Network Programming in .NET: With C# and Visual Basic .NET 1st Edition

This book took me from 0 to 50 on network programming in 1 long day.It is written for someone familiar with .net and wanting to do network programming in .net -- either C# or VB.net.The coverage is very broad -- starting from sockets, to email, to http/web, to encryption, network utilities, etc. Each section is short and sweet, but still specific enough with an example that you feel you can jump in and start coding this.Also, the author is clearly a practioner himself -- this wasn't just reciting the msdn library, this was the tips and tricks on what parts really matter of each aspect of networking, with real life situations.This was one of the top few, if not the best, computer software books I've read, in terms of taking me from virtually no knowledge of a subject (outside of a network theory class a long time ago) to feeling confident that I can use the material in a commercial application.Two drawbacks:- Would have been nice to be able to download the sample code form somewhere as full apps. Retyping it is a bit of a pain.- I'm using the VS 2005 beta and a couple of the namespaces like system.web.mail have been obsoleted.However, if you're trying to learn about networking and using a .net enviornment, this is a good investment of time.

Overall, covers many areas, lacks detailed socket theory, wastes space and no source code.The book covers a lot of stuff that I hadn't anticipated, which I thought was great. The book goes from Streaming, sockets, numerous internet related protocols, multicasting, telephony and MSMQ.The book really lacks detailed explanation on Sockets however there are plenty of code examples to learn from. The samples could use more detailed explanation. They are concise and the few I took the time to type in worked fine.There is no mention of source code being available. I contacted the publisher, Elsevier - Digital Press, and after a 3 day delay said 'the source code is on the inside cover'. No sure what that means I guess I will have to wait another 3 days to find out.One other dislike was the fact that every code snippet is duplicated in each language. The book is intended for non beginners so there should be no need to waste so much space. The second language should be available in a download.I gave the 4 only because of the wide coverage and great theory in these other areas. The book will get you writing apps that can talk to each other over IP.

This book is awsome, I spent money on hireing people to make simple network aps for me that far exceeded the 35ish dollars spend on this book. I have yet to come across a book that "teaches" this well. So far I've understood every thing the author has wrote. Alot of people are upset the source code was not included but personally I dont mind retyping it yourself helps you learn. Again if I could I would rate more stars kudos to the author.

First demo program has two file reading options, a sync read option and an async read operation.Both options lead to exceptions when evoked causing the first "demo" program to hang.There are other bugs in the first program also.He uses an OpenFileDialog control in the program.In one area of the program, he properly references the control using the proper name OpenFileDialog.In another area of the same program, he incorrectly references the OpenFileDialog control using the incorrect reference ofd (Open File Dialog).If you purchase this book, you will have to fix his errors before you can use the demo programs.

This book is highly detailed and technical as you would expect. I did not need all the information it contained, but I got what I needed. I was trying to get my program to call home with a message with out the program owner being aware of it.

excellent

There are few books written lately that provide a very good introduction to the whole world of .NET programming and this may be the best one ever. Even though it was published in 2004, it is still currently a valuable reference for its balanced and comprehensive coverage of .NET networking programming.The current references barely provide glimmers of the overall network design issues that must be covered and may hang up a new design that attempts to provide comprehensive coverage between current networking issues and older fixed coding. Also, Attempts to bridge new C# programs to embedded devices over the internet may also become stalled without the overall picture this reference provides.I am removing on star due to the short size of the section on Sockets which I believe deserved more depth.

Contrary to Tony's experience, I was very quickly contacted by the author and have been told by the author that the link to the source code would be given to anyone with a valid purchase of the book. An electronic copy could also be obtained through the author or his publisher.If you're in need of the source code, please send the author a request. I'm sure he's more than happy to provide it to you.Now it's time to get the book and see if it's any good. ;-)