Media Release

Mike Murach & Associates has just published a 3.5 edition of their best-selling ASP.NET book, now entitled Murach’s ASP.NET 3.5 Web Programming with C# 2008.

As its title implies, this book presents all of the best new ASP.NET 3.5 features as it teaches web programming. That includes the ListView and DataPager controls that allow for complex data handling; LINQ data sources for accessing data using C# constructs; new tools for working with cascading style sheets (CSS); and an introduction to ASP.NET AJAX that shows how it can improve the performance of web applications.

But beyond that, this book has several features that make it different from other ASP.NET 3.5 books.

#1: There’s a 7-chapter section on database programming

That’s two more chapters than in the previous edition because .NET continues to deliver powerful new tools for this critical component of business applications.

So this section still teaches the basics of database programming using SQL data sources and controls like GridView. But it also shows how to use the versatile new ListView control in conjunction with the new DataPager control. It shows how to use LINQ data sources, also new in 3.5, to access SQL Server data using the Object Relational Designer and the LinqDataSource control. And it has expanded material on how to use object data sources to create 3-layer applications with custom business and data access classes.

#2: It teaches development the way it should be done today, using Visual Studio

The 1.x edition of this book was one of the first to teach web development using Visual Studio instead of tools like Notepad. Today, no developer should miss out on the productivity features that Visual Studio offers. So they’re integrated throughout this book, rather than being relegated to just a chapter or two at the beginning.

#3: Complete applications show how all the pieces interact

The key to mastering web development is to have plenty of applications that show how the features you’re learning interact and what problems you might run into as you build a website. So this book shows complete applications, including the web forms, the aspx code, and the C# code. These can be downloaded for free from the Murach website, so developers can experiment with them on their own.

#4: 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.

Beginners find that this format breaks the material down into manageable bites. Experienced developers find that they can pick up on information that’s new or interesting just by paging through. And developers at any level find that they can easily pinpoint the details they need when they’re using the book as a reference.

Murach’s ASP.NET 3.5 Web Programming with C# 2008 is available directly from the publisher at www.murach.com and from all major retail outlets.

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Buy the book

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Media Release

Mike Murach and Associates has just published a 3.5 edition of their best-selling ASP.NET book, now entitled Murach's ASP.NET 3.5 Web Programming with VB 2008.

As its title implies, this book presents all of the best new .NET 3.5 features for web applications.  That includes the ListView and DataPager controls that allow for complex data handling. LINQ data sources for accessing data using VB constructs; new tools for working with cascading style sheets (CSS); and an introduction to ASP.NET AJAX that shows how it can improve the performance of web applications.

But beyond that, this book has several features that make it different from other ASP.NET 3.5 books.

#1: There's a 7-chapter section on database programming

That's two more chapters than in the previous edition because .NET continues to deliver new, powerful tools for this critical component of business applications.

So this section still teaches the basics of database programming using SQL data sources and controls like GridView.  But it also shows how to use the versatile new ListView control in conjunction with the new DataPager control.  It shows how to use LINQ data sources, also new in 3.5, to access SQL Server data using the Object Relational Designer and the LinqDataSource control.  And it has expanded material on how to use object data sources to create 3-layer applications with custom business and data access classes.

#2: It teaches development the way it should be done today, using Visual Studio

The 1.x edition of this book was one of the first to teach web development using Visual Studio instead of tools like Notepad. Today, no developer should miss out on the productivity features of Visual Studio. So they're integrated throughout this book, rather than being relegated to just a chapter or two at the beginning.

#3: Complete applications show how all the pieces interact

The key to mastering web development is to have plenty of applications that show how the features you're learning interact and what problems you might run into as you build a web site. So this book shows complete applications, including the web forms, the aspx code, and the VB code.  These can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site, so developers can experiment with them on their own.

#4: 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. Beginners find that this format breaks the material down into manageable bites.  Experienced developers find that they can pick up information that's new or interesting just by paging through. And developers at any level can easily pinpoint the details they need when they're using the book as a reference.

Murach's ASP.NET 3.5 Web Programming with VB 2008 is available directly from the publisher at www.murach.com and from all major retail outlets.

###

Editor's Note:

• See also: ASPNETWorld.com editorial review of the book
• Buy the book

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SQL Server 2008 Express is now live. Only the core database engine is available for download at this time.

The other two editions of SQL Server 2008 Express (i.e. SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools and SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services) will be released about a month later.

For more info, visit the following links at the SQL Server Express blog:

• SQL Server 2008 Express is now live!

• What's up with SQL Server 2008 Express editions

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Service Pack 1 for both Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 have been released.

