Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books on .NET
Review: Although the title indicates that this is a book purely about database programming, don't let it fool you. This book is filled with much more information than just database programming. You learn how to build ASP.NET applications, work with customized user controls in VB.NET. XML also gets a lot of coverage in this book and you learn, step-by-step how to build a custom XSL stylesheet. The authors walk you through building the template and XPath queries. XPath isn't an easy language, by any means, but the examples step you through from the simple to the complex, giving you indepth information along the way. Another thing that I was really surprised with was the fact that all the examples I've tried so far work. This is really surprising in a programming book, especially one that's written in time to be published right when .NET launched. I'm very impressed with the quality of the code, as well as the way this book is written.
Rating: 
Summary: Mastering? What, exactly?
Review: First of all, the title is a bit pretentious.
Going through this book, you won't find much about as much as connecting to an Oracle, Sybase or db2 database. I guess, they are minor players in the eyes of the authors/publisher.Secondly, coverage of development for the "Windows Forms" environment is very limited, compared to development for the browser and, generally, Net. You might not find out, how to map and bind fields in an Access database to a textbox on a "Windows Forms" form, but you will be able to create a shopping cart application. Thirdly, a lot of space is dedicated to general notions, database theory and normalization (which, by the way, is much better covered in books dedicated to relational database theory), while a lot of info dedicated to XML was squeezed out of the book, to the CD only, or just completely missing (like hardcore info on working with Access). If your database is SQL Server, and your playground is the Net, buy the book. Otherwise, check it out in the bookstore, and JUDGE FOR YOURSELF ... The book itself, in material and workmanship, is somewhat flimsy, has a cheap feel to it, and is falling apart after about a month of casual use on a programmer's desk.
Rating:
Summary: Mastering? What, exactly?
Review: First of all, the title is a bit pretentious.
Going through this book, you won't find much about as much as connecting to an Oracle, Sybase or db2 database. I guess, they are minor players in the eyes of the authors/publisher. Secondly, coverage of development for the "Windows Forms" environment is very limited, compared to development for the browser and, generally, Net. You might not find out, how to map and bind fields in an Access database to a textbox on a "Windows Forms" form, but you will be able to create a shopping cart application. Thirdly, a lot of space is dedicated to general notions, database theory and normalization (which, by the way, is much better covered in books dedicated to relational database theory), while a lot of info dedicated to XML was squeezed out of the book, to the CD only, or just completely missing (like hardcore info on working with Access). If your database is SQL Server, and your playground is the Net, buy the book. Otherwise, check it out in the bookstore, and JUDGE FOR YOURSELF ... The book itself, in material and workmanship, is somewhat flimsy, has a cheap feel to it, and is falling apart after about a month of casual use on a programmer's desk.
Rating:
Summary: Very Insightful
Review: I am new to the .NET world. This book gave great guidance on knowing when, why, and how to make the switch over from OLE DB and COM. Well worth buying if you want to know how to build systems using the new .NET architecture. This book is great because it doesn't just dwell on syntactical differences, like most .NET books do. Instead, it gives you both conceptual on how to architect a system and practical information on how to implement the system. You understand where you should put your .NET code - I was especially excited to see a chapter on deployment, which often gets overlooked. A lot of books tell you how to build a system, but leave out the part on what you do once it's built. This book covers all the bases. My copy is completely filled with post-it notes.
Rating: 
Summary: I did not understand it
Review: I did not like this book to much.
it gives you information that you dont need
and not enough information that you do need i could not get some directions to work right Got to give it credit to teach in VB and not in C# it did not work well with my learning style
Rating:
Summary: I did not understand it
Review: I did not like this book to much.
it gives you information that you dont need
and not enough information that you do need i could not get some directions to work right Got to give it credit to teach in VB and not in C# it did not work well with my learning style
Rating:
Summary: Great book for biginners or intermediate programmers
Review: I have been programming in VB for about 9 years now - 4 years in VB.Net. Whether you are biginner or intermediate, you really need this book if you want to master the concept and skills of programming in vb.net. Even advanced programmers will discover things they have never thought about using this book. I am really impressed. This is the book that covers rearly all aspects of VB.Net and .Net framework en general that you as programmer will need to develop a professional programme. If you get this book, I sueggest that you read all chapters. Even the chapters that you think you are familiar with the topic; you will be surprised what you will discover that you did not know. If you are familar with the topic, just scan it and see.
This is a great book
Rating:
Summary: More than just SQL !
Review: I picked up this book thinking that it would help me design ASP.NET systems with a SQL backend, but found even more than I expected! There's two whole chapters dedicated to just XML and it gives you great insight on how to use x/path and x/slt practically. A lot of other books seem to give text book examples and syntax. I can look these up on the web. This book is much better because you get real-life walkthroughs and working projects. It seems to avoid the trap of being a mere reference book.
Rating:
Summary: Great book.
Review: I think that a book for computer programming can only be evaluated by the manner how we use it.
Almost a year passed since I bought the Mastering Visual Basic .NET Database Programming and this book is still on my desk and is used regularly for advice.
The book covers nearly all areas of .Net Framework technology and it is exceptionally useful for people who like me do not have a programming, but rather an engineering background.
As marine engineer I can say that this book helped me a lot in my job.
I am sure that a lot of my colleagues are a little bit upset about the continuous changes of the software environment.
The people who write the software for the marine industry did not completely understand the marine terminology and engineering logic on board.
As customers we still cannot find a 'ready product' that is suitable for our purpose.
I presume that a lot of my colleagues try to write their own applications as is requested on board. Therefore I would say without hesitation that this book is exactly written for people with a similar background to mine in an exceptionally simple and comprehensible language.
Of course the technology is changing by hour, but the basic knowledge one should know can be found in this book.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING BOOK FOR ALL DEVELOPERS!
Review: It's the best book that money can buy for the all levels of a programmer . . . it's well-written and the code on the CD works great!
It's also great for people who've already designed a lot of database systems. It's filled with lots of tips and tricks for tuning your system.
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