Well its 2nd of July, but day before yesterday was a good day. BlogEngine.Net 1.4 released, and today I performed my blog upgrade. But I didn't apply widgets yet but, I'm ready to do so once I got some time to be online to do so.

The upgrade didn't take too much time from me, actually no time at all but the uploading time. I performed kind of local upgrade test first to make sure that everything will work fine then I performed the live upgrade, and that is why actually I performed my upgrade so fast.

You can refer to this upgrade post by Al Nyveldt. I wish to share my upgrade experience, but these days I'm preparing for a business trip so I don't have much time to be online. Hopefully soon I'll be able to blog about it.

But one thing I can say, BlogEngine.Net 1.4 is 100% backward compatible with BlogEngine.Net 1.3, that means you will not lose anything or fall into trouble if you just do first stage upgrade like I did. My first stage doesn't include widgets, because I need to set them up and arrange them. So I preferred to write this post over continue my upgrade process :) . You can image how second stage will be easy :)

Have fun with BlogEngine.Net 1.4.

Few days I decided to take exam 70-504 TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Workflow Foundation Application Development so I decided to register the exam for today. And today I attended to the exam and passed with score 800. I worth to mention that I used a promotion code submitted to my by Microsoft because I registered on Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Learning Portal to be the first to know and save 40 percent on select Visual Studio 2008 exams.

I prepared for exam during the last month (June). I basically studied the from Microsoft Learning products, course Course 6462: Visual Studio 2008: Windows Workflow Foundation and Clinic 6262: Introducing Windows Workflow Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008. And really, about 45% to 50% and maybe more of the exam question are totally covered by Course 6462 

The exam consist of 53 questions. You'll not find any exam simulator for this exam now, so if you wish to prepare for it just attend Course 6462 and use some external resources such Microsoft Windows Workflow Foundation Step by Step book.

Below is my score card for this exam.

Last week I posted about building custom paging with LINQ to SQL. And I wrapped the functionality with Extension Method to IQueryable<T> Interface.

Today I'm going to put the custom paging in a practical sample using ASP.NET ListView, DataPager and ObjectDataSource Control. Click here to download the sample.

The sample is using Northwind Database. So first I created a Northwind LINQ to SQL class ".dbml"

More...

I wanted to have good short start overview on WCF. My first pick was from Microsoft E-Learning, Clinic 6264: Introducing Windows Communication Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008. For me, it was a great choice, exactly what I need to start my learning steps on WCF.

Here I'm going to write my review about this Free E-Learning Course which is part of a Free E-Learning Collection, Collection 6261: Developing Rich Experiences using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008.

Course Objectives:

• Describe WCF and provide scenarios for building WCF applications.
• Describe WCF features for developers of service-oriented applications.
• Describe how to create a WCF service.
• Describe how to create and invoke a WCF client.
• Describe how to customize WCF with behaviors.
• Describe bindings in WCF.
• Explain the main features of WCF security.
• Describe reliability in WCF applications.

More...

Introduction:
Since my early days with web application and I used to observe people writing different techniques for paging data coming from the database. Many articles where written, and different techniques for different databases. All that I am talking about paging data on the database before returning results to the application which will renders it to the client.

One Technique:
You might be familiar with queries like this one:

   1: SELECT TOP (10) [R1].[ProductID], [R1].[ProductName]

   2: FROM (

   3:     SELECT TOP (77) [R0].[ProductID], [R0].[ProductName]

   4:     FROM [dbo].[Products] AS [R0]

   5:     ORDER BY [R0].[ProductID] DESC

   6:     ) AS [R1]

   7: ORDER BY [R1].[ProductID]

The above query is one of the techniques used for paging data on the database side. When wrapping this query with a stored procedure it will look like this:

   1: CREATE PROCEDURE [dbo].[usp_Product_GETPAGE]

   2: (

   3:     @page int,

   4:     @pagelength int,

   5:     @sortfield varchar(100),

   6:     @descending bit,

   7:     @rowcount int output

   8: )

   9: AS

  10: BEGIN

  11:     SET NOCOUNT OFF

  12:     DECLARE @Err int    

  13:     SELECT @rowcount = COUNT(*) from [Products]    

  14:     declare @innerrows int

  15:     declare @sortdesc varchar(100)

  16:     declare @sortasc varchar(100)

  17:     declare @a varchar(6)

  18:     declare @b varchar(6)

  19:     IF @descending=0

  20:             BEGIN

  21:                 set @a = ' DESC '

  22:                 set @b = ' ASC '

  23:             END

  24:     ELSE

  25:             BEGIN

  26:                 set @a = ' ASC '

  27:                 set @b = ' DESC '

  28:             END    

  29:     IF charindex(@sortfield, ' [ProductID]') > 0

  30:         BEGIN

  31:             set @sortdesc = ''

