Professional ASP Data Book

Web database access is a huge subject, since it combines traditional database technology with the newer challenge of designing Web applications. Professional ASP Data Access is for those using Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP) to power dynamic sites. It is aimed at developers who are already familiar with both ASP and database technology. There is specific coverage for Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle 8, IBM's DB2, and the popular open source database MySQL.The opening chapters cover database fundamentals, including design issues, the SQL language and when to use stored procedures and triggers. Next there is an overview of the important Windows database APIs, ODBC, OLE DB and ActiveX Data Objects. The following section tackles architecture, introducing multi-tier applications using COM and Microsoft Transaction Server and explaining how to build data access components with Visual Basic or C++. A further section covers non-relational data, particularly Microsoft and Novell directory services and Microsoft Exchange. There are four chapters on using XML for both data transfer and presentation, followed by an advanced section covering e-commerce, multi-dimensional data, data mining and performance and security issues.Overall this is an excellent hands-on resource for those working seriously with ASP and Microsoft's distributed application architecture. The essentials are covered in detail, while the chapters on more specialist subjects are valuable introductions in areas that are all too often neglected. --Tim AndersonRead More