A pattern-oriented look at LINQ and LINQ-to-SQL from within Web and Silverlight applications

Summary

The vast majority of desktop and Web applications are centered around some sort of data repository; more often than not, a relational database. For years, architects have been designing applications modeling the domain of the problem through objects. Inside these objects there were connections to data access components doing the dirty work of interfacing the database and persisting the object model to a relational schema. While this approach is still the most recommended one for complex, large, durable, and enterprise-class applications, it might be too costly for simpler scenarios. And applications that fall under the umbrella of “simpler scenarios” are more numerous and are used more frequently. 

LINQ, that is Language INtegrated Query, was created to address the need these applications have for a powerful, yet simple, set of tools to operate on data stores at a higher conceptual level. LINQ was created to give applications a chance to stop having to deal with opaque command strings and replace them with native operators in the programming language. So the C# and Visual Basic compilers in the .NET Framework 3.5 support a new extended syntax that makes it possible to query a configured data store without resorting to an ad hoc API such as ADO.NET.

LINQ is not just for databases. There are a few different flavors of LINQ for distinct query-able data sources: SQL Server databases, XML documents, DataSet objects, and managed collections. You can use a LINQ query-able data container from within any kind of .NET 3.5 application, including Windows, WPF, ASP.NET and Silverlight applications. This seminar guides you through the characteristics of the LINQ platform and focuses especially on LINQ-to-SQL. You’ll get an annotated overview of the patterns that have inspired the LINQ-to-SQL API and the key facts you have to know about it. The second part of the seminar covers using LINQ-to-SQL from ASP.NET 3.5 and Silverlight with the tools and facilities that these development platforms offer.

Prerequisites

The workshop is for both developers and architects of .NET solutions, especially for those with a strong Web interest. Familiarity with the ASP.NET runtime and programming model is assumed, but the seminar isn’t certainly worthless for developers focused on desktop platforms such Windows Forms or WPF. The overall level is intermediate. Although it is not supposed to be a Step-by-Step product, the seminar will also have a value for beginners, because it puts LINQ and the new set of tools for data access into perspective thus giving attendees a learning path to follow. At the same time, analyzing LINQ with an eye at common-use design patterns and mapping techniques may increase the knowledge of it that experts already hold by adding a new, or different, angle to look at it.

Trainer

The workshop will be run by Dino Esposito. Dino is the author of Programming ASP.NET 3.5 Core Reference (Microsoft Press, 2008) and other best-selling books such as Introducing ASP.NET AJAX (Microsoft Press, 2007) and Programming Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 Applications—Advanced Topics (Microsoft Press, 2006). He’s also the author of the Cutting Edge column on MSDN Magazine and a frequent speaker at industry events worldwide, including Microsoft TechEd, DevConnections and, in Europe, DevWeek and Basta. 

Duration

1 day

	Agenda
Day 1	Managing Data in Web Enterprise Applications
1.1	All You Can Learn About LINQ in One Hour
		Queryable data sources
		Language integrated keywords
		Flavors of LINQ: XML, Objects, DataSets
		And, of course, LINQ-to-SQL
		Introduction to the data context
1.2	LINQ-to-SQL and Data Source Patterns
		The DataContext class
		Data loading strategies
		Extensibility of the DataContext class
		ActiveRecord or Data Mapper?
		LINQ-to-SQL is mostly for the data tier
1.3	Data-driven ASP.NET (AJAX) Applications
		LINQ and ASP.NET 3.5 (and Visual Studio 2008)
		The LinqDataSource control
		The ListView control
		Top it off with partial rendering
1.4	Data-driven Silverlight 2.0 Applications
		The Single-Page-Interface Model
		Data fetching
		Data binding
		Remote connections

Date:       Tuesday 27th May 2008
 
Venue:    Alexander Hotel - Merrion Square - Dublin 2
 
Time:      9am - 5pm

Cost:        Eur 275.00
 
Space limited - Book Early! 
 
If you wish to book a place, please contact Aoife on (01) 236 6636 or email aoife@ComputerJobs.ie The cost is 275 Eur per person which is strictly payable in advance by cheque/credit card.  Cancellations received less than 24 hours before the event regretfully cannot be refunded. Substitutions can be made at any time.
Looking forward to seeing you there

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