.NET—A Complete Development Cycle is the first guide to combining the best software-engineering practices of the Unified Process with the ins and outs of the .NET architecture. The book begins with an overview of the principles of software engineering and then introduces Microsoft technologies such as Visual C#, Windows Forms (WinForms), ADO.NET, and ASP.NET.

Central to this practical guide is a case study of the development of a working imaging application. As the authors lead readers through the complete lifecycle of this .NET development project, they teach effective software-engineering methodologies, including top strategies for requirements engineering, functional breakdown, design reviews, implementation, testing, and deployment. Readers will also learn how to make the most of tools such as the Unified Modeling Language (UML), GDI+, multithreading, Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), UDDI (Universal Description, Discovery and Integration), and versioning.

By actively participating in this example, readers become working members of the development team. They will be able to use their newly acquired knowledge to accomplish tasks critical to the successful creation of the Web-based smart-client application. Readers can verify their work against the solutions provided on the book's accompanying CD-ROM, which also contains all of the source code, additional tools, process documentation (including mechanisms for requirements tracing), and examples as well as additional tips on extending and enhancing the imaging application.

Whether you are making the transition to .NET architecture or are an experienced Microsoft developer, project lead or software quality engineer who wants to learn effective software-engineering techniques, .NET—A Complete Development Cycle is an invaluable resource. Readers will come away with the foundation needed to use .NET technologies to design and build complete applications, a solid understanding of good software-engineering practices, and a working Web-based imaging application that easily can be expanded or customized.