ASP.NET has a great feature which allows the developer to perform data access based in an abstraction layer, called a Data Access Layer without having to write a stitch of code. Basically it allows data to be further manipulated and protects you from having to work against the database itself. I love this feature because it really makes a lot of things easy when writing web pages, and gives me the flexibility to get the data I want easily. I like the visual representation of the xsd file where I can change and configure much of the data source and it’s options. This is just one of the many data-friendly features in Visual Studio 2005 using ASP.NET 2.0. This data abstraction layer makes it easy to use the new GridView and DetailsView controls from ASP.NET 2.0. Check out the videos here on learnvisualstudio.net for some excellent explanations of how to use this unique feature.

I have recently been devoting every waking hour not doing something else like working to learning as much as I can about ASP.NET 2.0. I have not traditionally been impressed with Microsoft's feeble attempts at creating a web development platform. ASP.NET 2.0 is not part of that group obviously. Microsoft went from having the horrible FrontPage as their best option for web site development this killer ASP.NET 2.0 development platform that is actually viable. Many people I have talked to love ASP.NET. Now I know why, it is worthy of any praise. It has its issues to be sure, but it is one of the best development ideologies I have seen in ages.

Many programmers out there still hold to PHP like the world is ending (me included), and think ASP.NET is bunk. I am a huge PHP fan and still use it primarily for many projects, but I must confess that ASP.NET has really made me think hard about adding it to my usual arsenal of web development skills. If you still haven't checked it out, you should, and trust me, I was a skeptic until I started using it. My personal favorite is using ASP.NET 2.0 in Visual Studio 2005. You can also download the Visual Web Developer Express Edition which will let you build ASP.NET applications without sacrificing many essential features.

I don't know if you have seen Microsoft's Virtual Labs or not, but they are top notch. I just got done taking the Virtual Lab on ASP.NET 2.0 and it really gives you a simple to follow crash course on using ASP.NET 2.0. The particular section I focused on was devoted to setting up data sources, using the DropdownList, DataGrid and DetailsView controls. While this wasn't quite new information for me, it did give me some new hints as to how I should be dealing with data sources in some of my upcoming projects using ASP.NET 2.0.

Microsoft Virtual Labs are an excellent way to learn and do interactively, especially for those like me who learn more visually than anything.  Honestly I would rather have to hand-write the code than watch some instructor do it or have it pre-written. I guess you could label me a hands-dirty developer. I don't mind. No, really, go for it, I don't mind.