While Chapter 1 provides a basic introduction to WebMatrix
including the steps required to install the tool, Chapter 2 examines the working
of the tool with the help of various scenarios including the usage of Web
Application Gallery. The author demonstrates the installation procedure of DotNetBlogEngine,
which I hope will be useful for beginners.
In Chapter 3, you will learn the steps required to work with
server-side programming, creation of a page that uses server-side code and other
programming related aspects.
Chapters 4 & 5 examine the usage of Images and Videos in
WebMatrix. You will learn the steps required to create thumbnails and links,
working of WebImage helper to embed images to your webpages including the usage
of Video Helper and HTML5 <video> tag.
While Chapter 6 examines the usage of Forms, Form Controls
and the technique of capturing user input in forms, Chapter 7 enables you to
create a database with WebMatrix. You will also learn the steps to be followed
to query a database including adding, updating and modification of database
data. I would prefer to see a section which examines the development of applications
using Oracle and MySQL databases.
The author has examined the concepts in all the chapters
with the help of screenshots, source codes followed by step by step
explanation. You will learn how to share your site through various social
networking sites including twitter and Xbox Live in Chapter 8.
The next chapter enables you to send email messages by using
the WebMail helper with the help of a sample email application. Chapters 10 and
11 walk you through the development of different phases of building a simple
web application using styles, layout, templates and database.
Chapters 12 and 13 enable you to develop web applications
integrated with Facebook and PayPal using WebMatrix. The remaining chapters
delves deep into the creation of your own web helpers, site deployment and the
usage of WordPress including PHP code editing of sites powered with WordPress.
The book includes one appendix which covers the fundamental
concepts of programming such as Variables, Data Types and Programming
Constructs like if-else, switch-case, while and foreach loop. The complete
source code along with other companion files is available for download from O'Reilly website.
The author should also examine the steps to be followed to
resolve common error messages which occur during the development stage of an
ASP.NET application. Moreover, the book should include a chapter to discuss the
development of AJAX based applications with WebMatrix.
