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Part 5: Introducing the .NET Base Class Libraries

By this point in the text, you have a solid handle on the C# language and the details of the .NET

assembly format. Part 5 leverages your newfound knowledge by exploring a number of commonly

used services found within the base class libraries, including file I/O and database access using

ADO.NET. This part also covers the construction of distributed applications using Windows Com-

munication Foundation (WCF) and workflow-enabled applications that make use of the Windows

Workflow Foundation (WF) API.

Chapter 20: File I/O and Isolated Storage

The System.IO namespace allows you to interact with a machine’s file and directory structure. Over

the course of this chapter, you will learn how to programmatically create (and destroy) a directory

system as well as move data into and out of various streams (file based, string based, memory

based, etc.). The latter part of this chapter examines the role of isolated storage, which allows you to

persist per-user data into a safe sandbox, regardless of the security settings of a target machine. To

understand certain aspects of the System.IO.IsolatedStorage API, you will also receive an overview

of Code Access Security (CAS).

Chapter 21: Introducing Object Serialization

This chapter examines the object serialization services of the .NET platform. Simply put, serializa-

tion allows you to persist the state of an object (or a set of related objects) into a stream for later use.

Deserialization (as you might expect) is the process of plucking an object from the stream into

memory for consumption by your application. Once you understand the basics, you will then learn

how to customize the serialization process via the ISerializable interface and a set of .NET

attributes.

Chapter 22: ADO.NET Part I: The Connected Layer

In this first of two database-centric chapters, you will learn about the ADO.NET programming API.

Specifically, this chapter will introduce the role of .NET data providers and how to communicate

with a relational database using the connected layer of ADO.NET, represented by connection

objects, command objects, transaction objects, and data reader objects. Be aware that this chapter

will also walk you through the creation of a custom database and a data access library that will be

used throughout the remainder of this text.

Chapter 23: ADO.NET Part II: The Disconnected Layer

This chapter continues your study of database manipulation by examining the disconnected layer

of ADO.NET. Here, you will learn the role of the DataSet type, data adapter objects, and numerous

tools of Visual Studio 2008 that can greatly simplify the creation of data-driven applications. Along

the way, you will learn how to bind DataTable objects to user interface elements, such as the

GridView type of the Windows Forms API.