Edited by a lead program manager on Microsoft's .NET Framework team, this definitive book/CD set utilizes extensive annotations and code samples from the creators of the technology to move beyond the online documentation and provide .NET developers with a dictionary-style reference to the most-used parts of the Framework. The book also covers the subset of the ISO CLI Standards, including the Base Class Library and the Extended Numeric Library.

Edited by a Lead Program Manager on Microsoft's .NET Framework team, .NET Framework Standard Library Annotated Reference, Volume 1, is the definitive reference for the .NET Framework base class library. This book utilizes extensive annotations and code samples from the creators of the technology to move beyond the online documentation and provide .NET developers with a dictionary-style reference to the most-used parts of the Framework. This volume covers a subset of the ISO CLI Standards, including the Base Class Library and the Extended Numerics Library. In the printed book you will find informative overviews of each namespace covered and an easy-to-follow alphabetic reference of types in the standard, including type-level descriptions, sample code with output, and annotations from the design team and standardization committee. With the ECMA and ISO standards as its core, this book includes: Annotations from key members of the Microsoft design team and the Standardization committee. Comments cover everything from design rationale and history to common problems and shortcomings. An overview of each namespace, describing its functionality and the inheritance hierarchy of types it defines. Type descriptions. Each type is covered in its own chapter, with a detailed description of how the type is to be used and a quick reference of the C# declaration syntax for all members defined on the type. Also noted: which members are only available in the Microsoft implementation of the .NET Framework, which are not available in the .NET Compact Framework, and which are only available in V1.1 of the .NET Framework. Code samples. Types are illustrated by fully compilable code samples with output included. Reference tabs and an exhaustive index, which allow readers to quickly and easily navigate the text. Reusable source code for more than one thousand samples. All code has been tested with versions 1.0, 1.1, and the 2.0 technical preview of the .NET Framework, and, where appropriate, with the .NET Compact Framework.

"This is a complete, authoritative, and truly useful reference for every .NET developer. It covers every aspect of .NET Framework library by providing concise descriptions with just the right number of examples. I would not start development of any significant .NET project without having this book on my bookshelf." Max Loukianov, Vice President of Research and Development, Netpise Inc. "The .NET Framework Standard Library Annotated Reference is the one reference you really need when you use the .NET Framework library. The annotations provide clear insight into the design choices that the library development team made when building the library. Those explanations will guide you to the best design choices for your own application code." Bill Wagner, Founder/Consultant, SRT Solutions, and author of Effective C#"More than just a reference, this book provides great insight into the massive amount of thought that went into designing the Microsoft .NET Framework. It is both entertaining and educational, combining interesting and sometimes amusing annotations along with the reference material." Jordan Matthiesen, Software Engineer "Brad Abrams, Tamara Abrams, and the CLR team take readers on a journey through the backstreets of the .NET Framework, pointing out invaluable design decisions and performance best practices along the way. Not to be missed by any developer who has ever wondered why the Framework is designed the way it is." William D. Bartholomew, Senior Software Architect, Orli-TECH Pty Ltd "This volume provides an in-depth review for every class method listed, including a CD with many examples of usage. The most valuable aspect of this book is the annotations provided; the annotators'' thoughts about the design of the .NET Framework lets the reader develop a crystal-clear understanding of what can be accomplished with this fantastic technology." Bradley Snobar, Software Engineer "The utility of a reference book is often a function of how easily you can find a desired subject and, once there, how clearly is it explained. On both counts, you should find that this book stands well." Dr. Wes Boudville, Inventor The .NET Framework Standard Library Annotated Reference, Volume 2, completes the definitive reference to the .NET Framework base class library. This book-and-CD set offers programmers unparalleled insight into the ECMA and ISO specifications for the classes and members, while also explaining why they were designed as they were and demonstrating how to use them. This volume covers the Networking, Reflection, and XML libraries, complementing Volume 1''s coverage of the Base Class and Extended Numerics libraries. The printed book contains high-level descriptions of each namespace, plus detailed descriptions and samples of each type, including annotations, inheritance diagrams, and a listing of members. The accompanying CD contains a vastly expanded version of the book''s text that includes detailed descriptions of each member and samples for most members almost two thousand searchable pages of immediately useful reference material, plus a full source-code archive. With the ECMA and ISO standards as its core, the combined book and CD include A clear and complete overview of each namespace, describing its purpose and functionality and the inheritance hierarchy of types it defines. Type descriptions. Each type is covered in its own chapter, with a quick reference to the C# declaration syntax for all members defined in the type, and a detailed description of how the type is used. Annotations from key insiders: members of the Microsoft design team and the ECMA Standards Committee. These comments cover everything from design rationale and history to common problems and shortcomings, with exceptional clarity and candor. Reference tabs and an exhaustive index, which allow readers to quickly and easily navigate the text. Code samples. Types are illustrated by working code samples, with output included. Reusable source code for the more than one thousand samples is supplied as an archive on the CD. All code has been tested with versions 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0 of the .NET Framework and, where appropriate, with the .NET Compact Framework.

