Beginning C# 2005 Databases: From Novice to Professional

Is has been awhile since I programmed with databases, so I was looking for a book to help me both refresh and advance my skill set. James Huddleston's "Beginning C# 2005 Databases, From Novice to Professional" is such a book. Having some former experience with DBs, the first 9 chapters are both a quick read and refresher. The "How It Works" were useful and very clear. The later chapters, especially 13 (Exceptions), 15 (Events), and 17 (XML) in relation to C#, were helpful. The last chapter offers a look into the future with LINQ. I would like to thank Mr. Huddleston for writing this book.

I got this book a few weeks ago. I try to jump start my leaning process of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005. In fact, this book is a really good one. This book begins with step-by-step how to set up C# programming and database environment. I like this installation guide since I want to experiment with the exercises in this book and I want to do it right the first time. This book covers fundamental concepts of databases and related data access ADO.Net technology. The author explains very well the following concepts, connections, commands, data readers, data adapters, and data sets, etc. The diagrams in the book really help to understand the relationship between the concepts mentioned above. In addition, the author also includes topics such as transaction, xml, working with text and binary data, and LINQ. I do think the author should include the topic of CLR integration with SQL Server 2005. CLR integration allows you to create database objects including stored procedures, triggers, user-defined functions, UDTs, and aggregates, in ANY .Net languages. CLR provides much more power and flexibility than T-SQL. In addition, CLR integration has other great benefits too. Bottom line. It is a very good introductory book about ADO.Net, SQL, and C#. It is a good reference book for experienced professionals.

The author really explains in detail the in's and out's of dealing with databases from the C# perpective. Not only those he provides the same code which many books do, But he explains in detail what is happening behind the scene. He provides excellent examples of parallel access to the same data source through ADO.net, OleDB, and the old ODBC connections.

Beginning C# 2005 Databases is a superb introduction to SQL database programming. The book operates effectively on three levels: as a conceptual overview of SQL relational databases, as an introduction to Microsoft's ADO.NET architecture, and as a "hands-on" guide to database programming with C#. The structure of the book is exceptionally well thought out and admirably facilitates Huddleston's economical, attention sustaining writing style. The book operates as a tightly organized, multi-pass tour through some world-class database programming scenery. Huddleston picks out the major landmarks, provides the reader with an opportunity to gain some interesting first hand experience, and then revisits each landmark later after the reader is in a position to appreciate how the details fit into the big picture. Chapters 1 and 2 get the reader over the hump of installing Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express (VCSE)and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SSE), two very powerful, freely available products that provide the platform for all of the examples. Chapters 3, 10, 11 and 12 show off the high ground of SQL architecture. Huddleston reveals himself to be an experienced guide with strong opinions about what's worth looking at. His calling attention, if only briefly, to the relational calculus and normalization show a concern for providing the reader with a sophisticated viewpoint and plan for follow-up reading. Chapters 4, 7, 8 and 15 introduce and describe Microsoft's ADO.NET as a platform supporting database applications. To my mind, these are the most difficult sections of the book. Huddleston picks an intelligible path through some very challenging terrain, neither avoiding the hard climbs nor losing the reader in the wasteland of detail. Chapters 5,6, 9, 14 and 16 provide an extended excursion into database programming. Huddleston makes it look easy. With his simple, but well chosen examples, and his streamlined, unadorned code he provides the reader with the templates and tools to set out on her own off road experience. The last two chapters of the book provide tutorials on XML and LINQ, Microsoft's general-purpose query capability. Beginning C# 2005 Databases clearly sets the standard for this class of book. With an expert command of the subject, good judgment about what is important, well-crafted code and a devotion to clarity Huddleston has written a book that should appeal to both novice and professional alike.

I've been a fan of James Huddleston for many years, and his latest book --Beginning C# 2005 Databases -- is a perfect example of WHY! He's one of the most knowledgeable technical professionals I know, and that, combined with his incredible talent for communicating even the most complex technical details in a clear, simple to understand fashion sets him apart from his peers. I recommend this book highly! Best regards, Jacquie Barker -- author of "Beginning Java Objects" and "Taming the Technology Tidal Wave"