Apress

Accelerated SQL server 2008.

Intended for experienced database administrators and developers, this guide explains what has changed in the third generation release of Microsoft SQL Server. Walters, a data platform specialist with Microsoft, describes SQL Server 2008's new features for availability, performance, security, automation, dynamic development, transact-SQL, .NET programming, XML support, reporting services, and analysis services. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Accelerated VB 2005.

For experienced developers who have a working knowledge of an object oriented programming language, this guide details how to write code using Visual Basic 2005 and .NET 2.0. It explains syntax, design patterns, idioms, interfaces, exception handling, .NET 2.0 features like constrained execution regions, and others. The authors also discuss new features such as generics, operator overloading, and anonymous methods. Fouché is a business intelligence and decision support consultant. Nash is a software engineer. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Beginning ASP.NET 3.5 in VB 2008; from novice to professional, 2d ed.

The second edition of this tutorial on ASP.NET has been expanded to reflect changes in the 3.5 version of the software in VB 2008 for developing modern web applications. MacDonald, a web developer who has previously written five ASP.NET manuals for Apress, assumes that readers already have a basic knowledge of VB, although he does provide a brief review for those without extensive professional experience. The author uses a step-by-step format on .NET formats that begins with specific web development applications such as Visual Studio before moving on to building better web forms, working with data, implementing website security and mastering advanced functions. An eBook version of this manual is available for $10 with purchase of the print edition. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Expert .NET micro framework.

Kühner, principal software engineer for Vallon GmbH in Germany and an early adopter of the .NET Micro Framework, provides a detailed examination of the .NET runtime environment in this instructional reference work. The author introduces the .NET Micro Framework and its tools and guides readers through the entire base class library. He follows up with instruction on how to use and write managed drivers to access hardware components, how to use and provide Web services on devices with the Device Profile for Web Services, and how to write applications with rich graphical interfaces. Extensible emulator and emulator components also are addressed. This reference is intended for .NET developers or traditional embedded developers with a background in assemble language C or C++. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Foundation ActionScript 3.0 with Flash CS3 and Flex.

Written with a combination of "geeky" humor and a clear, direct style, this manual for ActionScript 3.0 with Flash CS3 and Flex offers a step-by-step procedure for learning the essentials of the program and its features. Authors Webster (developer), Yard (software architect), and McSharry (Flash developer) utilize numerous screen shots and a strictly linear format for presenting their information. Among the numerous topics are using ActionScript objects, manipulating sound and video, and using the power of regular expressions and XML. This book is appropriate for Flash designers looking for new skills and ActionScript developers who want to get acquainted with the newest version. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Founders at work; stories of startups' early days. (reprint, 2007)

In hopes of inspiring people interested in starting their own companies, Livingstone (founding partner of a seed-stage venture firm, Cambridge, Massachusetts) interviews the founders (pictured) of innovative companies that became successful in the electronic technology sector: e.g., Apple Computer, craigslist, PayPal, Yahoo!, and TiVo. They tell stories of how they turned their innovative new ideas into successful businesses and of how perseverance in the face of rejection often leads to innovation. The interviews focus on the early stages of these startups and the uncertainties the founders often faced and show that pure determination may be the most important quality for the creative entrepreneur to possess. She notes that while startups often function counter to established ideas of what is "businesslike" they tend to be extremely productive and she suggests that the corporate world might improve productivity by focusing more on creativity and less on appearances. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Foundation Expression Blend 2; building applications in WPF and Silverlight.

For developers who have some experience in object-oriented programming and programming languages but who are new to Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), this guide explains how to create Rich Media Applications using Expression Blend 2. It covers setup, workflow and building an initial application, the integrated development environment, C# and XAML, layout and controls, events, creating video and audio, working with 3D objects, and other features. Four projects are provided, two in WPF and two Silverlight. Gaudioso is a software application engineer for a company that specializes in applications and training programs in WPF and Silverlight. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Foundation Flex for developers; data-driven applications with PHP, ASP.NET, ColdFusion, and LCDS.

This guide for web developers covers Flex Builder 3 and ActionScript 3.0 software applications, and how to use the MXML and ActionScript programming languages to format and debug data. Jacobs, an independent web developer, has teamed with De Weggheleire (Technical U. of West-Flanders, Belgium) to provide extensive code and step-by-step instructions within the Flex architecture, emphasizing integration with ColdFusion, PHP and ASP.NET. A special section is devoted to Adobe LiveCycle Data Services ES, using specific case studies from existing websites. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

MAC OS X Leopard; beyond the manual.

