Beginning C# Databases: From Novice to Professional

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 brief 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.

This is by far the best book I have found regarding this subject. It has great coding examples. It's easy to understand. It's perfect!

Take any programming books and one thing you must know before purchasing is what background the authors are assuming about you. Many database programming books already assume a level of proficiency with databases. However, with this book, the assumption is you know NOTHING about databases. (You do, however, need to have some basic C# skills). I like the teaching philosophy it uses - you will code a short ADO.NET program in chapter 4, the authors will then do a line-by-line exposition and then spend FOUR more chapters (chapters 5 to 8) into an in-depth but understandable explaination on the key concepts in chapter 4. So you get a big picture of what you're doing and then going deep to understand the micro-aspect of it. If you've been programming C# for awhile and intend to venture into the marvelous world of databases - this is THE book to begin.

There is a nice introduction in this book that sets up the basics of .NET access right in the first chapter. It then drills into ADO.NET, commands and finally into readers. There are a few chapters on Windows Forms and ASP.NET before the author gets into stored procedures. These could probably have been dropped, but they don't distract too much. The section on stored procedures is a little scanty. Definitely a good book for someone just starting with database access in .NET who wants a step-by-step walkthrough. There is a small section on database fundamentals, but I wouldn't look to the book to teach you that. Best to get a book on database basics if you don't understand the fundamentals.

If you are new to working with database servers this is a great place to start. It begins by showing you how to install MSDE and takes you all the way through developing windows and web applications that access the Northwind database. There is a lot of code in the book but when you're beginning, you need to look at code. The full source is listed and then it takes you step by step to show you what it's doing. Definitely download the code samples. There are a couple of great tools. If you don't have access to SQL Enterprise Manager, you will find them very useful! The book flows from topic to topic very smoothly and stays on the subject. It is such an easy read. It will definitely stay in my library as a reference on SQL Server.