Section 19.3. Web (ASP.NET) Programming

19.3 Web (ASP.NET) Programming

Rather than diving deeper into the recesses of VB.NET, you might decide to get started with building ASP.NET applications. ASP.NET applications can be interactive web sites, portals, or complete applications running on and distributed through the web. For example, Microsoft offers a free sample application, IBuySpyStore (http://www.ibuyspystore.com), that demonstrates how you can build a full online store using ASP.NET technology.

VS.NET provides extensive support for building ASP.NET applications, and VB.NET is one of the languages of choice for this development. With what you've learned already, you are well prepared to move on to creating web applications.

I wrote Programming ASP.NET , with Dan Hurwitz (O'Reilly) as a comprehensive guide to ASP.NET technology. You'll find extensive coverage of Web Form controls and event handling. You'll also find coverage of advanced programming technique, error handling, and validation. Programming ASP.NET devotes more than 150 pages to working with data in your web applications and also provides extensive coverage of web services. Finally, Programming ASP.NET offers coverage of such advanced topics as custom controls, security, caching and performance, and deployment- related issues.