chapters containing over a hundred additional pages. It also contains the author's source code so you don't have to hunt it down on the Web. A number of third party software products are also included. Some of these you may not find useful. Others such as the editors you may find extremely valuable.

Will ASP.NET for Dummies make you an expert ASP.NET developer? The answer is no, it won't make you an expert, however, no beginning level ASP.NET book will. What ASP.NET for Dummies will do is get you up and running with the foundational topics necessary for creating real-world ASP.NET pages. Once you are done with this book, you'll be able to create a wide variety of ASP.NET pages. If you are going to create professional-level pages, you will want to follow this book up with an intermediate advanced book.

In summary, if you have a little programming background, then you should be ready for ASP.NET. If you want a book that teaches you the basics of implementing ASP.NET in a relatively straightforward manner, then ASP.NET for Dummies accomplishes the task. With a price of only (...) including a CD containing valuable content, I have to give this book five stars. It is definitely worth the cost. In fact, I would say this book is under-priced (...) --which seems unusual for a computer book these days! If you can get a copy of this book at a discount, then this book is a steal!

One final note, a number of excellent ASP sites are not mentioned in the book. This includesASP101.com. 15seconds.com, 4GuysFromRolla.com, ASPWire.com and more.

Product Description
Ah, the wide world of the Web. You just can't do business without a Web site, and the more compelling and interactive it is, the better. In a competitive environment, keeping your Web site fresh and exciting can have a real effect on your bottom line.

If you're a corporate Web site developer or a small business owner responsible for maintaining your own site, ASP.NET is the technology that can give you that competitive edge. It's easy to use and works with other familiar languages, like Visual Basic and HTML, to help you set up cool interactive Web pages. With ASP.NET, you can

• Add a survey or calculator to your Web site
• Enable data retrieval
• Create a monthly calendar
• Send e-mail from your site
• Set up a real-time chat room, and more

If you're familiar with earlier incarnations, ASP.NET For Dummies is a great way to get up to speed on the changes and enhancements in the .NET version.

ASP.NET For Dummies gets you going in a hurry. Instead of having to wade through pages of theory before you can actually play with the technology, you get to jump in and create your first ASP.NET page in the very first chapter! Find out how to

• Understand ASP.NET and Visual Basic .NET terms and languages
• Create cool elements with ASP.NET's built-in objects
• Discover ways to let Web site users enter information and get responses
• Validate user input
• Use the .NET Framework Class Library to teach your applications new tricks
• Enable users to access information from a database and keep the information up to date
• Combine ASP.NET with other technologies to create more exciting Web applications

There's even a bonus CD-ROM packed with information for Classic ASP veterans, two great bonus applications, and a sample database. If you're a newcomer, you'll find plenty of background to get you up to speed. If you're an experienced programmer, go right to the new stuff and sample applications. Either way, ASP.NET For Dummies will help you make your Web site a sight to behold.

From the Back Cover
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ASP.NET examples, tools, and more on CD-ROM

Create complete ASP.NET applications: Cafe Chat Room and Classy Classifieds

Harness next-generation ASP.NET features to create dynamic Web applications Whether you're a Web development newcomer or a Classic ASP veteran, this friendly guide is just what you need to tap the power of the totally revamped ASP.NET. From Visual Basic.NET fundamentals and object-oriented techniques to using Web Forms to create interactive pages and harnessing ADO.NET to retrieve information and update databases, it's just what you need to take your pages to the next level.

all this on the bonus CD-ROM Complete source code for Cafe Chat Room, Classy Classifieds, Guestbook, and many more examples Eiffellanguage plug-in for ASP.NET Controls and Components: Sax Basic Engine ASP.NET Editors: ASPEdit 2001, Helios TextPad, and Antechinus C# Editor System requirements: PC running an ASP.NET hosting service or Internet Information Server on Windows.NET/XP/2000/NT 4.0. See the About the CD appendix for details and complete system requirements.

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