  32:             set @sortasc = ''            

  33:         END

  34:     ELSE

  35:         BEGIN

  36:             set @sortdesc = ', [ProductID] ' + @a

  37:             set @sortasc = ', [ProductID] ' + @b

  38:         END   

  39:     set @innerrows = @rowcount - (@page * @pagelength)

  40:     DECLARE @sql nvarchar(1000)

  41:     SET @sql = 'SELECT TOP ' + STR(@pagelength) + ' [ProductID], [ProductName] FROM

  42:             (

  43:                 SELECT TOP ' + STR(@innerrows) + ' [ProductID],

  44:                 [ProductName]

  45:                 FROM

  46:                 [Products] 

  47:                 ORDER BY [Products].' + @sortfield + @a + @sortdesc + ' 

  48:             ) Alias

  49:             ORDER BY Alias.' + @sortfield + @b + @sortasc    

  50:     EXEC (@sql);

  51: END

The above procedure is somehow complex because it support paging and that is why it build the SQL statement and use EXEC function.

I'll not discuss its performance; my target is to discuss how to convert this query into LINQ query using extension methods then generalize it to be as an Extension Method for IQueryable Interface.

LINQ Equivalent:
The LINQ Equivalent is very simple using Extension Methods of the IQueryable and IOrderedQueryable interfaces. The following code shows that:More...

Few days I wrote a review about uCertify product for Exam 070-553 C#. And today, I received an e-mail from uCertify, here is an excerpt from that e-mail:

"We are offering a discount to the readers of your Blog. (If there is certain suggestion in review) Your suggestions will definitaly help us to improve our products and ultimately benefit our users. Your readers can use our discount code given on your Blog and get 10% discount on the uCertify PrepKit of their choice"

So you can apply this Discount code "MMMOSA" and gain 10% discount on the uCertify PrepKit of your choice as mentioned above.

So 10% discount and money back guarantee if you didn't pass from the 1st attempt! Check uCertify.com for more details about money back guarantee.

Introduction:

I almost attended & passed more than 10 Microsoft Certification Exams. With the assist of self-learning paced training as well as official Microsoft Learning products. And before taking the exam, I used to practice the exam using some of the available exam simulators as well as assessments provided by Microsoft. And sometimes I just took the exam using my person experience.

And today uCertify gave me the chance to review one of their best exam simulation tools & preparation kits produced and provided by uCertify for exam 070-553: UPGRADE, MCSD.NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Developer using C#.

About uCertify:

Founded in 1996, uCertify is a leading provider of exam preparation solutions for IT certifications from leading vendors such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Sun Java, Oracle, CIW, Adobe and Cisco. They are committed to help their clients to pass their certification exams by providing the highest quality preparation software. uCertify has devoted much of its resources in Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) research. Through continuous research and development, our products are designed and updated to cater to the needs of changing technology. uCertify PrepKits replicate the actual online exams, and help you experience the real exam environment. This gives you the confidence to pass your certification exams in the first attempt.

My Story:

I have a simple challenging story with exam 070-553 which I’m going to review its preparation software provided by uCertify. I passed this exam on 2006. I didn’t prepare for it. I was moving beside an exam center then I decided to take the exam. And I took it on the same day. Challenging my knowledge and experience, I hardly passed this exam with score 700.

Today and after 2 years, I found this exam preparation and test simulation software from uCertify, I wonder what would be my life and how would be my score if such product were available at that time. I would simply use my knowledge with assist of this product and pass the exam, gaining much more score I’m sure.

This collection of 3 2-hour premium clinics teaches about the new capabilities provided by the .NET Framework 3.5. These clinics are for experienced Developers and Software Architects who are looking to adopt Microsoft's next generation technology within their solutions.

Collection 6261: Developing Rich Experiences using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008:

• Clinic 6262: Introducing Windows Workflow Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008
• Clinic 6263: Introducing Windows Presentation Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008
• Clinic 6264: Introducing Windows Communication Foundation using .Net Framework 3.5 & Visual Studio 2008

This is a one year subscription offer for free. I've already take Clinic 6262 and started with Clinic 6264. I must say I am ignorant about these new technology and I decided to start from scratch and have an overview over them before starting reading more detailed materials. And it needs total of 2 hours for each clinic.

Few days ago Microsoft released both Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 & VPC 2007 SP1 updates.

