Are you writing database-centric .NET applications using SQL Server 2005?  Take a look at Murach's latest offering (see below):

Media Release:

Mike Murach and Associates has just published a 2005 edition of their bestselling SQL book, now entitled Murach’s SQL Server 2005 for Developers. It teaches how to create SQL queries and take advantage of powerful DBMS features (like cursors, views, and stored procedures) the way the best professionals do.

This includes coverage of new or enhanced 2005 features, like SQL statements for XML data handling and error processing, new data types, the Management Studio, the CLR (Common Language Runtime) integration feature that allows database objects to be created in .NET languages like C# and Visual Basic, and more. But beyond that, this book has several features that make it different from other SQL books.

#1: It’s written for application developers
Most SQL books are written for database administrators (DBAs) so developers pass them by, not realizing all there is to gain by knowing SQL better. But this book shows application developers the power that’s available to them through SQL so they can create business applications that handle database data more effectively.

#2: It starts off with how to query a database, not how to design one
Many SQL books start off with database design and performance. But if you’re an application developer, the first thing you need to know is how to write queries. So that’s the focus of the first 8 chapters in this book. It starts with simple queries, then moves on to complex inner and outer joins, summary queries, and subqueries that do more of the database processing for you so that your applications can do less.

At that point, this book shows how to create and implement a database. This material is helpful for developers who have to set up small systems on their own. And it provides a solid introduction to DBA skills for those interested in that career path.

#3: It teaches both SQL coding and how to use the Management Studio
The Management Studio, new in SQL Server 2005, provides a powerful IDE for querying, designing, and manipulating SQL Server databases. But of course, under the surface, the SQL statements are at work.

So instead of focusing solely on using the Management Studio…or on using SQL statements…this book teaches both. By understanding the underlying SQL statements, developers can use the Management Studio more easily and efficiently.

#4: Coding examples show how to take advantage of advanced features, as well as how to create queries
One key to mastering SQL is to have plenty of coding examples that show how the features work and what problems may occur as they’re used in everyday applications. And these examples become more crucial as the code becomes more complex.

So besides showing sample code for all types of queries, this book also provides code for database maintenance jobs, for using backend features like cursors and stored procedures, and for coding C# projects that create database objects using CLR integration. This code…as well as the VB code for the CLR projects…can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site.

#5: The paired-pages format lets developers set their own pace
Murach books have a distinctive format. Each two-page spread presents a single topic: the lefthand page explains the topic, while the righthand page shows the critical details, using syntax, code, screen shots, and how-to notes. Both beginning and experienced developers find that this format makes it easy to focus on the information they need, whether they’re using the book for training or reference.

Murach’s SQL Server 2005 for Developers is available directly from the publisher at www.murach.com and from all major retail outlets.

Note: You may also get the book here.

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The long-awaited Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) has been released.  Apart from performance enhancements and bug-fixes, the release also includes the following additions:

• New processor support (e.g., Core Duo) for code generation and profiling
• Performance and scale improvements in Team Foundation Server
• Team Foundation Server integration with Excel 2007 and Project 2007
• Tool support for occasionally connected devices and SQL Server Compact Edition
• Additional support for project file based Web applications
• Windows Embedded 6.0 platform and tools support

Scott Guthrie offers some tips on installing the Service Pack in his blog post.

Visual Studio 2005 SP1 (which weighs in at slightly over 400MB) includes updates for Standard, Professional, and Team Editions of Visual Studio 2005.  There's also a separate SP1 release for the Visual Studio 2005 Express edition.

Windows Vista users can look forward to a Vista-specific Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Update "soon".

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Last week, Microsoft released ASP.NET AJAX Beta 2.  Apart from bug-fixes, the new features in ASP.NET AJAX Beta 2 include:

• UpdateProgress Control Enhancement
• Partial Rendering Auto-Degrade for Non-AJAX Browsers
• Simplified Client-side Event Binding API
• Client-side JavaScript Localization
• Client-side CSS Helpers
• Drag/Drop Support for ASP.NET Web Parts in Safari and FireFox
• Performance and Stability Improvements

Scott Gu has a nice post on this release.

To learn more about or download ASP.NET AJAX Beta 2, visit http://ajax.asp.net

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From the Site Editor:

The code that powers the ASPNETWorld.com main site has been migrated to ASP.NET 2.0. This dasBlog-powered blog also now runs on .NET 2.0 with the code untouched (except for the web.config file).  Should you encounter any issues with the site or the blog, please ping me here.  Thanks!

- Jason

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If you are a beginner wanting to set up a website or an ASP.NET developer with a grasp of VB.NET who want a deeper understanding of how to work with DotNetNuke, you might want to get this book when it is released: Building Websites with VB.NET and DotNetNuke 4 by Daniel N. Egan, Michael Washington, and Steve Valenzula.

Book description from publisher's site:

"Revised and updated for DotNetNuke 4, this renowned book is your indispensable guide to creating content-rich websites with DotNetNuke, as quickly as possible. This is the only book to provide in-depth coverage of the DAL+, an extended feature set of the DotNetNuke Data Access Layer (DAL) introduced in version 4.3 of DotNetNuke that makes developing custom modules fast and easy."

What's in this book:

• Install and configure DotNetNuke
• Master the standard modules
• Understand the core architecture of DotNetNuke
• Explore the inner workings of DotNetNuke modules
• Extend DotNetNuke using the DAL and DAL+ to create powerful custom modules
• Create your own skin using a HTML Editor
• Find out about where and how to host and deploy your site

For book details, check out the following link: http://www.packtpub.com/DNN4/book

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The September Atlas Control Tookit has been released late last week. This release features the following new controls:

• Animation: Adds powerful, easy to use animations to any element or control
• NoBot: Applies simple rules to prevent automated bots or scripts from posting to a page
• Slider: Adds an elegant scrollbar-like user interface for setting numeric values
• UpdatePanelAnimation: Animates page elements corresponding to hidden postback activity

Check out the Atlas Control Toolkit website for walkthroughs and cool online demos.

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If you're an ASP.NET 2.0 developer who work with Microsoft Content Management Server, you might want to get hold of this book: Enhancing Microsoft Content Management Server with ASP.NET 2.0 by Lim Mei Ying, Stefan Goßner, and Spencer Harbar.

What you'll get out of this book:

• Install and configure MCMS Service Pack 2
• Become familiar with the MCMS Service Pack 2 development environment
• Master ASP.NET master pages and make them master templates
• Integrate ASP.NET site navigation controls into your MCMS site
• Customize the look and feel of your MCMS site with ASP.NET themes
• Apply the ASP.NET membership provider model to enhance MCMS authentication
• Tips and Tricks to get ASP.NET and MCMS living together in peace

For book details or sample chapter, check out the following links:

Publisher's book link : http://www.packtpub.com/asp_mcms/book

Sample chapter link : http://www.packtpub.com/files/SampleChapter_asp.net2.0.pdf

(Update 9/24/2006) Full editorial review: http://www.aspnetworld.com/articles/2006092401.aspx

Get the book here.

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Media release:

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