Comprehensive, in-depth, and practical, this Professional guide to ASRNET development will enable you to fully master the power and possibilities of web application development with the .NET Framework.
What you will learn from this book
Getting started with ASRNET and the .NET Framework
Creating ASRNET pages, working with server controls, and data management
Developing, securing, and configuring web applications
Base class libraries, components, and extensibility
Web Services and ASRNET in the mobile arena
Debugging, performance, migration, and interoperability
Integrating this knowledge in real world development contexts
What you need to know
This book is for people that:
Have a solid understanding of ASP
Are familiar with VB or C-based syntax (C+ +, Java, or C#)
Want to develop sophisticated ASRNET applications using the .NET Framework
Want a comprehensive and in-depth guide to this exciting new technology
Those of us who are Microsoft developers can't help but notice that .NET has received a fair amount of visibility over the last year or so. This is quite surprising considering that for most of this period, .NET has been in its early infancy and beta versions. I can't remember any unreleased product that has caused this much interest among developers. And that's really an important point, because ignoring all the hype and press, .NET really is a product for developers, providing a great foundation for building all types of applications.
Active Server Pages (ASP) has been the leading web development tool from Microsoft, even though it is still a relatively young product. Its success is due to its ease of use and flexibility, providing a simple way to create dynamic web sites. This success though hasn't come without problems, many of them simply because ASP has outgrown its feature set. It was designed to work with the underlying architecture of COM, which in itself has limiting features.
ASP.NET is part of the whole .NET framework, built on top of the Common Language Runtime (also known as the CLR) - a rich and flexible architecture, designed not just to cater for the needs of developers today, but to allow for the long future we have ahead of us. What you might not realize is that, unlike previous updates of ASP, ASP.NET is very much more than just an upgrade of existing technology - it is the gateway to a whole new era of web development. This book will open the door to that gateway.
With this Special Edition, you have free access for one year to the online version of this book on Wroxbase; Wrox's new online library of books. To find out more about Wroxbase, and to activate your account, go to http://wroxbase.com.
A New Kind of ASP
What does 'A New Kind of ASP' mean for the developer? After all, many products are released as a 'major breakthrough', or 'revolutionary', but are in fact just point upgrades. ASP.NET isn't like that, and has been written from the ground up to provide a rich and flexible environment for developing Internet applications. Not only does it provide a host of new features, but it also changes the whole way in which you need to think about designing web-based applications.
Most of these changes come about because the architecture of ASP.NET is now much moremodularized and based on the principles of components. Every page becomes a programmatically accessible, fully compiled object, and takes advantage of techniques like object-oriented design, just-in-time compilation, and dynamic caching. At the same time, the backward-compatible nature of ASP.NETmeans that existing pages and applications are still processed in the old way, so there is no sudden migration needed.
One of the major goals of ASP.NET is a huge improvement in the way that applications can be installed, configured, and updated. Components no longer have to be registered on the web server, and a whole application can be moved from one server to another just by using file copy commands, FTP, or specialized applications like the FrontPage Server Extensions.
What does this Book Cover?
In this book, we attempt to explain just what ASP.NET is all about, how you can use it, and what you can use it for. We start in Chapter 1 with a look at ASP.NET, explaining quickly the concepts and providing a layout to the rest of the book. The aim is to get you up and running with some sample pages as quickly as possible.
In Chapter 2, we move onto the .NET framework, examining the architecture that underpins the whole of .NET. Here, we talk about the Common Language Rnntime (CLR), explaining why it is used and what benefits it brings. We also discuss the design goals of ASP.NET and show how they provide us with a great architecture for development.
Chapter 3 examines the .NET languages in detail, looking at the object-oriented architecture, and discusses the changes to Visual Basic andJScript, as well as the new language C#. We also discuss the benefits of the CLR with respect to these languages, and how it has freed the developer from the language wars of the past.
Chapter 4 is where we start to look at ASP.NET in detail, examining how ASP.NET pages are constructec[. We take a look at a simple ASP page and show how this can be converted to ASP.NET, taking a look at how much cleaner and simpler the new page is. We look at how the code is managed within the new ASP.NET page, and how the new event model is much more reminiscent of Visual Basic than ASP.
