Summary

This chapter has provided an overview of Web application creation with ASP.NET. You have seen how you can use C# in combination with Web server controls to provide a truly rich development environment. You have developed an event-booking sample application to illustrate many of the techniques available, such as the variety of server controls that exist, and data binding with ADO.NET.

Specifically, you’ve looked at:

• An introduction to ASP.NET and how it fits in with .NET development in general

• How the basic syntax of ASP.NET works, how state management is achieved, and how to integrate C# code with ASP.NET pages

• How to create an ASP.NET Web application using Visual Studio, and what options exist for hosting and testing of Web sites

• A summary of the Web controls available to ASP.NET developers, and how they work together to deliver dynamic and/or data-driven content

• How to work with event handlers to both detect and act on user interaction with controls and customize controls via page and rendering events

• How to bind data to Web controls, and format the data displayed using templates and data binding expressions

• How to put all this together to build a meeting room booker application

Using this information, you are already at a point where you could assemble powerful Web applications of your own. However, so far you’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. So, before you put down this book and dive into your own Web development, I’d beg your indulgence to read a little more. In Chapter 33, you expand your knowledge of ASP.NET by looking at some more important Web topics, including master pages, skinning, and personalization. And I promise you - the results are worth it!