Mastering Web Development with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

by Mueller, John Paul

• ISBN13: 9780782144390
• ISBN10: 078214439X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-05
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

Be Right at Home in the World's Most Powerful Web Development Environment For large-scale web application development, Visual Studio 2005 is the most capable product around. This book shows team members and leaders how to use its power in several key dimensions. You'll master dozens of built-in features for creating a large, high-performance website based on ASP.NET 2.0. You'll work seamlessly with dynamic data, both reading from and writing to databases. And throughout, you'll learn how Visual Studio 2005 supports a more efficient group process in terms of design, development, and deployment. And everything is brought together with the enterprise-scale example, "ABC Incorporated," that runs throughout the book. This is a book no web developer, and no web-dependent organization, should be without. Coverage Includes Reaping the benefits of master pages and themes Generating site maps and other navigational aids automatically Building a shopping cart application for your website Adding search functionality to your website Creating a flexible user environment using Webpart technology Increasing application performance using client-side and server-side scripting technologies Giving users the ability to change the website's theme to meet specific needs Using components and controls to add special effects and user customization Improving team efficiency using modern development and design techniques Monitoring and responding to usage statistics Combining technologies to get the best possible results from large applications Making your site accessible to everyone Master Standards-Based Web Development Techniques New to Visual Studio 2005 Discover How Visual Studio 2005 Solves Team Development Issues, Such as Source Code Control and Application Design Simplify Database Application Development without Compromising Security or Reliability

Author Biography

John Paul Mueller is a freelance writer and technical editor who has written over 300 articles and 68 books, most recently Microsoft Windows XP Power Optimization (Sybex 2005). He's contributed articles to such magazines as DevSource, asp.netPro, InformIT, SQL Server Professional, Visual C++ Developer, Hard Core Visual Basic, and Visual Basic Developer. You can reach John on the Internet at [e-mail] and visit his website at: http://www.mwt.net/~jmueller/.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xxiii
Part 1 Discovering Visual Web Developer	1	(80)
Working with Visual Web Developer	3	(26)
Introducing Visual Web Developer	3	(5)
Understanding What Visual Web Developer Provides	4	(2)
Understanding How Visual Web Developer Differs from Visual Web Developer Express Edition	6	(2)
Understanding the ASP.NET 2.0 Difference	8	(2)
Performing the Visual Web Developer Setup	10	(1)
Using the IDE	10	(11)
An Overview of the IDE Elements	11	(2)
Modifying the Visual Web Developer Options	13	(2)
Using the Design View	15	(2)
Using Source View	17	(1)
Using the Code View	18	(3)
Working with the Personal Web Site Starter Kit	21	(6)
Creating the Application	21	(1)
Working with the Application Elements	22	(1)
Modifying the Application Template to Meet Specific Needs	23	(4)
Defining the Enterprise Web Project	27	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	27	(2)
Creating a Simple Application	29	(30)
Using the Built-in Web Server	29	(14)
Advantages of Using the Built-in Web Server	30	(1)
Disadvantages of Using the Built-in Web Server	30	(1)
