If you decide to buy this book, here's a tip I discovered during my review.
- Book Applications .BAT Files
I've mentioned this in a previous review and, unfortunately, this book still seems to do things in a way that doesn't seem quite as convenient as it should be.
The .BAT progrms in the downloadable "book applications" file at Murach.com can create some problems if you run them the way they are. These programs install the code for the book and they put files in "C:\Murach\ADO.NET 3.5 VB" and "ADO.NET 3.5 VB". Most applications let you pick your own data directory so you won't clutter up the root of your hard drive. Fortunately there are only two .BAT programs that you might want to modify to customize the installation:
- db_restore.bat
- exercise_starts_setup.bat
ps ... In a previous version of this review, I wrote that the file locations in the download were incorrect. After an email exchange with author Anne Boehm, I discovered that I was incorrect and the download was correct. Sorry about that.
The Bottom Line
If your ultimate goal is learning programming with Visual Basic ADO.NET, this book is as good as you can find. The clear language and structured style make it a practical favorite. But it's for the serious minded. It feels a lot like going to school!
