7 Best-Selling Web Application Development Books Millions Love

Drawing from decades of experience in software engineering, Leon Shklar and Rich Rosen offer a detailed exploration of web application architecture that goes beyond surface-level tutorials. You’ll gain a solid grasp of foundational internet protocols like HTTP, alongside markup languages including HTML, CSS, and XML. The book carefully dissects server and browser architecture and dives into practical application design through case studies featuring JavaEE/Struts and Ruby on Rails. Updated chapters introduce you to AJAX, web services protocols such as SOAP and REST, and emerging trends like cloud computing and Web 2.0. This makes it ideal if you want to understand the layers beneath modern web apps and adapt to evolving technologies.

Drawing from decades as a contract web developer and founder of web-focused firms, Kris Hadlock dives into Ajax with a hands-on approach that equips you to build dynamic, responsive web apps. You'll explore how to craft reusable Ajax components, manage secure MySQL connections via PHP, and integrate style and scripting to enhance user experience without full page reloads. The book culminates with a real-world project—a fully functional Ajax-driven internal web mail app—demonstrating how to combine patterns and techniques effectively. It's well suited for developers ready to deepen their practical Ajax skills and apply them to scalable web application design.

This tailored book explores practical, effective Ajax development techniques designed to elevate your modern web applications. It examines the core principles of asynchronous communication and dynamic content loading, blending popular industry knowledge with insights tailored to your unique background and goals. The content reveals how to build responsive user interfaces and manage data exchanges efficiently while focusing on your specific interests. By personalizing the learning experience, this book guides you through mastering Ajax’s role in enhancing user interactivity within contemporary web environments, ensuring your skills align with real-world application development needs.

Jeffrey Palermo and his co-authors, all recognized ASP.NET MVPs and early adopters of ASP.NET MVC, crafted this guide to bridge the gap between traditional ASP.NET development and the MVC pattern. You’ll gain hands-on experience with ASP.NET MVC 4’s features, such as the Razor view engine and Web API, through practical examples that balance foundational concepts with advanced techniques like dependency injection and system testing. The book suits .NET developers eager to transition smoothly into MVC, offering clear explanations on organizing applications with areas and integrating tools like NHibernate and AutoMapper. While the pace is brisk, the focus on real-world problems ensures you’ll come away ready to build maintainable, testable web apps.

Unlike most web application development books that focus on broad frameworks, this one dives deep into ASP.NET and C# through the eyes of Microsoft insiders. You learn concrete skills like creating dynamic ASP.NET pages, managing databases with ADO.NET, and securing web applications with authentication methods. Chapters also explore using XML and Web services for data transport and optimizing performance for enterprise environments. If you're aiming to build robust, scalable web applications within the Microsoft ecosystem, this book offers detailed, hands-on guidance without fluff or distractions.

John Alexander and Billy Hollis bring their deep experience within Microsoft and the VB.NET community to this guide, teaching you how to build enterprise-grade web applications using Visual Basic.NET and ASP.NET. You’ll gain concrete skills in creating business-focused web projects, complete with practical tips and code examples that make complex concepts more accessible. Detailed chapters walk through application architecture, integration techniques, and coding best practices, making it a solid choice if you want to master Microsoft’s web technologies. This book suits developers seeking to enhance their .NET skills and apply them to real-world business scenarios, rather than beginners looking for a general introduction to web development.

This tailored book explores the step-by-step process of mastering ASP.NET MVC for building maintainable and scalable web applications. It covers core MVC concepts, routing, controllers, views, and models in a way that matches your current background and focuses on your specific goals. With a personalized approach, it examines how to structure code for long-term maintainability and scalability, incorporating best practices that millions of developers have found valuable. The content reveals insights into integrating data access, managing dependencies, and optimizing application flow, all tailored to your interests. This book ensures you gain practical knowledge that aligns precisely with your development needs and ambitions.

Drawing from Fritz Onion's extensive experience teaching ASP.NET to developers, this book zeroes in on the practical use of ASP.NET within Visual Basic .NET projects. You'll find detailed examples that not only explain the features of ASP.NET but also demonstrate how to leverage them effectively to build modern web applications. The author goes beyond basics by exploring implementation tools often overlooked, giving you a deeper grasp of how ASP.NET integrates with other technologies. This book suits developers who want both a solid foundation and nuanced insights into constructing web applications with Visual Basic .NET, avoiding unnecessary fluff and focusing on what truly matters.

Jeff Webb, collaborating with Microsoft Corporation, leverages extensive experience in software development to craft this self-paced training kit focused on Microsoft .NET technologies. You learn to build dynamic web applications using Visual Basic .NET and Visual C# .NET, mastering ASP.NET Web Forms, data access with ADO.NET, and creating reusable custom controls. The book walks you through configuring security features, debugging, testing, and deploying applications, making it ideal for those preparing for MCAD or MCSD certification or anyone wanting hands-on expertise in Microsoft web development. Chapters like caching and delegates provide deeper technical insights, while the included practice questions reinforce exam readiness and practical skills.