“If you have any interest in writing .NET programs using Active Directory or ADAM, this is the book you want to read.” —Joe Richards, Microsoft MVP, directory services Identity and Access Management are rapidly gaining importance as key areas of practice in the IT industry, and directory services provide the fundamental building blocks that enable them. For enterprise developers struggling to build directory-enabled .NET applications, The .NET Developer’s Guide to Directory Services Programming will come as a welcome aid. Microsoft MVPs Joe Kaplan and Ryan Dunn have written a practical introduction to programming directory services, using both versions 1.1 and 2.0 of the .NET Framework. The extensive examples in the book are in C#; a companion Web site includes both C# and Visual Basic source code and examples. Readers will Learn to create, rename, update, and delete objects in Active Directory and ADAM Learn to bind to and search directories effectively and efficiently Learn to read and write attributes of all types in the directory Learn to use directory services within ASP.NET applications Get concrete examples of common programming tasks such as managing Active Directory and ADAM users and groups, and performing authentication Experienced .NET developers—those building enterprise applications or simply interested in learning about directory services—will find that The .NET Developer’s Guide to Directory Services Programming unravels the complexities and helps them to avoid the common pitfalls that developers face.

Version 2.0 of the .NET Framework will offer powerful enhancements to ADO.NET that will give application and service developers unprecedented control over their data. In A First Look at ADO.NET and System.Xml v. 2.0, Microsoft's lead program manager on XML technologies joins with two leading .NET and XML experts to present a comprehensive preview of tomorrow's ADO.NET and System.Xml classes. Drawing on the first .NET Framework 2.0 Technology Preview Release, the authors introduce powerful new techniques for simplifying development, enhancing flexibility, and leveraging .NET's new support for emerging XML standards. They also preview important new synergies between .NET Framework 2.0, XML, and the next version of SQL Server (code-named Yukon). This book's detailed coverage includes: Clear explanations of Microsoft's data-access intentions and directions--so you'll be ready when .NET 2.0 arrives A brief overview of ObjectSpaces--the exciting new technology for using objects that represent and hold their own dataMajor improvements in bulk loading, batch execution, and paging Support for truly asynchronous connection and command operationsIn-process server-side cursors for programmat

ASP.NET AJAX server controls can encapsulate even the most powerful AJAX functionality, helping you build more elegant, maintainable, and scalable applications. This is the first comprehensive, code-rich guide to custom ASP.NET AJAX server controls for experienced ASP.NET developers. Unlike other books on ASP.NET AJAX, this book focuses solely on server control development and reflects the significant improvements in ASP.NET 3.5 AJAX and the latest Visual Studio 2008 features for streamlining AJAX development Adam Calderon and Joel Rumerman first review the core Microsoft AJAX Library and JavaScript techniques needed to support a rich client-side experience. Next, they build upon these techniques showing how to create distributable AJAX-enabled controls that include rich browser-independent JavaScript client-side functionality. The authors thoroughly explain both the JavaScript and .NET aspects of control development and how these two distinct environments come together to provide a foundation for building a rich user experience using ASP.NET AJAX. Create object-oriented cross-browser JavaScript that supports .NET style classes, interfaces, inheritance, and method overloading Work with components, behaviors, and controls, and learn how they relate to DOM elements Learn Sys.Application and the part it plays in object creation, initialization, and events in the Microsoft AJAX Library Build Extender and Script controls that provide integrated script generation for their corresponding client-side counterparts Localize ASP.NET AJAX controls including client script Discover ASP.NET AJAX client and server communication architecture and the new support for Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Understand ASP.NET AJAX Application Services Create custom Application Services Design controls for a partial postback environment Understand the AJAX Control Toolkit architecture and the many features it provides Develop highly interactive controls using the AJAX Control Toolkit Understand AJAX Control Toolkit architecture and build controls that utilize the toolkit

