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Windows Phone 7.5 Data Cookbook
I ‘ve recently read “Windows Phone 7.5 Data Cookbook” . The book covers different database related alternatives in a chapter to chapter basis. You can read what you want without having to read the book from cover to cover. Chapters discuss different topics without being dependent on each other’s.
The book mainly targets experienced Windows Phone developers. The book aims at boosting your mobile database development skills. If you are not familiar with programming C#.net, Silverlight and other necessary development skills , then, you have to check some extra books too for the basics. But if you have been writing some Windows Phone applications and had some hard times with the database stuff, then you are in the right place.
The book uses the latest updates in Windows Phone 7.1 SDK that enable developers write applications for the latest version Windows Phone 7.5
The book discusses new stuff like Twitter , Atom and RSS, and mobile specific database connections using JSON, also the conventional powerful SQLite. and SQLCE . LINQ to SQL and ADO.net.
There are some examples using REST and WCF and the new Model View View Model (MVVM ).
The book uses a simple coding style, straight and to the point, without confusing the reader with complex code that doesn’t add a value. After having hands on every topic separately, at the end of each chapter, you have a sum-up sample app where you combine all the knowledge you gained in the chapter in one single app to see how things fit together in the big picture.
The book also uses examples that can be implemented in the real world, so you learn fast, improve your skills, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Although the book is great in discussing the different data alternatives, it should have made a comparison between the different alternatives and discussing pros and cons of each using different case studies showing when to use each alternative rather than another.
Overall: that is a really good book. You can download a sample chapter from the book here.
SQL 2005 Express Edition is Blind
SQL express edition is a very nice Database Engine for developers to work on it while developing their database applications.
My first experience with SQL server was SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition. But, when I began to try the SQL Express editions with Visual Studio Express and began to use the SQL 2005 Express edition, I felt like working BLINDLY !!!! I couldn’t find the Enterprise Manager !!
Well ..
You can download the SQL Server Management Studio Express from (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c243a5ae-4bd1-4e3d-94b8-5a0f62bf7796&displaylang=en )
It gives you the feeling of full power on the database. You aren’t limited to the Database Explorer in the Visual Studio any more ..
Tamer Maher 