Incomplete, but still a mine of useful techniques, 21 May 2002

This title takes a different approach, laying out an effective resolution to tasks many dynamic sites need to fulfill. Things like a very powerful user access system, a decent news management system etc. are analysed, designed and implemented, and with customisation can easily form the basis of a robust site.

The code listings are incomplete, but most of the fundamental points are looked at and listed in the book. The full site code is available for download; you will certainly need it, and need to root through it yourself.

I wouldn't recommend this book (alone) for a beginner to the technology; and be aware that all of the code is written in C#. It's also aimed at users of VS.NET, but that's not essential - I've happily followed the code using Notepad. It shows how a site should be analysed and designed, something many developers seem to underplay, and gives a good example of a "core" site which can easily be expanded upon. I found myself wishing I'd had it several months ago; I've struggled through things like a decent role-based security model, and found the one in this book is ideal for my needs.

Overall, an excellent resource if you're prepared to discover some things for yourself, whether from other titles or the companion code.

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This book saved my bacon!, 20 Nov 2003

Here's why:

1. I was at a loss as to how the whole n-tier / MSDNA model worked. This book put me straight.

2. I had little idea on how to access database information through stored procedures rather than inline SQL. Again, this book delivered the answers.

3. I had no idea of the importance of modularising and building code into sets of related class libraries. This book led me to realise the importance.

4. I had no idea how useful user controls could be. This book showed me how useful they can be!

I don't want to sound too dramatic here, but I can't begin to explain the value of this book to me. It really took me from being Mr basic web developer to an intermediate level in a very short time. A side from what I've already mentioned above, this book covers a broad range of what .NET has to offer. Here's a list of just some of what you'll find out how to do in this book:

- Give your solutions a unique SNK (a means of protecting your assembled code)

- Transform XML with XSLT

- Get to grips with the basics of the Datagrid control

- Learn to use .Config files to configure the various parts of a website

- Learn to 'snap-in' to the .NET security framework creating an excellent user authentication / authorisation solution

- Create modules for news management, user accounts and site maintenance (to name but a few...)

- Build a web service

I really do hold this book in a very high regard. HOWEVER, be weary of buying it if....

- You don't have a basic understanding of .NET and how it works
- You don't have at least a basic understanding of SQL and SQL Server
- You don't have a basic understanding of IIS and web development in general
- You don't understand the concept of Web Services
- You aren't very familiar with at least one programming language - preferably C#
- You DON'T have a FULL VERSION of Visual Studio.NET (By this I mean you must have the ability to create class libraries and user controls) Oh, and of course you must have SQL Server, too!

Otherwise, go for it! If you want to get into .NET web programming, then this is THE BOOK for you! And the excellent thing about this book is it gets you up to speed with a lot of advanced SQL stuff. So if you've only got a basic understanding now, you'll have a pretty good understanding of the power of SQL and SQLS once you're done with this book.

And yes, be warned that a lot of the code is incomplete. But type out as much of it as is available in the book and download the rest!

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Modular approach to Web site programming, 22 Jan 2003

The modular approach taken to building the Web site is imaginative and very useful. The overall solution comprises 20 separate projects. What you end up with is a series of modules which, with minor amendments, you can bolt on to any Web site to deal with user accounts, remote file management, news management, etc.

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