Introduction
A programming oriented book should not only examine the
concepts, but also try to discuss them with the help of a real world scenario. This
is what Anne Boehm has attempted in her latest book titled Murach's
ADO.NET 3.5, LINQ, and the Entity Framework with VB 2008. The book is an
updated version of the previous edition and it includes coverage of two new
concepts as well. The book is divided into four sections spanning 20 chapters
and one appendix.
Inside the Book
Section 1 provides a brief introduction to database
programming and ADO.NET 3.5. The chapters in section 2 examine the usage of
data sources, datasets including the usage of dataset designer. The author
demonstrates the steps involved in binding of controls such as textbox, combo
box, datagridview with databases in addition to the coverage of relevant coding
aspects associated with it. This section also discusses the concept of
parameterized queries in detail, which I hope will be useful for advanced
developers.
Section 2 deeply analyzes the core aspects of ADO.NET such
as connections, commands, data readers, parameters, stored procedures,
transactions and object data sources. It also includes a real world application
which examines each concept in a step-by-step manner with the help of
screenshots and complete source code. I would prefer to see a chapter which
examines the role of MySQL and Oracle databases in the development of ADO.NET
3.5 applications in the next edition of the book.
As mentioned previously, the book includes two new chapters
which examine the role and usage of LINQ and Entity Framework. While section 4
provides a brief introduction to LINQ along with a comprehensive coverage of
the usage of LINQ to Dataset, LINQ to SQL and LINQ to XML, section 5 provides a
detailed coverage of the creation of entity data model in addition to the usage
of LINQ to entities and the application of entity data source controls in an
ASP.NET application. The author also examines the usage of LINQ data source
controls with the help of an ASP.NET web application.
An interesting part of the book is that the author has
provided extensive analysis of each concept. Each section begins with an
explanation of the underlying topic followed by source code and its description
in bulleted format. The book will be useful for those developers who have time
to master the lengthy content. I feel that developers will not have sufficient
time to read the detailed content especially when they are on a hurry. I would
suggest the author shorten the lengthy descriptions in the next edition of the
book. Moreover, the author should provide a real-world project which
demonstrates the important concepts of ADO.NET 3.5 with the help of an ASP.NET
3.5 application.
I very much liked the layout of the book as each concept
starts with a brief introductory note followed by relevant screenshots/source
code and finishes with a detailed analysis in bulleted format. The author has
rightly employed this order in all chapters to provide a uniform look and feel.
The book also includes one appendix which provides detailed information
regarding the availability of source code file and the various software
requirements for getting the most from the material.
If you are looking for a book to master ADO.NET 3.5 in three
days then this book is not for you. The book will be useful for those
developers who would like to expand their knowledge of ADO.NET in a deeper
manner. Instructors can use the book as course material for imparting training
as it will help students learn the concepts with the help of real world
projects. The publisher distributes additional
materials such as PowerPoint slides for classroom presentation, Visual
Studio Solutions and Test Banks on a separate CD which is available for free of
cost upon request. You can also download sample
chapters and complete source code from the website of the publisher.
Conclusion
I must say that the book is indeed a comprehensive resource
for learning database programming in .NET as it examines each concept in detail
with the relevant screenshots and associated code snippets. Advanced developers
can also use the book as an additional reference material even though they will
not find any useful information on the book as they might have already gained
knowledge of the topics covered from other sources. But still, the book will be
valuable for developers in their quest towards mastering ADO.NET 3.5.
About the Reviewer
Anand Narayanaswamy (Microsoft MVP and Chief Technical
Editor, ASPAlliance.com) is the author of Community Server Quickly
and runs www.learnxpress.com.
About the Book