Chapters 5, 6 and 7 examine the ASP.NET server controls in detail, starting with what these controls are and how they work. The discussion continues with the validation controls, which provide a declarative way of validating user input, before moving on to web form controls and list controls, which provide rich content management, and finally finishing up with data binding, showing how controls can automatically display data from data sources.
In Chapter 8, we start the discussion of data management in ASP.NET, looking at ADO.NET and its design goals and architecture. Moving into Chapter 9, we look at relational data, and how to manipulate data from databases, a topic continued in Chapter 10 when we look at how to update data in those databases. The data discussion continues into Chapter 11, where we examine the use of XML within .NET, and how the XML objects provide a rich way of manipulating XML data.
Chapter 12 takes us to web applications where we look at what this term actua$1y means, and how applications are managed. We include topics such as state management, the al~plication event architecture, and extending the application architecture.
Once applications have been written, they need to be deployed, and this is explained in Chapter 13, along with configuration. We look at the XML configuration file, examining its options in detail, and look at how ASP.NET can be extended.
Chapter 14 covers writing secure ASP.NET applications, and looks at Windows 2000 and lis security, and how ASP.NET can integrate into it. We look at both declarative and programmatic security issues, covering such topics as forms-based and Passport authentication.
Chapters 15 and 16 tackle the base class libraries, starting with a detailed look at collections and lists,continuing with file system objects, streams, network classes, and regular expressions. The base classes provide a huge array of functionality that can be used out of the box, and allow developers to implement sites with far less coding than was possible in ASP.
With the DNA architecture, the use of middle-tiers as a place for business components became commonplace. With .NET, the architecture has simplified and Chapter 17 tackles business objects and the use of transactional pages. We look at the advantages of the new architecture and how applications should be designed to make the most of the new component model.
Chapter 18 deals with the topic of extensibility, examining server controls and how they can be easily written. It looks at the simple coding techniques used to create these controls, and how once written they can live alongside the supplied server controls.
In Chapters 19 and 20, we look at Web Services in detail. While this topic isn't specifically dedicated to ASP.NET, it is a major shift in the way applications are designed and written. Converting ex isting functionality to Web Services is extremely simple, and there is a huge amount of power that can be achieved using Web Services to provide and use the business-to-business model.
Chapter 21 deals with pervasive devices, or those that seem to be everywhere - phones, PDAs, and other such devices. The use of web sites is not just limited to computers with large screens, and the use of smaller devices is only going to increase in the future. In this chapter, we examine the Mobile Internet Toolkit, and how it can be used to easily produce sites accessible by small devices.
Chapter 22 deals with two important topics, debugging and error handling. Some of the new features are down to ASP.NET, while others are part of the underlying framework, and wherever they come from, these features are a great boon to developers. They provide simple and flexible ways of de bugging and handling errors.
Chapter 23 discusses the topic of migration and interoperability. There is a large amount of existing ASP code in the world, and it is important that we examine how (if at all) existing applications can be migrated to the-new framework. We also examine the topic of interoperating with existing COM components, to allow the gradual migration of middle-tier layers.
Finally, in Chapter 24, we look at a case study that encapsulates many of the techniques shown throughout the book. It is a sample e-commerce site, showing use of data access, server controls, class libraries, and so on.
Who is this Book for?
This book is aimed at experienced developers who have some experience of ASP or Visual Basic. It is not aimed at beginners and does not cover general programming techniques or the basics of programming languages.
Our aim is to cover conceptual overviews of the product, including some of the background theory and explanation of why the product has developed along the lines it has. This is followed by deeper investigation of the features that developers will use first. We show how to take advantage of the new features quickly and with the minimum of fuss.
Providing that you have used ASP before, and are reasonably comfortable with the concepts, you should be able to use this book without requiring any other reference material (other than the SDK Documentation and Help files provided with the product). You should also be comfortable with the general principles of using components, and the Visual Basic and VBScript languages. Some of the samples are written in other languages, such asJScript and Cf (a new language) that are supported by the CLR, but you don't need to be fluent in these languages to be able to use this book.