“Charlie and Dinesh bring important skills to this project that enable them to show how LINQ works and the practical ways you can use it in your daily development process.” From the Foreword by Anders Hejlsberg LINQ is one of Microsoft’s most exciting, powerful new development technologies. Essential LINQ is the first LINQ book written by leading members of Microsoft’s LINQ and C# teams. Writing for architects, developers, and development managers, these Microsoft insiders share their intimate understanding of LINQ, revealing new patterns and best practices for getting the most out of it. Calvert and Kulkarni begin by clearly explaining how LINQ resolves the long-time “impedance mismatch” between object-oriented code and relational databases. Next, they show how LINQ integrates querying into C# as a “first-class citizen.” Using realistic code examples, they show how LINQ provides a strongly typed, IntelliSense-aware technology for working with data from any source, including SQL databases, XML files, and generic data structures. Calvert and Kulkarni carefully explain LINQ’s transformative, composable, and declarative capabilities. By fully illuminating these three concepts, the authors allow developers to discover LINQ’s full power. In addition to covering core concepts and hands-on LINQ development in C# with LINQ to Objects, LINQ to XML, LINQ to SQL, and LINQ to Entities, they also present advanced topics and new LINQ implementations developed by the LINQ community. This book • Explains the entire lifecycle of a LINQ project: design, development, debugging, and much more • Teaches LINQ from both a practical and theoretical perspective • Leverages C# language features that simplify LINQ development • Offers developers powerful LINQ query expressions to perform virtually any data-related task • Teaches how to query SQL databases for objects and how to modify those objects • Demonstrates effective use stored procedures and database functions with LINQ • Shows how to add business logic that reflects the specific requirements of your organization • Teaches developers to create, query, and transform XML data with LINQ • Shows how to transform object, relational, and XML data between each other • Offers best patterns and practices for writing robust, easy-to-maintain LINQ code

Praise for The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language "There is no substitute to getting the inside scoop directly from a book written by the father of a programming language such as Bjarne Stroustrup for C++, James Gosling for Java and Alan Cooper for the original version of Visual Basic. Paul Vick, the father of Visual Basic .NET, explains the whys and hows of this exciting new language better than any other human being on the planet." --Ted Pattison, Barracuda.NET "The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language includes nuances that in all my use and study of VB .NET, I haven''t seen discussed anywhere else. For example, I learned that you can use the Imports statement to import an Enum name, so that you needn''t refer to the enum in all its uses. In addition, I learned that the dictionary lookup operator, ''!'', works in VB .NET--I thought this one had been retired. In any case, if you''re searching for a book that covers all the language syntax issues, and more, Paul Vick''s book is a great place to look." --Ken Getz, Senior Consultant, MCW Technologies, LLC "This book is an excellent stepping stone for Visual Basic developers wanting to get their toes wet in the .NET waters. Paul''s presentation of the core topics all VB developers should tackle first is clear, concise, and unlike other books in the genre, does not overwhelm the reader. The VB6 vs. VB.NET task-oriented approach guides you through the new language and OO features, and then moves to basic threading and other CLR topics--as well as to the key points in the COM to .NET transition--in a well thought-out sequence. If you''ve been holding out on VB .NET, this is a great book to get you started." --Klaus H. Probst, Sr. Consultant/Architect, Spherion Technology Services, Microsoft MVP "There is no shortage of VB .NET books in the market, but this is the only book straight from the creators. While that is an excellent reason in itself for reading this book, it is the brevity and clarity of the content, along with the examples, that makes this book a must-have." --Amit Kalani, Developer "Overall, I liked this book and it definitely benefited me. I learned new things I didn''t see anywhere else and I''ll certainly put these to good use in the future. Paul''s book makes a great reference manual for intermediate and advanced VB .NET developers." --Philip Williams, System Engineer, LDC Direct "This book contains a lot of great information I have seen nowhere else and addresses issues that other books do not." --Ethan Roberts, .NET Architect, General Casualty "This book is full of useful information and provides a good historical background for the Visual Basic .NET Language." --Dave Vitter, Technical Lead Developer and author of Designing Visual Basic .NET Applications (Coriolis, 2001) The definitive Microsoft Visual Basic .NET reference--authored by Visual Basic .NET''s lead architect If you want to leverage all of VB .NET''s immense power, get this book. It''s the definitive VB .NET reference and tutorial, and the first Visual Basic book written by one of VB .NET''s lead architects. No other book offers this much behind-the-scenes insight about why VB .NET works the way it does, how it evolved, and how you can make the most of it. The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language is a superb learning tool for new VB .NET programmers and a must-have reference for developers at every level. Paul Vick presents precise language descriptions, essential reference materials, practical insights, and hundreds of code samples, straight from Microsoft''s VB .NET design team. Just some of the features include: A history and overview of Visual Basic''s evolution into VB .NET Complete coverage of the language syntax Transitioning from COM to the CLR and leveraging the .NET platform Runtime functions Taking full advantage of VB .NET''s object-oriented features Notes on style, design, and compatibility throughout the text Notes for the advanced user throughout the text Vick exposes VB .NET''s most powerful capabilities with unprecedented depth and clarity, and packs this book with information you simply won''t find anywhere else. Whether you''re an experienced VB .NET programmer, upgrading from earlier versions of Visual Basic, or coming to Visual Basic and .NET for the first time, you''ll find this book indispensable.

Zita is determined to find her way home to Earth, but her exploits have made her an intergallactic megastar, and as her true self is eclipsed by her public persona, she faces a robot doppelganger, unsure of who she can trust.