Microsoft Virtual Server R2 SP1 includes support for the following additional Host and Guest Operating Systems:

Additonal Guest Operating System support:
Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Business Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Server® 2008 Core
Windows Server® 2008 Standard
Windows Server® 2008 Datacenter
Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise
Windows Server® 2008 Small Business Server
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3

Additional Host Operating System support:
Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1) (non-production use only)
Windows Vista® Business Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1) (non-production use only)
Windows Vista® Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)(non-production use only)
Windows Server® 2008 Core
Windows Server® 2008 Standard
Windows Server® 2008 Datacenter
Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise
Windows Server® 2008 Small Business Server
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3 (non-production use only) 

While Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1 includes support for the following additional Host and Guest Operating Systems:

Additonal Guest Operating System support:
Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Business Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Server® 2008 Standard
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3

Additional Host Operating System support:
Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Business Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows Vista® Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3

 You can optain the download from the following links:

• Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 Update
• Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1
  

The WPF team at Microsoft is going give us “WPF Application Quality Guide”. They plan to release the Guide in stages, updating and fine-tuning the content, based on feedback provided by audiences.

Current version is 0.2, this version contains -as specified in the link above- more examples that illustrate how to find the AutomationElement object by using UI Automation; introduction to the WPF programming stack and software testing; high level overview of test methodology, planning, and strategies; visual verification testing; media testing; verification of animations and other transitions; performance best practices resources; security testing considerations; a list of tools for creating, debugging, and testing WPF applications; and additional topics in the Appendix about resources for WPF data binding and debugging, and about WPF interoperability with Win32 and Windows Forms.

Introduction:
Last month Matt Berseth posted very good post about how to build Master-Detail with the GridView, DetailsView and ModalPopup Controls. Today I'm going to clone his post and build the same feature using jQuery with jQuery Plugins; one for popup windows jqModal& and the other is for Color Animation. You can view a demo of this sample here [View Demo].

Prerequisites:
Because I'm using some design tips and styles posted in Matt's posts, I recommend to return to his original posts regarding styling and UI enhancement. I used the styles and design shown on his post Building a VS2008 Styled Grid with the GridView Control.

In my sample I'm using UpdatePanel, and used a client side technique to update the UpdatePanel. To read and review more about this technique please read Dave's post Easily refresh an UpdatePanel, using JavaScript.

It is important also to review documentation of jqModalas I'm not going to explain its APIs.

Implementation:
To make a long story short, I just modified Matt's sample and replaced ModalPopup control of AJAX Control Toolkit with jqModal. Also Matt used to indicate the updated row by setting a style sheet class to the updated row for certain period of time then remove it to make it look as before. I did the same, but I used some kind of animation provided by Color Animationplugin for jQuery.

More...

Introduction:
Last month I posted about Building a grouping Grid with GridView and JQuery. And I got feedbacks about how to do the same thing using AJAX (on demand retrieving of detail data). In fact I was thinking of that too, and I had couple of ideas in mind. One of them it to use nested update panels, or use AJAX Data Controls with page method/web service method calls along with ASP.NET AJAX. You can view the [demo here].

I didn't like the nested update panel idea, although it is the easiest I think. And was started to think about the second idea but I was about to check another way other than ASP.NET AJAX as long as I'm using jQuery. So I was thinking of using jQuery AJAX. That was just after reading Dave Ward's post Using jQuery to consume ASP.NET JSON Web Services.

More...

Brief Description:
.NET Framework 3.5 Enhancements Training Kit containing Labs, Demos and PPTs.

Overview:
The .NET Framework 3.5 Enhancements Training Kit includes presentations, hands-on labs, and demos. This content is designed to help you learn how to utilize the .NET 3.5 Enhancement features including: ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Dynamic Data, ASP.NET AJAX History, ASP.NET Silverlight controls, ADO.NET Data Services and ADO.NET Entity Framework.

I think it is different thanThe Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 Training Kit which you can also have a look at it.

You can subscribe to Microsoft Download Notificationsto alwasy be updated about new downloads from Microsoft.

Download

In Introducing SQL Server 2008by Peter DeBetta (ISBN: 9780735625587), you’ll learn about major new features in SQL Server 2008, including security, administration, and performance. Downloading the book require registration.

This initial installment of the book is very small; it is devided into 11 chapters and about 33 PDF pages. I guess it is a good focused book on the new features of SQL Server 2008. Myself didn't read it yet.

I also recommend to visit SQL Server 2008 Learning Portalthere you'll find free e-learning offers such as  Collection 6187: What's New in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (includes three free clinics).

At the end of last Month March 2008, exactly on 23rd and 24th of March, Microsoft Egypt hold an event for Heroes Happen {Here} announcing the launch of Visual Studio 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008.

I couldn't attend the event as I was out of country. But my brother Ahmad Mosa and my colleagues including Amr Elsehemy attended the event.

At the event Ahmad Mosa was recognized as a Hero for his cooperation and hard work in participating in the early adopters’ program for the launch products that made this launch such a great success!

Below is his picture with Mr. Kareem Ramada the General Manager of Microsoft Egypt.

 
Left to right: Kareem Ramadan, Ahmad Mosa