Conclusion

We have already learned quite a bit about the Web Forms environment, the standard ASP.NET server controls, laying out Web Forms, and using Web Parts. This chapter introduced data binding. In addition to the many ways in which Web Forms applications can be built to access data from a database declaratively, without any code, we learned how to use the DataSet and DataReader objects to programmatically access data, as well as how to save data. In addition to the raw SQL SELECT statements used in the SqlDataSource controls, we also learned how to use stored procedures to select and save data.

Next, in Chapter 6, we will learn about creating custom controls of all sorts. By using custom controls, one developer can work out all the details of a problem, and then other developers can take that predefined bit of tested functionality and build solutions. Custom controls sound good, and they are. However, they can be tricky to get right. After reading the next chapter, you will be well on your way to creating controls that you and others can use.