The book covers many aspects of XML on Windows platforms (.NET and MSXML). However, the writing is not very skillful, making it difficult to wade through such technical material. The progression through a topic often is non-linear: Within a chapter points are used before being introduced forcing much re-reading. Many times there are forward references to topics discussed much later in the book without any explaination. There are much more readable books out there (such as the excellent O'Reilly series) that make learning this kind of technology much more fun.

The book XML and ASP.NET provides a wide coverage of this subject. This book's audience is for developers already using XML, as it covers advanced NET and ASP topics. It introduces XML technologies used in the .NET framework. Readers should download the project before reading each chapter.
These project files and examples are written in both C# and Visual Basic. The book covers XML on the client followed by the Server. On the server, it covers XML and ADO, XML and SQL 2000 Server, serialization and mobile applications for XML.

This book provides a clearer understanding of the concepts of XML within a .NET development environment and moves the developer to the next level.

Coming up with a failsafe structure for a book on XML and ASP.NET must be a difficult undertaking given the number of essential questions that need to be asked: What level should the book be pitched at? How much background material should be covered and at what depth? Once you have devised a satisfactory tack to address these questions, then how should the XML material on ASP.NET be covered? Should we look at implementation or theory. And of course, what languages do we use to demonstrate implementation C# or VB.NET?

XML and ASP.NET written on what can be regarded as background information. The chapters assume no XML knowledge, and wind through core concepts such as Push and Pull models, how XML and XSL work with each other, and a grounding on the intricacies of the MSXML and SAX parsers. An outstanding chapter here is one on XML Schemas, 'XML Schemas in .NET'. It can safely be said that this is one of best treatments of the subject that can be found in any book on the market. However it must be noted that the reader who comes to these chapters as an XML newbie will struggle. You must get a good grounding in the fundamentals of XML which are covered in other books.

It is in Section 2 that we get to the content as described level view of ADO.NET. The remainder deals with XML and its useage with the DataSet class.

Throughout the remainder of the book, individual technologies are covered while giving glimpses on how to implement the technologies. Of all the advanced chapters, do approach. It also dovetails nicely as a complement to Dan Wahlin's (XML for ASP.NET Developers) book. There is probably no better candidate for a textbook for XML students who want a clear understanding of XML in ASP.NET.