This is a short review because about 85% of the book is code samples.
ASP.NET
2.0 Cookbook is divided into 21 chapters, covering topics ranging from
Master Pages, error handling and web parts. The major improvements in
ASP.NET 2.0 are in here, including examples of the GridView control, profiles
and themes. Every example includes a brief description of the problem
to be solved, an overview of the solution, and some deeper discussion about the
solution. In all, there are 125 solutions presented in 980 pages, so you
can see there is ample coverage of every solution. As you progress
through the chapter, each example builds on the skills and knowledge
developed in the previous example, but is a complete example unto itself.
Additionally, every example is presented in both VB.NET and C#. Not only
is this good for cut and paste purposes, but it’s a good way to practice the
language you don’t use primarily. Speaking of cut-and-paste, there is a
45-day trial to the Safari Bookshelf, which will allow you to search all sorts
of books, and cut and paste from the code examples.
I’ve obviously not used every example in the book, but he ones I have used
have been useful, complete and informative. Examples are written as inline
code, so examples will work with Visual Web Developer Express, as well as Visual
Studio 2005. If you want to use the code-behind or code-beside models,
you’ll have to do a little translation on your own. The code samples and
sample database are available for download from thre author’s website, for
easier use in your projects.
I don’t recommend this as your “introduction to ASP.NET 2.0 book”; this book
is meant mainly for developers who have been through the basics and have some
familiarity with Visual Studio or Visual Web Dev Express. If you’re
familiar with ASP.NET 1.1, and want a way to get up to speed with some major
improvements in ASP.NET 2.0, I think you’ll find this is a good book to get you
there.
