.NET 3.0/3.5 Overview: Hands-On

What is this course about?

The .NET Framework has evolved rapidly, and with versions 3.0 and 3.5, introduced advanced and challenging technologies. .NET users may have experience with one or two of these technologies in isolation, but may not be aware of the benefits of integrating these technologies.

This course concentrates on how to apply .NET 3.0/3.5 technologies as an integrated whole to simplify the creation of complex distributed applications. Applications are built using Visual Studio 2008 and either Visual Basic or C#.

This course does not provide an introduction to .NET or cover any single technology in detail. However, you gain a working introduction to the .NET technologies, including LINQ, WPF, WCF and WF, and an understanding of how they can be used to build sophisticated modern applications.

Who will benefit from this course?

Those who want an introductory overview of the .NET 3.0/3.5 technologies. This course does not go into detail on each technology, but is appropriate for those interested in a high-level overview of how the technologies work together.

What background do I need?

Programming experience at the level of Course 503, Visual Basic^® Programming for .NET: Hands-On, or Course 419, C# Programming: Hands-On, is assumed. Knowledge of .NET Web development at the level of Course 512, ASP.NET WebForms: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, is helpful, but not necessary. For example, you should be able to:

• Program in Visual Basic or C#
• Build Windows and or Web applications using Visual Studio
• Construct classes
• Program event handlers

Will I have a thorough knowledge of .NET 3.0/3.5 technologies after taking this course?

This course is intended to be an overview of the major technologies of .NET 3.0/3.5 and does not go into depth on any one technology. It does provide a working knowledge of the technologies and an understanding of how they can be integrated to build a system. Each of the technologies is covered in depth by individual Learning Tree courses.

What is LINQ?

Language INtegrated Query (LINQ) adds general purpose querying to .NET. It extends the syntax and semantics of Visual Basic and C# with a series of query keywords. LINQ to Objects allows for the sorting, filtering and aggregating of objects. LINQ to SQL provides a full capability for managing database access within C# and Visual Basic. It also supports the infrastructure for object-relational translation including update, insert, delete and implicit support for identity maps. For a course that covers LINQ in depth, you may be interested in Course 973, Programming C# Extended Features: Hands-On.

What is Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)?

Windows Presentation Foundation is the next-generation toolkit for developing sophisticated user interfaces (UIs) from Microsoft. UIs are developed in an XML-based language called XAML, and UI behaviors are programmed using a .NET language such as C# or Visual Basic. WPF UIs can be deployed as stand-alone Windows programs (similar to Windows Forms applications) or Internet Explorer applications. WPF UIs can even run on other platforms such as the Macintosh OS X by using a new browser plug-in called Silverlight. WPF applications can be used in conjunction with Windows Forms for desktop development and can also be added to ASP.NET Web sites. For a course that covers WPF in depth, you may be interested in Course 975, Windows^® Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Silverlight Introduction: Hands-On.

What is XAML?

XAML stands for eXtensible Application Markup Language and is an XML-based language that is used to create WPF user interfaces with markup. For a course that covers XAML in more detail, consider Course 975, Windows^® Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Silverlight Introduction: Hands-On.

What is Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)?

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is part of the .NET Frameworks 3.0 and 3.5 and is a unified network programming model that enables cross-application and cross-platform communication. With WCF, programmers can more easily and quickly build SOA applications.

What is Windows Workflow Foundation (WF)?

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) is part of the .NET Framework 3.0 and 3.5 and offers a programming model, engine and tools to build workflow-enabled applications that model business processes.

What is Silverlight?

Silverlight is a cross-platform, cross-browser plug-in for running .NET applications on Windows and Mac using Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox browsers. For a course that covers Silverlight in depth, you may be interested in Course 975, Windows^® Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Silverlight Introduction: Hands-On.

Which version of Visual Studio and .NET is used in this course?

This course uses Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5.

I use Visual Studio .NET 2003 or Visual Studio 2005. Will this course be valuable for me?

This course, which focuses on the features introduced with VS 2008, is most suited to someone who is either using VS 2008 or considering moving to it. Those using VS 2005 who have downloaded the available updates and extensions may benefit, but they should keep in mind that the course is targeted to VS 2008 users.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is hands-on?

Approximately 50 percent of this course is spent participating in hands-on exercises, which are presented in Visual Basic or C#. Exercises include:

• Retrieving and updating data with LINQ
• Creating WPF user interfaces
• Building and consuming WCF services
• Orchestrating long-running business processes with persistent state machine workflows
• Calling WCF workflow services from Silverlight
• Animating Silverlight with XAML

How is this course different from Course 2620, .NET 4 Programming for Existing .NET Developers: Hands-On?

Course 2620 is a two-day course for experienced developers and covers how the new features of .NET 4 can be used to enhance existing applications. These features include Entity Framework, Ajax, jQuery and Silverlight 4. Course 2620 uses Visual Studio 2010.

Course 976 is a four-day course that covers the main features of the .NET Framework 3.0/3.5. These features include WCF, WF, WPF, LINQ, LINQ to SQL and Silverlight 3. Course 976 uses Visual Studio 2008.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

The following courses further explore each of the technologies covered in Course 976:

• 973, Programming C# Extended Features: Hands-On 
• 975, Windows® Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Silverlight Introduction: Hands-On 

Other related courses include:

• 502, Programming with .NET: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 503, Visual Basic® Programming for .NET: Hands-On 
• 419, C# Programming: Hands-On 
• 506, Building Web Applications with ASP.NET and Ajax: Hands-On 
• 511, .NET Best Practices and Design Patterns: Hands-On 
• 512, ASP.NET WebForms: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction 
• 977, Building Web Applications with ASP.NET MVC: Hands-On 
• 2615, Programming SharePoint® 2010 Applications with .NET: Hands-On