Creating the Application	31	(3)
Using the Build Toolbar	34	(2)
Using the Standard Toolbar	36	(3)
Finding and Replacing Text	39	(4)
Working with the Browser Emulator	43	(1)
Understanding Save/Refresh Style Page Development	44	(4)
Performing Tasks One at a Time	44	(1)
Using the Task List Window	44	(3)
Using the HTML Source Edit Toolbar	47	(1)
Working with Control SmartTags	48	(1)
Using Internet Information Server	49	(4)
Working with Local IIS	49	(1)
Creating New Projects with IIS	50	(2)
Using the Copy Web Site Tool	52	(1)
Designing Your Application Using Visio	53	(3)
Deciding What to Create	54	(1)
Designing a Site Map	54	(2)
Working with Existing Web Sites	56	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	56	(3)
Using Server Explorer	59	(22)
Understanding Server Explorer	59	(8)
Creating a Server Connection	61	(1)
An Overview of Data Connections	62	(2)
An Overview of Crystal Reports Services	64	(1)
An Overview of Message Queues	64	(3)
An Overview of Services	67	(1)
Working with Event Logs	67	(4)
Using Standard Event Logs	68	(2)
Developing Custom Event Logs	70	(1)
Working with Performance Counters	71	(8)
Viewing Performance Counters	71	(5)
Creating a Simple Counter	76	(3)
Defining Your Development Goals	79	(2)
Part 2 Using Built-in Features	81	(108)
Working with ASP.NET 2.0 Master Pages and Themes	83	(32)
Understanding Master Pages	83	(3)
Designing Master Pages	86	(11)
Creating the Master Page	86	(1)
Using Existing Resources	87	(1)
Defining the Master Page	88	(1)
Creating a Layout	89	(3)
Using the Layout Toolbar	92	(5)
Creating a Project with Master Pages	97	(4)
Creating a Content Page Using a Master Page	97	(2)
Adding a Master Page to an Existing Web Page	99	(1)
Using Multiple Master Pages in a Project	100	(1)
Understanding Themes	101	(1)
Designing Your Own Themes	102	(2)
Creating a Themes Folder	102	(1)
Defining a CSS File for a Theme	102	(1)
Defining the SKIN File and Adding Theme Resources	102	(2)
Creating a Simple Project Using Themes	104	(3)
Applying a Theme to a Page	105	(1)
Applying a Theme to a Web Site	106	(1)
Working with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)	107	(5)
Using the Style Sheet Toolbar	107	(1)
Designing Flexible Interfaces	108	(1)
Creating and Using a CSS File	109	(2)
Working with CSS in the Web Page	111	(1)
Working with Microsoft Using the Web Toolbar	112	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	113	(2)
Building Intelligent Pages	115	(32)
Understanding Server-side Intelligence	116	(2)
Detecting the Client Configuration	118	(5)
Working with Forms	123	(9)
Deciding between the GET and POST Data Handling Methods	124	(1)
Understanding the Four Levels of Data Processing	125	(1)
Processing Input Using the GET Method	125	(3)
Processing Input Using the POST Method	128	(2)
Understanding the New ASP.NET 2.0 Controls	130	(2)
Using XML Instead of HTML for Web Pages	132	(8)
Creating the XML Content	132	(4)
Interpreting the XML Using XSLT	136	(3)
Learning More about XML	139	(1)
Learning More about XSLT	140	(1)
Developing a Privacy Policy	140	(3)
Creating a Safe Environment for User Data	143	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	145	(2)
Working with Scripts	147	(42)
Understanding Client-side Intelligence	147	(3)
Using Basic Scripting Principles	150	(4)
Creating Efficient and Effective Scripts	150	(1)
Debugging Your Scripts	151	(3)
Learning More about JavaScript	154	(1)
Working with Controls	154	(17)
Working with HTML Tags	154	(2)
Using the <Object> Tag	156	(9)
Relying on ASP.NET Controls	165	(2)
Scripting with Client Callback	167	(4)
Storing and Deleting Cookies	171	(7)
Creating and Reading Temporary Cookies	171	(4)
