PRObooks
Mastering Web Development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
Yet another Visual Studio 2005 book has been released for Microsoft s latest development environment, with this title clocking in at more than 800 pages of solid information. In Mastering Web Development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, prolific author John Paul Mueller has created a soup to nuts training manual that delves into nearly every aspect of what constitutes modern-day ASP.NET 2.0 development.
Mueller relies primarily on Visual Studio Web Developer (the version installed with VS2005 Standard or higher, not the one included in the Express edition), SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, and VB2005 syntax for its educational purposes. Mueller also makes the assumption that readers are already comfortable with HTML, JavaScript, SQL, VB, and XML syntax. This makes the large book size even more impressive, considering its exclusive focus on ASP.NET 2.0 behaviors and best practices.
Part 1 starts off with the installation, configuration of, and acclimatization with the Visual Web Developer environment. A simple You clicked me button application, followed by examples of event log and performance counter samples close this section. Part 2 introduces readers to ASP.NET 2.0 s Master Pages and Themes, server-side behaviors such as detecting client configuration, form construction, XML transformations, Web controls, and the concept of Web parts. Part 3 details the creation of user feedback forms and help request forms, XSLT-rendered SOAP call site search pages, and even creating the dreaded pop-up forms and page redirects. Part 4 presents a good overview of SQL Server 2005, from designing databases, diagrams, and stored procedures to demonstrating its XML support. Reports generated using Crystal Reports, followed by a chapter on multi-tier application development for multi-browser, multi-device support closes out this part of the book.
Part 5 shows how to liven up client presentations with DHTML, media, and client-side controls. Unfortunately, the word AJAX is mentioned only once in a call-out box urging developers to seek more information about this over-hyped (in my opinion) technology. Part 6 reviews the debugging features available in the Visual Web Developer 2005 environment, as well as practical chapters on security, application optimization, downloadable apps, and authoring accessible pages. The last part of the book is dedicated to corporate developers seeking Java/.NET interoperability, leveraging the team features in Visual Studio Team System, and upsizing ASP.NET 1.1 to the 2.0 platform. Rounding out this hefty title are three appendixes on common development errors, character codes, and tips and techniques, as well as a glossary of terms with URL references to other sites to help the reader understand any technical word in the book.
By working through this book, readers will have developed an ABC Incorporated Web site that incorporates most of the ideas discussed in the seven parts. In addition to the straight informational aspects, the author frequently interjects gray box call-outs that provide fine orientation, history, or deeper explanation on a topic or technique. I especially applaud the author for summarizing each chapter with an encouraging section called Defining Your Development Goals. These brief concluding paragraphs prompt readers to go further with their own explorations based on the knowledge imparted in the respective chapter.
All in all, I was very pleased with the technical competence and amount of information bound into this title, and recommend it to any VB-centric ASP.NET 2.0 developer.
Mike Riley
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Title: Mastering Web Development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
Author: John Paul Mueller
Publisher: Sybex, Inc.
ISBN: 0-7821-4439-X
Price: US$49.99
Page Count: 822
