In-Depth
Books: Develop Network Programs in .NET
Network Programming in .NET: With C# and Visual Basic .NET shows you how to accomplish network-based programming in .NET using well-known protocols or ones you create yourself.
Let's say you have an application that needs to communicate with another application over the network. Network Programming in .NET: With C# and Visual Basic .NET shows you how to accomplish network-based programming using well-known protocols or ones you create yourself. The book uses VB.NET and C# examples, but C++ users can follow along easily.
The author Fiach Reid covers a lot of material and does a good job of using examples for each topic covered. Junior programmers will learn the groundwork for the rest of the book in the first few chapters, which discuss streams and sockets. Next, Reid discusses well-known protocols, such as HTTP, SMTP and FTP, then begins to discuss more advanced topics. An entire chapter is devoted to security, which is something any network application should consider. Reid also covers asymmetric and symmetric encryption, and when to use one vs. the other.
A section on Microsoft Passport is extremely easy to follow, and of particular interest if your Internet-based apps have a need for user validation or storing user information. Reid also discusses certificates and how to manage them.
Network Programming in .NET also features a section on Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), which gives you a peek into the future of network programming. Reid gives you the knowledge to make some design decisions that will help make your application compatible with changes in the networking protocols. I recommend taking a look at this section regardless of your level of experience.
Network Programming in .NET is great for anyone developing network-based applications. It assumes no network programming experience, so beginners will probably get more out of the first part of the book. Seasoned developers will find useful information in the second half.
Network Programming in .NET: With C# and Visual Basic .NET
by Fiach Reid
Elsevier Digital Press
ISBN: 1555583156
Price: $54.99
Quick Facts: Guide for developing network-based applications using .NET.
Pros: Examples in both C# and VB.NET; easy to follow; discusses Internet Protocol Version 6.
Cons: None.