Creating and Reading Permanent Cookies	175	(3)
Using WebParts to Automate User Customizations	178	(9)
Adding the WebPartManager	178	(1)
Changing Selections Using a Custom Control	179	(4)
Creating Content with the WebPartZone	183	(1)
Modifying the Content with an EditorZone	184	(1)
Adding New Items with the CatalogZone	185	(1)
Viewing the Script behind the Controls	185	(2)
Keeping Data Safe with Encoding	187	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	187	(2)
Part 3 Creating Simple but Effective Pages	189	(94)
Creating Feedback Forms	191	(28)
Understanding the Need for Feedback Forms	191	(1)
Targeting Feedback Forms to Meet Specific Needs	192	(8)
Considering What You Expect from the Form	193	(3)
Defining the Basic User Requirements	196	(1)
Using a Master Page to Create Multiple Feedback Form Types	197	(3)
Creating a User Satisfaction Form	200	(3)
Designing User Feedback	201	(2)
Developing Automated Feedback	203	(1)
Creating a Help Request Form	203	(10)
Designing the Request Page	204	(2)
Developing the XML Storage	206	(4)
Transforming the Results with XSLT	210	(3)
Developing a Beneficial Suggestion Form	213	(1)
Deciding between Required and Optional Data	214	(1)
Devising Methods of Reducing Repeat Input	215	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	217	(2)
Developing a Site Search	219	(36)
Understanding the Site Search Types	220	(1)
Creating a Custom Site Search	220	(20)
Developing a Simple Site Search	220	(16)
Defining Preferred Links Based on Site Counters	236	(4)
Using Google to Create a Site Search	240	(9)
Using the Web Service	240	(3)
Performing a Simple SOAP Call	243	(2)
Using a Script to Call an XSLT Page	245	(2)
Translating the Result with XSLT	247	(2)
Discovering Site Maps	249	(5)
Understanding the Differences between a Site Map and a Site Search	250	(1)
Using the Site Navigation Features	250	(2)
Creating a Site Map	252	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	254	(1)
Using Pop-ups and Redirection	255	(28)
Understanding User Concerns over Pop-ups and Redirection	256	(1)
Creating a Pop-up Form	257	(4)
Using Pop-up Forms	261	(14)
Additional Information	261	(8)
Help Pages	269	(2)
User Survey	271	(4)
Using Meta Refresh for Redirection	275	(2)
Employing Server-side Redirection	277	(4)
Understanding How Server-side Redirection Works	278	(1)
Using the Coded Method	279	(1)
Modifying the<customErrors>Element of the WEB.CONFIG File	280	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	281	(2)
Part 4 Working with Dynamic Data	283	(120)
Developing Simple Database Applications	285	(30)
Understanding the New SQL Server 2005 Features	286	(1)
Working with SQL Server 2005	286	(19)
Working with SQL Computer Manager	287	(4)
Using the SQL Server Management Studio	291	(8)
Using the SQLCmd Utility	299	(6)
Creating a Database Connection	305	(5)
Creating a Connection to SQL Server	305	(1)
Creating a Connection to Other DBMSs	306	(1)
Creating a Connection to Microsoft Access Using ODBC	307	(3)
Designing a Database	310	(3)
Developing a SQL Server Database Using the Wizard	311	(1)
Obtaining the Northwind and Pubs Sample Databases	311	(2)
Relying on Code-free Data Binding	313	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	314	(1)
Using SQL Server 2005 Efficiently	315	(44)
Accessing the Database from Visual Studio	316	(13)
Using the Server Explorer	316	(6)
Creating Database Diagrams	322	(1)
Using the Table Designer Toolbar	323	(2)
Using the Data Design Toolbar	325	(1)
Using the Query Designer Toolbar	326	(3)
Creating a Blank Database	329	(4)
Adding the Database	329	(2)
Designing the Tables	331	(2)
Assigning the Relationships	333	(1)
Creating and Accessing Stored Procedures	333	(20)
Working with Stored Procedures	333	(4)
