This book presents myriad
fascinating concepts about C# classes. It is classified into three sections,
with each of them converging on distinct facets of classes available in the
.Net framework
The curtains are raised with the
chapter on Threads in Section I, which presents a nascent introduction to this
topic. The topics of Events and Mutexes are also explored in detail.
The next chapter is on the
Internet related classes. Here, the utility of the Web classes and their role in
building server and client applications are highlighted.
The last chapter in this section
takes on a different hue. It encapsulates the crux of writing programs to
implement the concept of 'remoting'. This involves the composition of a client
and a server program on different machines.
The spotlight then moves on to
the concept of Winforms in Section II. This chapter is replete with practical
and useful insights into how Winforms can be put to optimum use in the .Net
world. The C# language provides the facility of generating user-interfaces
having aesthetic appeal, either by implementing the ready-to-use Form Controls,
or by using controls crafted by us, in order to receive inputs from an end
user.
The subsequent chapter in this
section delves upon the Database Controls. This chapter has been sedulously
crafted, to capture the essence of this significant activity and to reveal its
intricate details.
The ubiquitous task of printing
is the focus of the next chapter. The contents of this chapter will equip you
to print output with practiced panache.
The last section is devoted to
XML, which is the most hyped language in the current market scenario. An XML
file embodies an assortment of components, which will be unraveled, one at a
time, in the chapters of this section.
At the outset, the common XML
classes have been highlighted, to provide an introduction to XML concepts,
which are used while programming in the C# language.
The next two chapters focus on
DTD, which is an acronym for Data Type Definition, and also on the XML Data
Document. They provide information on the various elements employed while
generating an XML file.
The topic of XML Documentation
provides a hiatus from the preceding abstruse topics. It has been laced with
effervescent text and examples to liven up the proceedings.
We have applied utmost
perspicacity to ensure that accurate, useful and relevant explanations, laced
with lucid and practical examples, be presented to expound the various concepts
to both, the amateur and the proficient programmer alike.
We assure you that, by the time
you disembark from this intellectual voyage of discovery, the various concepts
that have been presented, are doubtlessly bound to create an indelible imprint
on your minds.
Requirements
The software requirements to
successfully run all the programs in this book are
• Operating System - Windows 2000
• A Web Server preferably Microsoft IIS ver 5.0
• SQLServer 2000 (Evaluation Edition)
• Internet Explorer 5.5
• .Net Framework SDK Beta 2 (111 MB)
Internet Explorer 5.5 can be
downloaded off the Microsoft site
• http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/ie55sp1.htm
Net Framework SDK Beta 2 can be
downloaded off the Microsoft site
• http://download.microsoft.com/download/VisualStudioNET/Trial/2.0/W982KMeXP/EN-US/setup.exe
Alternatively, you can visit the
download section at Microsoft ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/downloads/default.asp
) and download the .Net framework SDK
Beta 2 under the Software Development Kit option.
SQLServer
2000
While installing the evaluation
edition of SQLServer 2000, we have chosen the default selected settings. The
only modification made is in the Authentication Dialog Box.
You see two options
• Windows Authentication mode
• Mixed mode (Windows Authentication and SQL Server Mode)
The default option selected is
Windows Authentication mode. We have instead selected Mixed mode (Windows
Authentication and SQL Server Mode). Once this option is selected, the password
text boxes for the 'sa' user gets activated. As we would prefer using a blank
password in our programs, we select Blank Password. On selecting this option,
the text boxes get disabled again.
Acknowledgements
The many individuals who have worked
together to produce this great work of art and motivated me all the way need a
mention here. Their bright ideas, inspiration, support has made me a lot more
stronger and wiser.
First and foremost, thanks to Manish
Jain, BPB Publications for publishing the book.
To my co-authors, Sonal
and Vinay who have put in a lot of hard work to complete the work
assigned to them.
To Tanuja Sodhi, an
ex-Naval Officer from the first batch of lady officers and an MBA from Jamnalal
Bajaj, for editing the book. She is presently freelancing as a creative writer.
To Altaf Hemani and Kishore
Rohra, for their creativity in designing the cover in a given short time.
Thanks to Manish Purohit
for putting in all the time he had to verify the code with the explanations and
then giving the book a good look and feel.
To Pradeep Mukhi and Shivanand
Shetty, who have always been there, as a source of inspiration and
encouragement.
My Mother, Shana Aunty
and a long list of friends need a mention here for their patience and cooperation
on this book while it was being written.
-Vijay Mukhi