What you Need to use this Book
To run the samples in this book, you will need to have the following:
Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
ASP.NET, which can be either the redistributable (included in the .NET SDK) or Visual Studio .NET.
The complete source code for the samples is available for download from our web site at http://www.wrox.com/Books/Book_Details.asp?isbn=1861007035. There are versions available in both Visual Basic .NET and Cf.
Style Conventions
We have used a number of different styles of text and layout in this book to help differentiate between the different kinds of information. Here are examples of the styles we used and an explanation of what they mean.
Code has several fonts. If it is a word that we are talking about in the text - for example, when discussing a For...Next loop - it is in this font. Ifit is a block of code that can be typed as a program and run, then it is in a gray box:
Sometimes we will see code in a mixture of styles, like this:
Widget
S10.0 0
In cases like this, the code with a white background is code that we are already familiar with. The line highlighted in gray is a new addition to the code since we last looked at it.
Advice, hints, and background information comes in this type of font.
Important pieces of information come in boxes like this.
Bullets appear indented, with each new bullet marked as follows:
Important Words are in a bold type font.
Words that appear on the screen, or in menus like the File or Window, are in a similar font tothe one you would see on a Windows desktop.
Keys that you press on the keyboard like Ctrl and Enter are in italics.
Commands that you might need to type in on the command line are shown with a > for the prompt, and the input in bold, like this:
> something to tYPe on the command line
Customer Support and Feedback
We always value hearing from our readers, and we want to know what you think about this book; what you liked, what you didn't like, and what you think we can do better next time. You can send us your comments, either by returning the reply card in the back of the book, or by e-mail to feedback@wrox.com. Please be sure to mention the book ISBN and the title in your message.
Source Code and Updates
As we work through the examples in this book, you may decide that you prefer to type in all the code by hand. Many readers prefer this because it is a good way to get familiar with the coding techniques that are being used.
Whether you want to type the code in or not, we have made all the source code for this book available at the Wrox.com web site.
When you log on to the Wrox.com site at http://www.wrox.com/, simply locate the title through our Search facility or by using one of the title lists. Now click on the Download Code link on the book's detail page and you can obtain all the source code.
The files that are avai]able for download from our site have been archived using WinZip. When you have saved the attachments to a folder on your hard drive, you need to extract the files using a decompression program such as WinZip or PKUnzip. When you extract the files, the code is usuallyextracted into chapter folders. When you start the extraction process, ensure your software (WinZip, PKUnzip, and so on) has Use folder names under Extract to: (or the equivalent) checked.
Even if you like to type in the code, you can use our source files to check the results you should be getting - they should be your first stop if you think you might have typed in an error. If you don't like typing, then downloading the source code from our web site is a must!
Either way, it'll help you with updates and debugging.
Errata
We have made every effort to make sure that there are no errors in the text or in the code. However, no one is perfect and mistakes do occur. If you find an error in this book, like a spelling mistake or a faulty piece of code, we would be very grateful for feedback. By sending in errata, you may save another reader hours of frustration, and of course, you will be helping us provide even higher quality information. Simply e-mail the information to support@ wrox.com, your information will be checked and if correct, posted to the errata page for that title, or used in subsequent editions of the book.
To find errata on the web site, log on to http://www.wrox.com/, and simply locate the title through our Search facility or title list. Then, on the book details page, click on the Book Errata link. On this page you will be able to view all the errata that has been submitted and checked through by editorial. You will also be aNle to click the submit errata link to notify us of any errata that you may have found.
Technical Support
If you wish to directly query a problem in the book with an expert who knows it in detail then e-mail support@wrox.com with the title of the book and the last four numbers of the ISBN in the subject field.
A typical e-mail should include the following things:
The name, last four digits of the ISBN, and page number of the problem in the Subject field.
Your name, contact information, and the problem in the body of the message.