Modifying Stored Procedures	337	(1)
Creating New Stored Procedures	338	(14)
Developing Stored Procedures with NET	352	(1)
Learning More about Stored Procedures	353	(1)
Using Views	353	(1)
Using the View Designer Toolbar	354	(1)
Creating a View	354	(1)
Using XML Support	354	(3)
Creating an XML Index	355	(1)
Using the XML Data Toolbar	355	(1)
Using the XML Schema Toolbar	356	(1)
Defining an XML Schema	357	(1)
Using the XML Control	357	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	357	(2)
Creating an ASP.NET Crystal Reports Web Site	359	(22)
Creating the RPT File	359	(18)
Adding the Crystal Report	360	(1)
Selecting the Database	360	(3)
Choosing the Data	363	(6)
Working with Field Explorer	369	(2)
Formatting Report Entries	371	(2)
Setting the Report Options	373	(1)
Inserting and Removing Fields	374	(2)
Inserting and Removing Sections	376	(1)
Developing the Output Page	377	(2)
Using the CrystalReportSource Control	378	(1)
Using the CrystalReportViewer Control	378	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	379	(2)
Developing Multi-tier Applications	381	(22)
Binding with Middle Tier Objects	381	(16)
Understanding the Middle Tier	382	(1)
Creating Direct Connections	383	(4)
Developing Web Service Connections	387	(10)
Working with Multiple Device Types	397	(5)
Understanding WAP/WML, XHTML Mobile, and cHTML	398	(1)
Using the ContentPager Control	399	(2)
Working with Emulators	401	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	402	(1)
Part 5 Developing Full-blown Web Applications	403	(120)
Designing Dynamic Pages with Pizzazz	405	(44)
Combining Themes, Scripts, and Other Techniques	406	(6)
Avoiding Pizzazz Overkill	406	(1)
Using Layout, Themes, and Code Behind Effectively	407	(5)
Creating Special Effects	412	(14)
Mouseover with Internet Explorer and Older Browsers	412	(3)
Mouseover with Newer Browsers	415	(1)
Presentation	416	(4)
Selection Using Scripts	420	(2)
Progressive Input Using Scripts	422	(2)
Selection and Progressive Input with ASP.NET	424	(1)
Understanding the Ever Changing Browser Playing Field	425	(1)
Creating a Dynamic Presentation	426	(5)
Using the Substitution Control	426	(3)
Using the AdRotator Control	429	(2)
Working with WebParts	431	(6)
Dressing Up the WebParts	431	(2)
Using the BehaviorEditorPart Control	433	(2)
Using the DeclarativeCatalogPart and ImportCatalogPart Controls	435	(1)
Understanding How Much Customization to Provide	436	(1)
Working with Media	437	(10)
Media Uses	437	(2)
Animated GIFs	439	(2)
Audio	441	(1)
Video	442	(4)
Interactive	446	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	447	(2)
Working with Client-side Controls	449	(32)
Understanding User Concerns about Controls	449	(1)
Creating a Control	450	(9)
Understanding the Difference between Controls and Components	451	(1)
Designing a Control	451	(4)
Designing a Component	455	(4)
Deploying a Component or Control to the Client	459	(16)
Working with the ActiveX Control Test Container	460	(5)
Creating the<Object>Tag	465	(1)
Working with the Microsoft Installer	465	(3)
Signing the MSI File	468	(2)
Registering the Component or Control	470	(2)
Setting .NET Security	472	(3)
Considering the Security Issues of Using Controls	475	(3)
Using the MakeCert Utility	475	(1)
Using the Certification Authority Utility	476	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	478	(3)
Creating a Shopping Cart Application	481	(42)
Understanding the Alternatives to a Custom Application	481	(3)
Alternative Uses of Shopping Cart Applications	482	(1)
Sidestepping the Pitfalls	483	(1)
Getting a Complete Solution	483	(1)
Obtaining Application Components	484	(1)
Developing a Merchandizing Plan	484	(5)
Creating a Web Site Layout	485	(1)
