8 ASP.NET Books Developers Rely On to Build Real-World Apps

What started as Mark J. Price's mission to clarify the evolving landscape of C# and .NET became a detailed guide for programmers looking to master modern app development. You’ll gain a solid grasp of object-oriented programming, learn to write and debug functions, and explore how to build websites and services using ASP.NET Core 7, Blazor, and Entity Framework Core 7. The book’s approach—starting with simple console applications before progressing to web projects—helps you build confidence without overwhelming you. Whether you’re new to C# or returning to catch up on recent changes, this book offers clear examples and practical insights, like using the MVC pattern and Minimal APIs, making it a smart choice for developers eager to modernize their skills.

Mark J. Price's deep experience with Microsoft technologies shines through in this extensive guide to C# 12 and .NET 8, aimed at programmers eager to master the latest features in cross-platform development. You’ll gain hands-on skills with ASP.NET Core 8, Blazor, and Entity Framework Core 8, exploring practical examples like building web services with native AOT compilation and integrating databases through LINQ. The book methodically covers everything from object-oriented programming to web APIs, making it especially useful if you want to confidently develop modern C# applications and web projects. Whether you’re new to programming or refreshing your skills, the detailed chapters on Razor Pages and new .NET enhancements offer concrete, applicable knowledge.

This personalized AI-created book on ASP.NET mastery explores both fundamental concepts and advanced techniques tailored specifically to your development background and goals. It covers the core principles of ASP.NET, including web forms, MVC, and API development, while also examining modern practices such as Blazor integration and security considerations. By focusing on your interests and skill level, it reveals a pathway through complex topics, synthesizing expert knowledge into a form that matches your pace and learning style. This tailored approach ensures you engage deeply with the material most relevant to your ASP.NET journey, enhancing both understanding and practical application.

When Jonathan R Danylko wrote this book, he drew on over two decades of hands-on experience building ASP.NET sites, aiming to codify the best practices that foster reliable, maintainable web apps. You get more than just technical tips; this book walks you through organizing your project structure, setting up source control, and automating builds, alongside deep dives into middleware, security, and Entity Framework Core optimization. For example, the chapters on Blazor components and Razor Pages reveal practical ways to enhance frontend and backend synergy. If you're an ASP.NET developer looking to sharpen your craft or transition legacy apps to .NET 8, this book offers clear guidance without unnecessary jargon.

Andrew Lock's decade-long journey with .NET and ASP.NET Core shines through this second edition, which carefully guides you from foundational HTTP concepts to the intricacies of ASP.NET Core 5.0 customization. You'll explore practical topics like Razor Pages, dependency injection, entity framework integration, and securing applications with Identity, gaining hands-on skills to build cross-platform web apps. This book suits intermediate C# developers ready to deepen their expertise in modern ASP.NET Core development, especially those eager to understand both the framework's architecture and its latest features like new hosting paradigms. Detailed chapters on logging, testing, and background services offer concrete tools for real-world application building without fluff.

Andrew Lock’s extensive background in software engineering and his decade-long experience with .NET development clearly inform this thorough guide to ASP.NET Core. You’ll get hands-on with building minimal APIs, mastering Razor Pages for server-side rendering, and implementing secure authentication and authorization, along with data management using Entity Framework Core. The book dives deep into middleware creation, testing strategies, and deployment practices, making it ideal for developers aiming to write professional-grade web applications. Whether you’re new to ASP.NET Core or looking to update your skills to the latest version, this edition offers clear explanations and practical code examples, such as configuring the middleware pipeline and crafting custom filters in MVC.

This tailored book explores a focused, step-by-step journey through ASP.NET, designed to match your background and learning objectives. It reveals practical pathways for improving your skills rapidly over 30 days, emphasizing real-world applications and development scenarios. By concentrating on your specific interests, the book covers essential ASP.NET concepts, integrates them into manageable daily learning segments, and examines how to build effective web applications using modern ASP.NET features. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with the content that matters most to your growth, making complex topics accessible and actionable within a short timeframe.

Valerio De Sanctis brings over two decades of experience in web development and leadership roles to this hands-on guide for building APIs with ASP.NET Core. You’ll learn to create a full-featured API from scratch, using real development project scenarios that cover everything from environment setup and data modeling with Entity Framework Core to API documentation with Swagger. The book clearly demonstrates how to implement modern RESTful and GraphQL standards, making it particularly useful if you want practical skills in building maintainable and performant web APIs. Developers familiar with .NET will find the stepwise approach and real user stories especially helpful in bridging theory with the practical challenges of API development.

Anne Boehm's experience as a technical author for over three decades shines through in this detailed guide to ASP.NET Web Forms development using C#. The book breaks down complex topics like server controls, state management, and integrating Bootstrap for responsive design into manageable lessons, making it approachable whether you're starting or transitioning from other web technologies. It also dives into database-driven applications with Entity Framework and covers advanced topics such as ASP.NET Identity for authentication and Web API services, providing a rounded skill set for professional web developers. If you want a thorough, hands-on approach to mastering ASP.NET 4.6 with practical code samples and exercises, this book suits your needs well.

Adam Freeman's decades of experience in software development led him to craft this detailed guide on ASP.NET Core MVC 2, offering you a thorough exploration of the framework's architecture and features. You'll learn to build lean, cloud-optimized, and mobile-ready applications while mastering tools like Visual Studio Code and Docker deployment. The book walks you through everything from foundational concepts to advanced techniques, including a fully worked case study that serves as a practical template for your projects. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of modern ASP.NET Core MVC and apply it effectively, this book equips you with the knowledge to do just that.