For those new to the operating system, this guide explains how to use Mac OS X Leopard, its applications including Mail, Safari, and Preview, media, customization and administration, using the internet, Darwin, networking, development and scripting, and working with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems. Meyers works in web design and development and edits books on the topics. Lee is a computer programmer. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

On the way to the Web; the secret history of the Internet and its founders.

The stories of the individuals who laid the foundation for the Internet are presented by Banks (The Modern Reference), who tracks the surprising origins of the World Wide Web back through several decades. Mixing history and trivia (such as the origins of the "@" sign), the author reveals such gems as how the first wireless Internet system was actually built in 1978, and how several unlikely characters became wealthy by being in the right place at the right time. Written for anyone who has ever "logged on," this book also discusses what happened to such early attempts at the "information superhighway" as Prodigy, DELPHI, CompuServe and Playnet. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Practical DWR 2 projects.

After reviewing the history of web application development with Ajax, this guide introduces the Direct Web Remoting (DWR) open source library for building Ajax applications without getting into the details of XMLHttpRequest coding. The second half of the book walks through the code for an Ajax-based webmail client, a DWR-based wiki, a file manager, an enterprise reporting portal, a DWR game, and a time- tracking system. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Pro JavaScript design patterns.

Both Harmes and Diaz work as front-end and interface engineers for leading search engine companies, and they have collaborated on this guide to using Pro JavaScript programming for web development tasks. Emphasizing the object-oriented design principles in the latest JavaScript software, the authors teach web programmers how to implement the commonly used patterns to design usable and user-friendly code to create libraries and other applications. Aimed primarily at fellow developers and engineers, this guide focuses on the maturity and flexibility of JavaScript, highlighting how this language has become much more efficient and modular in recent years. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Pro T-SQL 2008 programmer's guide.

This tutorial describes and demonstrates new T-SQL features with working examples, and can be used as a reference for quickly locating details about specific features. The book addresses the needs of three types of readers: SQL developers coming from other platforms to SQL Server, SQL developers moving from prior versions of SQL Server to the 2008 version, and DBAs and nondevelopers who need a working knowledge of T-SQL functionality to support SQL Server 2008 instances. Coverage includes some basics of T-SQL, new simple and advanced features, SQL Server client-side connectivity, and Microsoft's new LINQ to SQL technology. About 150 code samples, written in T-SQL and C#, are provided, most based on the freely available AdventureWorks 2008 sample database. Readers should have a working knowledge of SQL, preferably T-SQL on SQL Server 2005 or 2000. Because sample code in C# is provided and explained in detail, a working knowledge of C# and the .NET Framework is useful, but not required. Chapter exercises are included. Coles is a business intelligence consultant. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

SharePoint 2007 development recipes; a problem-solution approach.

This book offers ready-to-use code recipes that provide building blocks for solving many common SharePoint 2007 programming dilemmas. Each recipe includes background material and notes on design considerations, a list of key libraries, classes, and web services that the recipe relies on, process flow diagrams, a narrative description of the steps, source code in both VB and C#, and discussion of variations. Recipes are categorized by problem area, such as site management, event handling, users, lists, and web parts. Readers are assumed to know how to create the basic .NET project types: console, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET web service. Gerow is director of an application development team. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

SQL server 2008 transact-SQL recipes.

Intended for SQL Server developers and administrators, this desk reference provides Transact-SQL solutions for modifying data, creating tables and indexes, performing calculations, executing stored procedures, enabling DML triggers, tuning performance, handling errors, grating permissions to principals, and queuing messages in the service broker. Each chapter begins with basic tasks and progressively works toward more advanced topics. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Taking your iPhone to the max.

This title is intended for business or personal users of iPhones on either a Mac or Windows system. Chapters go from the basic to the complex, from selecting and activating the iPhone through placing calls, messaging and email, Internet browsing, iTunes and iPod functions, photos, and Google Maps and other applications. Prerequisites include an Apple iPhone, computer with a USB 2.0 port, an Internet connection, iTunes 7.3 or later, an iTunes account, and an operating system of Windows XP with Service Pack 2.0 or later, Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate, or Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Windows Vista; beyond the manual.

For experienced users who already know the basics, this guide details the features of Windows Vista. It covers installation and setup, customization, working with user tools, administration, the command line and the file system, using BitLocker, setting up networks, working with applications, managing security, and other topics. Hassell is an author and consultant specializing in Windows administration and security. Campbell is a Microsoft consultant specializing in the architecture and design of secure business solutions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)