Presenting the Product	485	(1)
Developing the Product Data Flow	486	(1)
Tracking User Data	487	(1)
Getting the Payment	487	(2)
Creating the Required Databases	489	(3)
Product Listing	489	(1)
Customers	490	(1)
Orders	491	(1)
Defining Table Relationships	492	(1)
Designing Appropriate Management Applications	492	(17)
Choosing Management Tasks	493	(2)
Displaying the Data	495	(2)
Changing Pages	497	(1)
Changing Modes	498	(2)
Creating New Records	500	(4)
Updating Records	504	(3)
Deleting Records	507	(2)
Creating the Front End Pages	509	(13)
Viewing a List of Products	509	(3)
Displaying Product Specifics	512	(2)
Logging the User into the System	514	(2)
Displaying the Shopping Basket	516	(3)
Making the Sale	519	(3)
Defining Your Development Goals	522	(1)
Part 6 The Finishing Touches: Debug, Secure, and Distribute Your Application	523	(138)
Debugging Your Applications	525	(20)
Understanding Why Debugging Is Important	525	(9)
Considering Syntax Errors	526	(1)
Considering Compile Errors	527	(1)
Considering Runtime Errors	528	(2)
Considering Semantic Errors	530	(1)
Using the Error Lookup Utility	531	(1)
Locating Hidden Errors	532	(2)
Using the Visual Web Developer 2005 Debugging Features	534	(9)
Using the Debug Toolbar	534	(1)
Using the Immediate Window	535	(1)
Using the Command Window	536	(1)
Using the Output Window	537	(2)
Using the Error List Window	539	(1)
Using the Locals Window	540	(2)
Using the Watch Window	542	(1)
Using the Call Stack Window	542	(1)
Managing Breakpoints	543	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	544	(1)
Designing Secure Applications	545	(34)
Understanding the Common Security Issues	545	(7)
Considering the Security Issues That .NET Resolves	546	(1)
Determining Where .NET Can't Help	547	(5)
Creating a Security Plan	552	(2)
Configuring ASP.NET	554	(15)
Working with the Configuration Web Site	554	(5)
Using the Login Controls	559	(10)
Checking All Incoming Data	569	(7)
An Overview of the Validators	570	(2)
Using Validators in an Application	572	(4)
Hardening Your Applications against Outside Intrusion	576	(1)
Preventing Data Leaks	576	(1)
Encrypting Your Data	577	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	577	(2)
Optimizing Your Applications	579	(18)
Working with Performance Counters	580	(3)
Understanding Performance Counters	580	(1)
Using Standard Performance Counters	581	(1)
Using .NET Specific Performance Counters	581	(2)
Creating Custom Performance Counters	583	(10)
Defining the Custom Performance Counter	584	(5)
Creating an IAsyncResult Class	589	(2)
Adding the Performance Counter to Your Application	591	(1)
Testing Your Application	591	(1)
Avoiding Performance Counter Woes	592	(1)
Analyzing Your Application	593	(2)
Using Code Analysis	593	(1)
Using the Performance Wizard	594	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	595	(2)
Creating Downloadable Applications	597	(32)
Considering Potential Security Problems	598	(1)
Considering Client-side Setup and Configuration Issues	599	(2)
Using the Class Diagram (CD) File	601	(2)
Creating Standard Components	603	(4)
Designing the Component	603	(2)
Adding the Component to a Web Page	605	(2)
Creating Standard Controls	607	(9)
Designing the Control	607	(6)
Adding the Control to a Web Page	613	(3)
Using the FileUpload Control	616	(2)
Designing Custom SmartTags	618	(8)
Adding Standard SmartTags to a Web Page	619	(6)
Getting Pre-built SmartTags	625	(1)
Developing Downloadable Application Alternatives	626	(1)
Defining Your Development Goals	627	(2)
Creating Accessible Pages	629	(32)
Reasons to Design with Accessibility in Mind	629	(2)
Making Controls Accessible	631	(5)
Adding Accessibility Attributes to Standard Controls	632	(2)
