Beginning Expression Web (Wrox Beginning Guides) [Paperback]

Zak Ruvalcaba (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470073152 | ISBN-13: 978-0470073155 | Publication Date: March 6, 2007 | Edition: 1

Microsoft Expression Web gives you the tools to develop sophisticated sites that integrate standardized CSS layout with ASP.NET 2.0, XML, and SQL Server 2005. Written by an experienced ASP.NET and Dreamweaver Web developer, this book shows you how to take advantage of all of Expression Web’s innovative features to create a memorable online experience. Expert tips and techniques on Web page structuring, page formatting style sheets, HTML forms, and more will show you how to design and develop new Web applications.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You now have the power to create dynamic Web sites that are fueled by your imagination. Microsoft Expression Web gives you the tools to develop sophisticated sites that integrate standardized CSS layout with ASP.NET 2.0, XML, and SQL Server 2005. Written by an experienced ASP.NET and Dreamweaver Web developer, this book shows you how to take advantage of all of Expression Web's innovative features to create a memorable online experience.

Zak Ruvalcaba provides you with expert tips and techniques on Web page structuring, page formatting using style sheets, utilizing HTML forms, and working with XML data. As you progress through each chapter, you'll discover how to apply this information in order to design and develop new Web applications. Task-oriented examples are also integrated throughout the pages book that you can leverage as you build your own cutting-edge, standards-based Web site.

What you will learn from this book

• Strategies for getting the most out of images, media, and hyperlinks
• Methods for using layers and CSS to create advanced page structuring
• How to attract visitors by adding interactivity with behaviors and Web components
• Ways to incorporate HTML forms and form controls
• How to access and display database data
• Techniques for inserting, editing, and deleting database data
• Tips for working with forms authentication and securing your Web applications

Who this book is for

This book is for beginning- to intermediate-level Web developers who want to create professional, standards-compliant Web sites and applications quickly.

Wrox Beginning guides are crafted to make learning programming languages and technologies easier than you think, providing a structured, tutorial format that will guide you through all the techniques involved.

About the Author

Zak Ruvalcaba has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from National University in San Diego. He served as Creative Director with EPIC Solutions until 1998. His expertise in developing Web applications led him to a position as Manager of Web Development at SkyDesk, Inc., where he developed Web applications for such companies as Gateway, HP, Toshiba, IBM, Intuit, Peachtree, Dell, and Microsoft. He’s worked for such companies as ADCS Inc. and Wireless Knowledge as a wireless software engineer developing .NET solutions for companies including Mellon Financial, Goldman Sachs, TV Guide, Healthbanks, Gartner, Inc., Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Commerce One. Currently, he holds a position with MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California, supporting internal and external .NET applications. His skill set includes technologies and languages including (X)HTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS, ASP, ASP.NET, VB.NET, C#, ADO.NET, Web Services, SQL, T-SQL, and ActionScript. He is a Macromedia Certified Professional (MMCP), a Microsoft Certified Application Developer for .NET (MCAD), and a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer for .NET (MCSD). He teaches and holds design lectures on various technologies and tools including Dreamweaver, Flash, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, and Web Services for the San Diego Community College District and Palomar College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 474 pages
• Publisher: Wrox; 1 edition (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470073152
• ISBN-13: 978-0470073155
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #662,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Zak Ruvalcaba has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. He holds a Bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and a Master of Science degree in instructional technology from National University in San Diego.

Zak's skillset includes HTML/HTML5, CSS/CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Visual Basic, C#, Web Services, and Flash/ActionScript. He is also a Microsoft Certified Application Developer for .NET (MCAD) and a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer for .NET (MCSD).

In his spare time, Zak teaches web development courses for the San Diego Community College District, Mt. San Jacinto Community College and Palomar Community College. He has also written several books on web development, including Build Your Own ASP.NET Website Using C# and VB by SitePoint Press, Dreamweaver CS4 Unleashed by Sam's, and Beginning Expression Web by Wrox Press. And Zak has just finished a new book called Murach's HTML5 and CSS3 by Mike Murach & Associates, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best beginning book to get familiar with Expression., May 30, 2007

By 

J. Curry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginning Expression Web (Wrox Beginning Guides) (Paperback)

I'll start with my only real con: the downloadable content. The author provides the "beginning" and "completed" source so you can compare the pages before and after. There wasn't any chapter 4 content to follow with the book. The author instructs you to load the files for the chapter you're on and then proceeds to step through the page creation. However, there are several chapters that have the content completed in full for the "Beginning" content. I had to delete the stuff on the page before I began the lesson. Minor quip now that I worked through it but it was frustrating in the beginning trying to follow along.

That aside, there aren't many books out yet for this software. After completing this book I felt it was the right choice for the beginner developer or anyone wanting to get a leg up on how Expression works. The examples for the most part were very well explained and made the learning process very simple. The author touches on all the important topics from CSS page design, database connections, login controls for security, as well as the more run of the mill items like, inserting images, hyperlinks, javascript actions for mouse overs, etc.

If you're a beginner to web design and wish to use Expression, I feel this is the best first book. The other two books I have are Using Expression Web and Foundations of Expression Web. From a beginner's point of view I have to say Using Expression Web is a tidbit book. It's something I'll use for reference and/or an overview of specific examples. It's not something I'd recommend for anyone to learn the software ground up. I just finished Beginning Expression Web so I haven't dug into Foundations of Expression just yet. I'm expecting it to be similar to this book but covering a couple of different topics, specifically Dynamic Web Templates and master pages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, September 4, 2007

By 

mezzodiva "mezzodiva" (Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Expression Web (Wrox Beginning Guides) (Paperback)

This book contains a good mixture of practical skills, technical information, and best practices for web design. As an earlier review noted, there are not many books available for Expression Web yet, so not much to compare with. Zak has done a good job of organizing the content in this book. Don't let the word "beginning" fool you; in addition to covering the basics, there are some moderately advanced topics in this book, for which I am grateful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars dont waste your money on a new copy, February 7, 2008

By 

S. Jones (deep south usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beginning Expression Web (Wrox Beginning Guides) (Paperback)

i'm an accomplished frontpage user and handcoder, i'm only in chapter 2 and i'm ready to throw this book across the room. so many mistakes in it. the very first downloadable file he references ISNT EVEN THERE.
No idea how to teach how to use the gui interface for tag manipulation. Says 'do this and this happens' NO IT DOESN'T.
I'm a coder..i expect a howto book to be code...perfect. its a Wiley publication, i expect better from them.
The video that comes with the product is really the best so far. I think i'll buy more from them.