VS 2008 SP1 Highlights:

• Improved performance and reliability
• Improved designers for building WPF applications
• Improved tools for building AJAX applications
• ADO.NET Entity Framework designer
• Richer JavaScript development environment
• Streamlined website deployment experience
• SQL Server 2008 support

.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Highlights:

• Bug fixes
• Increased WPF performance
• .NET Framework Client Profile
• Enhanced support for database application development (ADO.NET Entity Framework, ADO.NET Data Services and integration with SQL Server 2008
• Multiple enhancements to ASP.NET (such as ASP.NET Dynamic Data)

For a more detailed description of the improvements brought about by Service Pack 1, check out Somasegar's blog post and the MSDN page on the release.

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The public beta of Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 are now available here.

SP1 comes with a slew of enhancements and fixes covering various aspects of the VS 2008 IDE as well as the .NET Framework.

Among the highlights relevant to ASP.NET and web development in the upcoming SP1 release include:

• ASP.NET Data Scaffolding Support (ASP.NET Dynamic Data)
• ASP.NET Routing Engine (System.Web.Routing)
• ASP.NET AJAX Back/Forward Button History Support
• ASP.NET AJAX Script Combining Support
• VS 2008 Performance Improvements in HTML Designer and HTML Source Editor
• VS 2008 JavaScript Script Formatting and Code Preferences
• Better VS Javascript Intellisense for Multiple Javascript/AJAX Frameworks
• VS Refactoring Support for WCF Services in ASP.NET Projects
• VS Support for Classic ASP Intellisense and Debugging
• Visual Web Developer Express Edition support for Class Library and Web Application Projects
• ASP.NET Application Request Throughput Improvements of Up to 10%
• SQL 2008 Support in VS 2008
• ADO.NET Entity Framework and LINQ to Entities
• ADO.NET Data Services
• WCF Development Improvements
• VB and C# Improvements

Other enhancements not mentioned above cover primarily client development (Windows Forms, WPF, and Setup Package).  The SP1 releases are expected to be shipped this summer as free updates.

For a more detailed description of the new features in the release, check out Scott Guthrie's blog post or Somasegar's blog post.

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A refresh of the ASP.NET MVC source code in CodePlex has been published.  This source refresh is just an interim drop pending the release of the official "ASP.NET MVC Preview 3" in a few weeks time.

Check out Scott Guthrie's blog post for screenshot guides and more juicy information on the source refresh.

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An updated ASP.NET Dynamic Data Preview is now available. You can download it from:

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/dynamicdata

Highlights in this preview:

• Works with the standard built-in ASP.NET data controls (GridView, ListView, FormView, DetailsView, etc)
• Automatic UI validation support (both client-side and server-side)
• Dynamic data project wizard

Check out Scott Guthrie's blog post for more information on the preview.

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Mike Murach and Associates has just published a 2008 edition of their core C# book, "Murach's C# 2008." It's described in detail at the Murach web site:

http://www.murach.com/books/cs08/index.htm

It teaches how to develop Windows forms applications for business the way the best professionals do. To do that, it incorporates the features that have made earlier editions such popular choices among developers.

#1: It focuses on the essential skills that C# developers need every day

That may sound obvious. But too often, critical skills are glossed over or ignored in C# training.

So as this book teaches how to use Visual Studio 2008 and C# 2008 to create business applications, it covers the skills that developers need most on the job. That includes skills like how to validate input data, how to work with different data types, how to use arrays and collections, how to do structured exception handling, and how to read and write text, binary, and XML files.

#2: The OOP section deals with business objects, not cats and dogs

Many books explain object-oriented programming by using examples that are meant to be easily understood, like illustrating objects by creating animal classes such as mammals, cats, and dogs. However, the analogy breaks down as developers try to figure out how to apply it to business applications.

So this book presents business objects like customers, invoices, and products to show how OOP is applied in the real world. Likewise, it explains critical concepts like inheritance, polymorphism, and interfaces within the context of business applications so there's no confusion.

#3: There's a 4-chapter section on database programming

Because database handling is so critical in business applications, this book presents more coverage than is usual in introductory texts.

To begin, it teaches how to prototype database applications using rapid application development tools like the data sources feature, datasets, and bound controls. But beyond that, it shows developers how to start using ADO.NET to work directly with databases for more processing control than the RAD tools offer.

#4: It provides practical coverage of new features, especially
LINQ

LINQ is the big news in C# 2008. Using constructs that are built into the C# language, developers can now use the same language to access a variety of data sources from their applications, from databases to arrays to XML files. The introductory chapter on LINQ in this book gives you a practical overview that will prepare you for more in-depth LINQ training.

#5: Complete applications show how all the pieces interact

One key to mastering C# development is to have plenty of applications that show how the features you're learning interact and what problems you might run into as you work on your own. So this book shows complete Windows forms applications for everyday business functions. These can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site, along with coding starts for the practice exercises in the book.

#6: The paired-pages format lets developers set their own pace

Murach books have a distinctive format, where each two-page spread presents a single topic. 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 C# 2008" is available from all major retail outlets and directly from the publisher at the Murach web site:

http://www.murach.com

Note: The book is also available from ASPNETWorld.com Store

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