10 Best-Selling .NET Framework 4 Books Millions Love

Matthew MacDonald's deep background as an MCSD developer and educator shines through in this authoritative guide to ASP.NET 4 using C#. This book dives into the core of Microsoft's dynamic web platform, providing detailed explanations on topics like ASP.NET MVC, AJAX 4, and Silverlight 3. You’ll gain hands-on insights into building and deploying web applications that leverage the full power of the .NET Framework 4, including both new features and legacy functionality. It's tailored for developers seeking to write clean, effective code and master the practicalities of ASP.NET 4 development. If you're aiming to level up your web programming skills within the Microsoft ecosystem, this book offers a solid foundation without fluff.

Ian Griffiths, Matthew Adams, and Jesse Liberty bring decades of combined expertise in .NET development to this sixth edition of Programming C# 4.0. They guide you through mastering C# 4.0’s dynamic features alongside the extensive capabilities of .NET Framework 4, covering everything from concurrent programming to building rich web and desktop applications. You’ll find detailed explanations on using LINQ for data processing, WCF for network communication, and WPF for UI design, making complex concepts accessible through practical examples. This book is particularly suited for developers aiming to deepen their skills in C# within the .NET ecosystem, whether building enterprise software or interactive applications.

This tailored book explores the practical, proven approaches to mastering .NET Framework 4 development as they apply to your unique background and project needs. It covers core concepts and real-world applications, focusing on battle-tested methods that millions of developers have found successful. By matching its content to your interests, this book reveals how to navigate .NET 4 features with confidence and depth, addressing challenges and opportunities specific to your goals. The personalized format ensures you gain relevant insights on essential topics like application architecture, debugging, and performance tuning, enhancing your ability to deliver effective solutions in diverse environments.

The proven track record of "Microsoft® ADO.NET 4 Step by Step" speaks for itself among developers seeking to master data-centric application development. Tim Patrick, with over 25 years in software and recognized by Microsoft as an MVP, guides you through connecting to external data sources, crafting Entity Framework models, and leveraging LINQ providers with practical, hands-on examples. You’ll gain skills in binding data to both Windows and Web Forms and managing disconnected data scenarios. This book suits programmers wanting to deepen their understanding of ADO.NET within the .NET Framework 4 environment, especially those building data-driven applications for Windows and web platforms.

What happens when experienced data-access specialists collaborate with Microsoft development teams? This book reveals that synergy in exploring LINQ's integration within .NET Framework 4. You learn how to query data from diverse sources—databases, XML, objects, and even Excel files—using Visual Basic or C#, transforming complex data handling into streamlined code. Chapters detail applying LINQ best practices, leveraging ADO.NET Entity Framework, and extending LINQ with custom operators. If you're aiming to deepen your data manipulation skills specifically within the .NET Framework 4 environment, this book offers concrete examples and techniques tailored for developers ready to build efficient, lean data-enabled applications.

John Paul Mueller brings extensive programming and editing experience to this detailed exploration of the gaps between the Win32 API and the .NET Framework. You learn how to overcome missing .NET functionalities by directly accessing the legacy Win32 API, with particular focus on complex areas like manual memory management and COM interoperability. The book covers practical scenarios such as low-level hardware access, multimedia support, and DirectX integration, offering clear guidance for developers needing these capabilities today rather than waiting for future .NET expansions. This book suits programmers who want to extend .NET capabilities by leveraging foundational Windows APIs without guesswork.

This tailored book explores the core concepts and essential tools of .NET Framework 4 through a focused, step-by-step approach designed to match your background and goals. It covers fundamental programming principles, framework architecture, and practical coding techniques, helping you build a solid foundation while addressing your specific areas of interest. By integrating widely validated knowledge with your personal learning objectives, the book reveals how to rapidly develop proficiency in .NET 4 development. The personalized content ensures you engage with the most relevant topics, from language features to data access and web application creation, making your learning experience efficient and directly applicable. This tailored guide transforms complex material into accessible insights aligned with your pace and priorities.

What started as a deep dive into the networking capabilities of the Microsoft .NET Framework evolved into a detailed manual by three network programming experts from Microsoft. You’ll learn how to work with the System.Net namespace to build applications ranging from simple socket-based tools to complex, scalable N-tier web systems. The book guides you through serialization methods, asynchronous I/O, URI resolution, and fine-tuning XML Web services, providing concrete code examples to clarify each concept. If you’re transitioning from Win32 networking or developing with .NET Remoting or XML Web Services, this book equips you with a solid understanding of how these technologies integrate at the network level.

This isn't another ASP.NET book promising quick fixes; Dan Mabbutt, along with Adam Freeman and Matthew MacDonald, developed this extensive guide to address the real challenges developers face with ASP.NET 4.5. You'll learn how to build robust, secure, and dynamic websites, mastering everything from database querying to client-side validation with jQuery and Ajax. The book carefully walks you through core concepts before advancing to professional skills, including XML applications and security considerations. If you're committed to deepening your understanding of ASP.NET 4.5 and building professional-grade web applications, this book equips you with the knowledge you need.

Christian Nagel, backed by over two decades as a software architect and recognized as a Microsoft MVP for Visual C#, leads this deep dive into C# 5.0 and .NET Framework 4.5.1. You’ll move beyond basics quickly, exploring nuanced changes like updates in ASP.NET Core, MVC, Web API, and Windows Runtime 2.0. The book doesn’t just skim surface features; it examines practical shifts in Visual Studio 2013 and ADO.NET Entity Framework to help you adapt your development approach. If you’re a seasoned C# developer or someone transitioning from C/C++, this guide sharpens your mastery of the evolving Windows programming environment.

Stephen Walther, Microsoft’s ASP.NET program manager, leads an expert team to deliver a detailed guide on ASP.NET 4 development that covers everything from basic controls to advanced features like the MVC framework and Ajax integration. You’ll learn how to build maintainable, scalable web applications using Master Pages, LINQ to SQL, and URL Routing for SEO-friendly URLs, with hundreds of code examples illustrating real-world implementation. The book benefits developers aiming to master both foundational and sophisticated ASP.NET 4 techniques, whether building interactive forms, securing applications, or enhancing performance through caching. It’s particularly useful if you want a single resource to navigate the entire ASP.NET 4 platform, including deployment and localization nuances.

When Carl Ganz recognized the limitations developers face in anticipating every feature users might need, he crafted this guide to empower application users with more control post-deployment. You’ll learn practical techniques to design .NET 4 applications allowing end users to add data-entry fields, validation rules, and reports without developer intervention. This approach is particularly useful if you build desktop (C# and WPF) or web (ASP) applications and want to reduce maintenance overhead while increasing flexibility. The book’s focus on enabling dynamic, data-driven programming offers a clear path for developers seeking to enhance user autonomy in their software.