We won't send you junk mail. We need the details to save your time and ours. When you send an e-mail message, it will go through the following chain of support:
Customer Support - Your message is delivered to one of our customer support staff, who are the first people to read it. They have files on most frequently asked questions and will answer anything general about the book or the web site immediately.
Editorial - Deeper queries are forwarded to the technical editor respohsible for that book. They have experience with the programming language or particular p{-oduct, and are able to answer detailed technical questions on the subject. Once an issue has been resolved, the editor can post the errata to the web site.
The Authors - Finally, in the unlikely event that the editor cannot answer your problem, he or she will forward the request to the author. We do try to protect the author from any distractions to their writing, however, we are quite happy to forward specific requests to them. All Wrox authors help with the support on their books. They will mail the customer and the editor with their response, and again all readers should benefit.
The Wrox support process can only offer support to issues that are directly pertinent to the content of our published title. Support for questions that fall outside the scope of normal book support is provided via the community lists of our http://p2p.wrox.com/forum.
p2p.wrox.com
For author and peer discussion join, the P2P mailing lists. Our unique system provides programmer to programmerTM contact on mailing lists, forums, and newsgroups, all in addition to our one-to-one e-mail support system. Be confident that your query is being examined by the many Wrox authors, and other industry experts, who are present on our mailing lists. At p2p.wrox.com you will find a number of different lists that will help you, not only while you read this book, but also as you develop your own applications.
To subscribe to a mailing list just follow this these steps:
1. Go to http://p2p.wrox.com/.
2. Choose the appropriate category from the left menu bar.
3. Click on the mailing list you wish to join.
4, Follow the instructions to subscribe and fill in your e-mail address and password.
5. Reply to the confirmation e-mail you receive.
6. Use the subscription manager to join more lists and set your mail preferences.
ASPToday
ASPToday, found at http://www.asptoday.com, is a daily knowledge site for professional programmers, delivering a new, original, free article written by ASP programmers, for ASP programmers, every working day.
The full subscription service gives you additional opportunity to expand your knowledge of ASP ahd ASP.NET, via access to extra resources available through subscription. These include:
Tips and tricks for professionals
In-depth and code-heavy case studies
Our collection of past ASPToday articles, the 'ASP Living Book'
A fully-searchable index and advanced search engine
Sneak previews of future articles
Discounts on Wrox products and services
Wroxbase
From March 2002, libraries of selected Wrox books will be available online at Wroxbase.com, based on technologies that you use everyday. The initial set of libraries will be focused on Microsoft-related technologies. You will be able to subscribe to as few or as many libraries as you require, and access all books within those libraries as and when you need to. You can add notes (either just for yourself or for anyone to view) and your own bookmarks that will all be stored within your account online, and so will be accessible from any computer.
With this Special Edition, you may register for 12 months free access to Professional ASP.NET 1.0. To find out more about Wroxbase, and to register for your free access to this book, go to http://www/wroxbase.com, and follow the instructions.
Acknowledgements
While we depend on the software manufacturers to help us out with technical support and information for almost all the books we write, we must acknowledge the special situation within which this book was produced. Wrox have been at the forefront of ASP publishing since the first beginnings of this technology, and we are grateful for the regular support we receive from the developers and product managers at Microsoft.
The authors started working with the ASP.NET team during the writing of the Preview to Active Server Pages + book, and this relationship has continued through the writing of the original Professional
ASP.NET book (based on Beta technology), and the rewriting of this edition. This book certainly wouldn't have been as good as it is without the generous assistance of so many of the developers. We'd like to thank everyone who answered questions, provided assistance with samples, reviewed chapters, and generally helped out, notably the ASP.NET team, the ADO.NET and XML teams, and the CLR team. There are really too many people to mention, but special thanks go to Mark Anders, Scott Guthrie, Mark Fussell, Mike Pizzo, Andres Sanabria, and Erik Olsen. We'd also like to thank Carl Grumbeck for making us more than welcome every time we visit the Microsoft labs - next time we'll remember the tea.
To all of you, thanks guys - we hope you like the result.
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