Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 (Part 4 of 4): ASP.NET 2.0 Configuration and Deployment

Listening to Fritz Onion of PluralSight.com. He's the guru.

Missed quite a bit of it (had a work meeting just before that ran overtime. Don't you hate it when that happens?)

http://www.pluralsight.com/fritz/webcasts.aspx

Just learned what is meant by a "binary deployment." It means putting only the .DLLs on the Web Server, rather than the individual .ASPX web pages. This is useful for preventing unauthorised editing of the Web Pages (by other developers).

Session Summary

• Configuration
  • Hierarchical application of web.config files
  • Configuring security and using membership
• Development Time
  • Many modes supported by Visual Studio 2005: choose what works best for you
• Deployment Time
  • Many more options, decision about packaging can be delayed until deployment.

VB.NET Soup-to-Nuts Webcast: Class Libraries

Am currently listening to Ron Cundiff's webcast (#3 of 22!) on Visual Basic .NET: Class Libraries.

This is a Microsoft Office Live Meeting (free training). This is a 200-level 1 hour lecture. Might be a bit below me, but it's always good to "fill the gaps."

I'm going to ask the following question: "I have been a VB programmer for years, and recently bowed to peer pressure and created my first C# app. What's the fuss about? Why is C# seen as something special? I couldn't find any extra features to give C# its reputation as a more robust programming language."

(Private Answer: nah, it's mostly because of the c/c++ programmers, and it's the most commonly used language in college...)

• Demo

  • Go to http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework for free downloads.

  • .NET Framework 3.0 is now available.

  • The Software Development Kit (SDK) is necessary to create .NET applications.

  • You must install the Framework first.

  • The SDK comes with QuickStart Tutorials.

  • The CLR Debugger is the heart of the .NET Framework. This is what runs your apps.

  • The System namespace has a manifest (observable from the IL DASM) which references multiple external assemblies.
• Namespaces
  • a way to have a unique library name
  • Separated by "." notation
• System namespace
  • is the top-level namespace
  • contains all base objects
  • data types
• Other System.* Namespaces
  • Divided by functional area
  • System.Web
  • System.Windows
  • System.Data
  • System.Xml
  • System.Configuration
• My Namespace
  • New in Microsoft(R) Visual Basic(R) 2005
  • Speed-dial into commonly used functions (e.g. My.Computer.Clock = Microsoft.VisualBasic.Devices.Clock)
  • Reduces the amount of code you have to write
  • Discoverable through IntelliSense(R)
  • Reduces the amount time spent researching base classes or application programming interfaces (APIs)
• Custom Class Libraries
  • User-defined namespaces
  • Contain functions
  • Add references
  • "Imports" statement
  • Are used just like System.* classes
• Session Summary
  • Assemblies
  • Namespaces
  • System namespace
  • Other system.* namespaces
  • Custom class libraries

.NET User Group "Lightening Talk"

(Am moving these next few entries over from Family Blog so my political and business interests do not drown out my family photos.)

Took part in kick-off of Dot Net User Group for 2007.

I gave a 5-minute presentation "Inside Telecom".

If you're interested, here's the PowerPoint Presentation

Who am I?

• Senior Developer – Microsoft Technologies
• MCP, MCSD, MCDBA, (MCT), MCAD
• Workgroup Solutions Team
• Applications Development, Maintenance & Support
• Shared Capability
• Technology and Enterprises

What do we do?

• Hunt, seek, destroy (Access)
  • Web front-end
  • SQL Server back-end
• Develop, maintain & support
• Workflow!

What do we want?

• Juniors – Web
• Intermediate – MCAD
• Senior – MCSD or MCPD
• Manager
  • Wellington Java (vacant)
  • Auckland .NET (filled)

What do you get?

• Unlimited Training
  • up to 20% of chargeable time per week
  • Exam/study/training budget
  • 1-2 weeks per annum courses
• MSDN Universal
• Reasonable salary
• Heaps of abuse!