Using Alternative Attributes to Improve Accessibility	634	(1)
Using Alternative Tags to Improve Accessibility	635	(1)
Organizing the Web Page	636	(8)
Working with Forms	636	(3)
Working with Tables	639	(5)
Working with Graphics	644	(3)
Using the<NoScript>Tag	647	(5)
Testing Your Page for Accessibility Errors	652	(7)
Using the Visual Studio Built-in Checks	654	(2)
W3C HTML Validation	656	(1)
Using Bobby to Test Accessibility	657	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	659	(2)
Part 7 Application Development Within the Corporate Environment	661	(74)
Developing Interoperable Applications	663	(16)
Understanding the .NET/Java Development Scenario	663	(3)
An Overview of the Corporate Mixed Language Environment	664	(1)
Developing Reliable Mixed Language Solutions	664	(2)
Using the Web Services Solution	666	(3)
Using the Bridging Solution	669	(2)
An Overview of JNBridge	669	(1)
Installing JNBridge	670	(1)
Creating a Bridged Application	670	(1)
Using the Cross-Compiler Solution	671	(6)
An Overview of Visual MainWin	672	(1)
Installing Visual MainWin	672	(2)
Adding IBM WebSphere Support to Visual Studio	674	(1)
Creating the Cross-Compiled Application	675	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	677	(2)
Using the Team Development Tools	679	(22)
Understanding the Visual Studio 2005 Team Features	680	(2)
Working with Visual SourceSafe (VSS)	682	(14)
Administering VSS	682	(6)
Adding VSS to a Solution	688	(2)
Working with VSS Projects	690	(5)
Using Visual SourceSafe Explorer	695	(1)
Working with Distributed System Designers	696	(4)
Using the Application Connection Diagram	696	(2)
Using the Logical Datacenter Diagram	698	(1)
Using the System Diagram	698	(2)
Defining Your Development Goals	700	(1)
Converting Visual Studio 2003 Applications	701	(16)
Understanding the Process Is One Way	701	(6)
Deciding Whether You Want to Make a Change	702	(1)
Performing the Conversion	703	(1)
Understanding the Conversion Process	704	(3)
Overcoming Potential Conversion Problems	707	(2)
Considering Deprecated Features	707	(2)
Considering Difficult Conversion Issues	709	(1)
Testing the Converted Application	709	(1)
Exporting Templates	710	(6)
Creating a Project Template	711	(2)
Creating an Item Template	713	(3)
Defining Your Development Goals	716	(1)
Moving to Visual Studio 2005	717	(18)
Preserving Your Code	717	(7)
Moving the Code to IIS	718	(3)
Creating a Solution File	721	(1)
Fixing FrontPage Server Extension Problems	722	(2)
Testing Code in the New Environment	724	(1)
Compiling Your Code Using ASPNet_Compiler.EXE	724	(1)
Fixing File Association Problems	725	(8)
Using the ASPNet_RegIIS Utility	726	(4)
Using the ASPNet_RegSQL Utility	730	(3)
Defining Your Development Goals	733	(2)
Appendices	735	(24)
Appendix A A Guide to Common Development Errors	735	(10)
Plan before You Write Code	735	(1)
Avoid Performance Bottlenecks	736	(1)
Use Page.IsPostBack to Control Resource Use	736	(1)
Perform Client-side Validation	736	(1)
Save the View State Only When Needed	737	(1)
Set the Session State	738	(1)
Use Pure HTML Whenever Possible	739	(1)
Keep Your Data Safe	739	(1)
Checking Every Input	740	(1)
Verifying Every Output	741	(1)
Work Smarter, Not Harder	741	(1)
Try the HttpServerUtility.Transfer Method	742	(1)
Use Exceptions Carefully	742	(1)
Use All Available Resources	742	(1)
Rely on SQL Server Stored Procedures	743	(1)
Precompile the Application	743	(2)
Appendix B Working with Common Character Codes	745	(8)
Direct Replacement Using a Chart	745	(4)
Using Direct JavaScript Code	749	(1)
Using Indirect JavaScript Code	749	(4)
Appendix C 52 Indispensable Visual Studio Tricks and Techniques	753	(6)
Glossary	759	(30)
Index	789