Beginning Expression Web, Wrox
Microsoft .NET Framework, ASP.NET, Visual C# (CSharp, C Sharp, C-Sharp) Developer Training, Visual Studio
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C# Online.NET Book Review
For years, FrontPage was criticized for generating poor and extraneous HTML; and, FrontPage users were regarded as second class citizens in Web design circles. Expression Web is Microsoft's new Web design tool which will supplant FrontPage. Expression Web is a professional quality tool without the professional tool learning curve. It is designed for developing standards-based Web sites. Expression Web boasts robust Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) support—far superior to that of Dreamweaver or any other Web site design tool. Using Expression Web may seem like maintaining your Web site with Microsoft Word; but, it sure beats using FrontPage.
The book offers comprehensive coverage of Expression Web features. Although there is not that much explicit mention of either, ASP.NET 2.0 and .NET Framework form the foundation of Expression Web.
The book is replete with screen shots as befits a book about Web page design and a WYSIWYG editor. Because the point of Expression Web is that it generates the behind-the-scenes code, there are few source code examples of any kind. The focus is on how to get Expression Web to render faithfully through manipulating its commands, controls, and options.
There are no extended examples—such as building a Hobby Store Web site—which could graudally involve the reader in ever more complex activiites. Rather, the book is organized into functional areas, e.g. Working with Images, Media, and Hyperlinks. And, the Expression Web features which bear upon that area are explained.
There are frequent "Try It Out" segments which offer the reader the chance to sit down at the computer and run through an example of the current topic. By taking advantage of them and actually performing the exercises, the reader will quickly gain familiarity and prowess with Expression Web.
The book requires .NET Framework 2.0, Internet Information Services (IIS), Expression Web, and database management software like SQL Server 2005 Express Edition—all of which can be downloaded either free or on a trial basis.
The author's style here is conversational if rather dry. He has a good feel for Expression Web as well as for what one will want to do with it. Our author co-wrote the well-received Build Your Own ASP.NET 2.0 Web Site.
Bottom line
Beginning Expression Web is a great introduction and tutorial to the new Microsoft Web editor and FrontPage replacement.
Publisher's description
Microsoft® Expression Web gives you the tools to develop sophisticated sites that integrate standardized CSS layout with ASP.NET 2.0, XML, and SQL Server 2005. Written by an experienced ASP.NET and Dreamweaver Web developer, this book shows you how to take advantage of all of Expression Web’s innovative features to create a memorable online experience.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Working with Images, Media, and Hyperlinks
- Page Formatting Using Cascading Style Sheets
- Web Page Structuring Techniques by Using Tables
- Advanced Page Structuring Techniques by Using Layers and CSS
- Designing Table-less Web Sites by Using Layers and CSS
- Adding Interactivity with Behaviors including Call Script, Check Browser, Check Plug-in, Go To Url, Open Browser Window, and Preload Images
- Working with HTML Forms and Form Controls including input text and password, checkboxes, radio buttons, drop down boxes, and testing your forms
- Introduction to Web Application Development including client side, server side, and .NET introductions
- Accessing and Displaying Database Data including connecting to both Access and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition databases and working with DataSource Controls, List Bound controls, and data controls
- Inserting, Editing, and Deleting Database Data including working with the FormView and GridView controls
- Validating User Input with RequiredFieldValidator, CompareValidator, RangeValidator, ValidationSummary, RegularExpressionValidator, and CustomValidator controls
- Securing Your Web Applications including configuring application services and forms authentication
- Working with XML Data including binding XML data and working with RSS
- Building Accessible and Standards-Compliant Web Sites including accessibility testing
From the back cover
You now have the power to create dynamic Web sites that are fueled by your imagination. Microsoft® Expression® Web gives you the tools to develop sophisticated sites that integrate standardized CSS layout with ASP.NET 2.0, XML, and SQL Server 2005. Written by an experienced ASP.NET and Dreamweaver Web developer, this book shows you how to take advantage of all of Expression Web's innovative features to create a memorable online experience.
Zak Ruvalcaba provides you with expert tips and techniques on Web page structuring, page formatting using style sheets, utilizing HTML forms, and working with XML data. As you progress through each chapter, you'll discover how to apply this information in order to design and develop new Web applications. Task-oriented examples are also integrated throughout the pages book that you can leverage as you build your own cutting-edge, standards-based Web site.
What you will learn from this book
Strategies for getting the most out of images, media, and hyperlinks Methods for using layers and CSS to create advanced page structuring How to attract visitors by adding interactivity with behaviors and Web components Ways to incorporate HTML forms and form controls How to access and display database data Techniques for inserting, editing, and deleting database data Tips for working with forms authentication and securing your Web applications
Who this book is for
This book is for beginning- to intermediate-level Web developers who want to create professional, standards-compliant Web sites and applications quickly.
About the author(s)
Zak Ruvalcaba has been researching, designing, and developing for the Web since 1995. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from National University in San Diego. He is a Macromedia Certified Professional (MMCP), a Microsoft Certified Application Developer for .NET (MCAD), and a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer for .NET (MCSD). He teaches and holds design lectures on various technologies and tools including Dreamweaver, Flash, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, and Web Services.
Table of Contents (abbreviated)
- Introduction.
- Chapter 1: Introducing Microsoft Expression Web.
- Chapter 2: Building a Web Page.
- Chapter 3: Working with Web Sites.
- Chapter 4: Working with Images, Media, and Hyperlinks.
- Chapter 5: Page Formatting Using Cascading Style Sheets.
- Chapter 6: Web Page Structuring Techniques by Using Tables.
- Chapter 7: Advanced Page Structuring Techniques by Using Layers and CSS.
- Chapter 8: Adding Interactivity with Behaviors.
- Chapter 9: Working with HTML Forms and Form Controls.
- Chapter10: Introduction to Web Application Development.
- Chapter 11: Accessing and Displaying Database Data.
- Chapter 12: Inserting, Editing, and Deleting Database Data.
- Chapter 13: Validating User Input.
- Chapter 14: Securing Your Web Applications.
- Chapter 15: Working with XML Data.
- Chapter 16: Building Accessible and Standards-Compliant Web Sites.
