Customer Reviews

Beginning ASP.NET 1.1 with VB.NET 2003

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I almost didn't buy this book, because the reviews I had read of it here on Amazon were absolutely hideous. But, the price was right and it covers the subject(s) I need to know, and I had been satisfied with Wiley books before (see "Big Java"). Anyway, I'm on Chapter 5, and I would just like to state that, yes, there are mistakes, typos, you name it. Do they degrade the book's quality? Not in the slighest. This is already one of the best computer book purchases I have ever made. The only complaint I have about it is that it's a little dry--yes I know it's a Computer Science book, but still. But as far as the editing goes, it's not that bad. It's fairly easy to understand what they're saying, and in the few places there's a line that doesn't belong there, you can check on it, cross it out, move on with your life. This book is great, and despite what I have also read here, knows its target audience well--and its audience is old-school static HTML developers. The examples are great, the explinations thorough (sometimes too thorough). This is a great, inexpensive book for someone looking to learn both ASP.NET and VB.NET at the same time.

You'll find it extremely difficult to apply the examples in visual studio.net.
Some of the databases are missing from the downloaded code such as WroxDBAuth.mdb mentioned in chapter 17.
Many errors for example: the access database used in chapter 17 is missing the "SiteAdminLevel" field in the players table (mentioned in the example) and misnamed in the SQL version ("AdminLevel"). As a beginner such errors could take me hours to figure out, never mind the frustration associated with it. So why the four stars? You might ask? Because of the knowledge I gained. Regardless of the errors, this book is very valuable especially if you are intending to use Web matrix.

This is a good book that taught the concepts of ASP.NET in an understandable manner. The book uses a freeware product called "Web Matrix" to perform the examples. I was using an academic copy of Visual Studio 2003 and was totally confused as I followed along for the first week. Being new to ASP.NET, I didn't know the method of coding an ASP.NET web form using "codebehind" until two days after purchasing the book. The book does not discuss this until you get to the appendix. For newbies, information like this should be upfront. So, I spent a few days using Visual Studio.NET like "notepad" until I realized that I could code a web form almost like a standard windows form in VB.NET.

Since you don't need Visual Studio.NET to create ASP.NET pages explains why 99% of the books that I have encountered about ASP.NET don't teach from that perspective as well. Other than that, it is very good book.

The other reviewers stating there are many errors in this book are exaggerating the case. I found a few errors as is to be expected from any technical book but I also found a lively discussion at the Wrox web site forums where many other readers and the authors gladly helped each other answer questions about the book and even general ASP.NET questions that we not specific to the book. All in all, I learned a lot from these authors.

Not sure why some folks say the title is misleading, the book indeed is specifically geared towards the beginning ASP.NET/VB.NET developer. No where does it mention learnig VB Studio. In fact I have VB studio, but I downloaded the Web Matrix software (free from MS) and I find it very easy to use and a good development environment.

I found the book to be very accurate and moves along at a very good pace, not trying to overwhelm the reader with too much detail early on. If you like to learn by coding (getting your feet wet) then this is the book for you. I like this approach, because you sort of figure things out as you go along, and at some point you begin to see the "big picture".

The exaples are very well thought out, and appropriate for the concepts being discussed. This book has enough examples to make it a good refrence book.

This book is very good at teaching the concepts, but there are many mistakes that will really keep you on your toes. You can work around them, to be sure, but just be forwarned. The mistakes are everything from spelling (not really a big deal) to code errors, like semicolons where they dont belong and malformed code. One exercise involves a database that is supposed to be included in the download (from their site) but is not. The "errata" page on Wrox's site suggests you do a Google search in order to find and download the database.
It is a good book for learning ASP.net as well as a good lesson that proofreading is important.

Not a bad book. I would recommend this tome to anyone who has not yet been exposed to Visual Studio, because the book assumes you don't own a copy and teaches you using Microsoft's Web Matrix. Although Web Matrix is a powerful tool, Visual Studio is far easier to work with in the long run (and promotes better coding practices as well).

The general format and layout of the book is classic Wrox. I own many Wrox books and have substantially enhanced my IT career with these books and highly recommend most of them. This book is no exception and is definitely a beginner's book, covering all the basics and then going in-depth into a few nuts and bolts (but never getting too technical).

I recommend this book to brand new programmers. Classic ASP programmers should pick up the MS Press book ASP.NET Programming with VB.NET, Step By Step.

I found it very interesting! I would indicate this book for people that have previous knowledge in ASP and web technologies, beceuse if you don't, the content of the book will appear too difficult, but it's not. It gives you a good overview and introduction to .Net plattform. I recommend!

I am amazed that Wrox (AKA Wiley Publishing) would title a book in such a deceptive manner.

Purchased the book and first thing I did was read "What you need to use this book?" - it clearly states "You do not need Visual Studio.NET in order to use this book." Instead - they expect you to download something called a Web Matrix...

Sure - it uses the .NET framework 1.1 but to me, and I am sure the vast majority of developers, if one sees "with VB.NET 2003" they are not expecting to be taught how to write code in Notepad...

Wrox - You have disappointed me

I'm used to read books about technology. My career (Computer Programming) involves constant actualization and besides that, I love reading a software book.

But this specific book, have kept me trying for more that 14 months, even when I usually read books off this kind of subject (Web Development) in something between two weeks and two months.

I finally decide to dump it, since I can't spend more time. I just got another book for the subject. And I did it after convince myself of the fact that this book is so slow, redundant, and poor that it can kill my enthusiasm.

This book has probably 50 pages (if you filter from the 863 printed) of good information.

If your time is valuable for you, and you need or want to learn the technology, this book is not for you.