Illustrated C# 2005 doesn’t use the traditional dense prose format of most programming texts. Rather, it presents the C# programming language in a unique visual manner. The book uses three techniques to achieve this: concise text; tables that clarify and summarize language features; and frequent figures and diagrams. Each feature is also illustrated with concise, focused code samples.

The book starts with an overview of the .NET platform and the role played by C#, then quickly delves into the language. It covers the entire C# language, including new features added in C# 2.0 as well as the most complex topics. It’s an ideal read if you’re a migrating C++ or VB programmer who already knows how languages work.

Despite its title—which might give the impression that it’s a lightweight treatment of the language—this book is anything but. With its clean visual format, you’ll be able to learn the material more quickly and retain it better than you would with a typical C# 2005 book. Even experienced programmers may come away from it with a deeper understanding of the language.

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Need to brush up on specific SQL Server tasks, procedures, or Transact-SQL commands? Not finding what you need from SQL Server books online? Or perhaps you just want to familiarize yourself with the practical application of new T-SQL-related features. SQL Server 2005 T-SQL Receipes: A Problem-Solution Approach is an ideal book, whatever your level as a DBA or developer.

This “no-fluff” desk reference offers direct access to the information you need to get the job done. It covers basic T-SQL data manipulation, the use of stored procedures, triggers and UDFs, and advanced T-SQL techniques for database security and maintenance. It also provides hundreds of practical recipes that describe the utilities of features and functions, with a minimim of background theory.

Additionally, this book provides “how-to” answers to common SQL Server T-SQL questions, conceptual overviews, and highlights of new features introduced in SQL Server 2005. It also features concise T-SQL syntax examples, and you can use the book to prepare for a SQL Server-related job interview or certification test.

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Proven author Andrew Troelsen has a history of writing award-winning books for professional developers. This book is based on Troelsen’s extremely successful C# and the .NET Platform and is thoroughly updated and revised to cover VB .NET 2005. It offers a thorough and well-paced overview of the new VB .NET 2005 and .NET 2.0. After beginning with a quick tour of the basics, Troelsen focuses on the must-have skill for .NET 2.0 programming: object-oriented programming.

This book addresses the new features in .NET 2.0, such as generics, Windows Forms, web services, XML manipulation, .NET assemblies, and smart clients. It also covers advanced topics like the Intermediate Language (IL), into which all .NET 2.0 code is compiled. Since many of you will continue on the path from earlier versions of VB, this book is well suited to meet your needs.

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