.NET 3.0/3.5 Architectural Overview: Hands-On

Frequently Asked Questions

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® 2008 Programming: Hands-On, or Course 419, C# Programming: Hands-On, is assumed. Knowledge of .NET Web development at the level of Course 512, Developing ASP.NET Web Applications: Hands-On, 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 What are .NET and the .NET Framework? They are the same thing. The .NET Framework is a programming platform that allows you to build Windows and Web applications that run on Microsoft operating systems. The .NET Framework 3.0 added the following technologies to .NET 2.0: Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) and Cardspace. The .NET Framework 3.5 added Language INtegrated Query (LINQ) and WorkflowServices. WorkflowServices integrates WCF and WF. 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 Object 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 courses that cover LINQ in depth, you may be interested in Course 973, Programming LINQ and C# Extended Features: Hands-On, or Course 974, Programming LINQ with Visual Basic® 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. You may be interested in Course 513, Windows® Communication Foundation (WCF): Creating .NET 3.5 Web Services, for a course that covers WCF in more detail. 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. For more detailed coverage of WF, you may be interested in Course 514, Windows® Workflow Foundation (WF): Hands-On. 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, the latest version of Visual Studio, and .NET 3.5, the latest version of the .NET Framework. I use Visual Studio .NET 2003 or Visual Studio 2005. Will this course be valuable for me? This course, which focuses on the features new 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? Content Hours Introducing .NET 3.0/3.5 1.0 Language Integrated Query (LINQ) 5.5 Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) 4.5 Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) 3.0 Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) 4.0 Silverlight and ASP.NET AJAX 5.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. 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 does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? The following courses further explore each of the technologies covered in Course 976: 973, Programming LINQ and C# Extended Features: Hands-On  974, Programming LINQ with Visual Basic® Extended Features: Hands-On  513, Windows® Communication Foundation (WCF): Creating .NET 3.5 Web Services  514, Windows® Workflow Foundation (WF): 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® 2008 Programming: Hands-On  419, C# Programming: Hands-On  506, Programming Scalable Web Applications with .NET and ASP.NET AJAX: Hands-On  511, .NET Best Practices and Design Patterns: Hands-On  512, Developing ASP.NET Web Applications: Hands-On  977, Building Web Applications with ASP.NET MVC: Hands-On