Introduction

Finding Your Best Starting Point

Microsoft ASP.NET Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2003 Step by Step is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction and overview of developing Web applications with ASP.NET. The goal of this book is to help you become competent at the basic skills necessary for creating and using ASP.NET applications. To help you get there as quickly and easily as possible, this book has been divided into four parts, each composed of one or more chapters related to a specific topic. Over the course of these parts and chapters, you’ll learn about the new Microsoft .NET development platform and the part that ASP.NET plays in it. You’ll also learn the skills necessary to take advantage of ASP.NET Web Forms, Server Controls, and XML-based Web services.

Depending on the skills and experience you bring to this book, you might want to start with a particular part of interest to you or skip over certain parts entirely. The following table can help you decide where to start.

If you are	Follow these steps
New
To programming	Install the sample files as described in “Installing the Sample Files” on page xvii. Learn about the background of the Microsoft .NET Framework and ASP.NET by reading Chapters 1–6. Then either work through Part 3 if you want to know more about the technologies underlying ASP.NET or work through Part 4 if you want to get straight into the coding. Work through the rest of the parts and chapters based on your interest in the various topics
Switching
From classic ASP or similar technologies	Install the sample files as described in “Installing the Sample Files” on page xvii. Read or scan Parts 1 and 2 if you’re interested in the background of .NET and ASP.NET. Work through Part 3 for basic Web Forms skills as well as an introduction to using ASP.NET Server Controls and accessing data with ADO.NET. Work through Part 4 for additional ASP.NET application skills.
Referencing
This book after working through the chapters	Use the index to locate information about specific topics, and use the table of contents to locate information about general topics. Read the Quick Reference at the end of each chapter for a brief review of the major tasks in each chapter.

Corrections, Comments, and Help

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this book and the contents of the sample files. Microsoft Press provides corrections and additional content for its books through the World Wide Web at the following address:

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/support

To connect directly to the Microsoft Press Knowledge Base and enter a query about a question you may have, visit:

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/support/search.asp

If you have problems, comments, or ideas regarding this book or the sample files, please send them to Microsoft Press.

Send e-mail to:

[e-mail]

Or send postal mail to:

Microsoft Press
Attn: Developer Step by Step Series
Editor One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399

Please note that product support is not offered through the above addresses. For help with ASP.NET, you can connect to Microsoft Technical Support on the Web at support.microsoft.com/directory, or for additional developer information about ASP.NET, go to www.microsoft.com/net and search on ASPNET.

Visit the Microsoft Press World Wide Web Site

You are also invited to visit the Microsoft Press World Wide Web site at the following location:

http://www.microsoft.com/mspress

You’ll find descriptions for the complete line of Microsoft Press books (including others by G. Andrew Duthie), information about ordering titles, notice of special features and events, additional content for Microsoft Press books, and much more.