Programming Microsoft Infopath: A Developer's Guide [Paperback]

Thom Robbins (Author)

Book Description

Series: Programming | Publication Date: January 18, 2006

Create Applications that Gather, Process, and Analyze Information with InfoPath! InfoPath is one of the fastest growing products within the Microsoft Office System. It is a forms-based solution that streamlines the process of gathering, sharing, and using information by enabling teams and organizations to create, share, and work with dynamic forms. Programming Microsoft InfoPath: A Developer's Guide, Second Edition is a completely updated edition of the best-selling book that covers the new features and options of InfoPath with Service Pack 1, that center on east of use for end users and extensibility for developers. The book takes a practical and code-oriented approach to provide the essential skill set needed to develop and implement applications with InfoPath. Updated examples that clearly demonstrate the use of InfoPath with the Service Pack 1 extensions are also included. Programming Microsoft InfoPath: A Developer's Guide, Second Edition is an ideal reference for developers creating distributed applications using InfoPath with Service Pack 1.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thom Robbins is the Director of Developer Outreach for Microsoft. He is responsible for working with the worldwide developer audience and delivering technical content and experiences that enhance their career and experiences with Microsoft. Thom is a regular speaker and author for a variety of magazines. He spends his time working with developers across the world on how they can best use Microsoft technologies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 2 edition (January 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584504536
• ISBN-13: 978-1584504535
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,885,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for Infopath developers, May 9, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Microsoft InfoPath (Programming Series) (Paperback)

The first thing you need to know before purchasing this book is the software requirements in order to work with the sample programs. For software you will need either Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Professional and InfoPath 2003. To work with many web-enabled samples you will also need an Internet Information Server. To compile and run many of the samples you will also need Visual Studio.NET 2003 or the .NET Framework 1.1. It also require Microsoft Office 2003 and all associated products. The book also assumes a basic knowledge of program development in a distributed environment (although the assumptions here are pretty minimal). You will note that all the software required is totally Microsoft. If you are not willing to put on your Microsoft blinders and believe that nothing exists in the computer world other than Microsoft then you will not be particularly interested in Infopath nor this book. On the other hand, if you are a totally Microsoft office, read on.

Infopath is Microsoft's collaborative environment for office automation and workflow control. Using XML based forms a user can input information once and have it shared into Word, Excel, SQL, or other applications simultaneously. Needless to say this can increase efficiency tremendously for situations where data has to be rewritten or cut-and-paste into different programs to keep it all up to date. For those already working with Infopath, or planning to make that move, the book is an excellent guide to developing data sharing programs that take input with validation, store, extract, and update that information through easy to use forms, provide a secure solution, and integrate with Biztalk Server.

The approach of the author is to provide basic information and instruction interspersed with actual coding examples so you can actually test your knowledge and see the results. This is one of the best teaching methods and he does an excellent job. A quick view of the table of contents shows the highly organized layout of the book. It starts with an examination of the Infopath integrated development environment (IDE), then follows with generating XML Forms, web service forms, and database forms, next is building workflow-enabled applications, integrating with BizTalk server, building smart client applications, securing solutions, and finally deploying your application.

For those developing applications in the InfoPath environment this is a top-notch guide that provides everything you need to know to start creating a collaborative working environment. If your company has made the commitment to InfoPath "Programming Microsoft Infopath: A Developer's Guide" is a book you will want to have.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great place to get started, June 12, 2004

By 

Patrick M. Tormey (Boston Area) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Microsoft InfoPath (Programming Series) (Paperback)

"Programming Microsoft InfoPath" is a great place to start.

The book covers how to get started and how InfoPath fits into the software developer's toolbox, from Form design thru security, and integration with SharePoint/BizTalk.

With this book and a little practice, I was able to start creating practical "Smart Client" applications on the first day.

Pat Tormey PE
Foursquare Solutions

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Introduction to the Subject, March 29, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Programming Microsoft Infopath: A Developer's Guide (Paperback)

This is an intermediate level book aimed a the programmer/developer who is setting up a distributed application using InfoPath. If you are an InfoPath end user, this is not the book for you. If you are just starting out as an InfoPath developer, then this is the place to start.

The book begins with a bit of history and description of the basic structure of the Microsoft .NET framework, Service Oriented Architecture, and its integration into Microsoft Office.

From there it goes into the InfoPath IDE and you're off and running. The book is somewhat tutorial in nature, with screen shots showing how to do things. It also has some of the characteristics of a reference book with descriptions organized by subject rather than going through in a straight tutorial format.

This is the second edition of this book and it covers all of the changes and updates included in Service Pack 1. There is a CD with the book that includes all of the source code, figures, and projects from the book. The writing is clear and to the point. This is a good introduction to the subject.