The book begins with a basic introduction to ASP.NET 2.0 and
then explores the development of an ASP.NET web application. It then delves
deep into the aspects involved with Applications, State, Various WebForm Controls,
Navigation Controls (TreeView, Menu, and Wizards), Validation Controls and Groups,
Calendar, Ad Rotator, Login, Web Part and HTML Controls. The remaining chapters
explore the usage of Databases, Master Pages and Themes, User Profiles, Web
Part Framework, Caching, Application Globalization, Web Services, Development
of mobile applications, Application Tracking, Management of web applications,
Methods of extending and Securing ASP.NET 2.0 applications. The last two
chapters examine the development of Web Standards compliant ASP.NET Websites
and the future (now currently active) technologies such as Ajax.
A key feature of the book is that the authors have separated
the content and demo examples for each chapter. Each chapter begins with a
section In Depth which provides explanation of
each property, method associated with the discussed content with the help of
tables, and charts. This is followed by Immediate
Solution which provides hands-on examples. The authors have provided
complete source code in both VB and C# with relevant analysis and screenshots
for each solution. I found that the authors have not discussed advanced topics
such as Zipping and Unzipping files, Sending of E-mails with and without
attachments and the usage of User Controls. I feel that the authors should also
discuss the usage of MySQL databases in ASP.NET 2.0 web application as many
authors do not cover these types of topics in regular books.
The authors have provided key emphasis to the discussion of
WebForm controls shipped with .NET Framework 2.0. I would suggest the authors combine
chapters 9 and 14 since both of them deal with Web Parts. The book includes
five appendixes which examine the implementation of RSS and Atom feed,
migrating ASP.NET 1.1 to ASP.NET 2.0, Visual Basic and Visual C# IDE and common
classes in ASP.NET.
The final appendix showcases a complete project which
demonstrates the creation of a data oriented website using some of the core
features of ASP.NET 2.0 discussed on the book in a step-by-step manner. The
book ships with a CD which contains the source code of each chapter and also
that of the final project. I would suggest the publishers provide Visual Web
Developer and SQL Server 2005 Express versions on the CD so that readers can
install the required softwares instantly.
It is unfortunate that the original publisher, Paraglyph
Press (now part of O'Reilly) has discontinued the supply of the book. However,
as of the writing of this review, copies of the book are available from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. I also found from Google that the book
is available from other web sites as well.
