Almost a full year ago I (Scott Mitchell) began writing a regular article series about the ASP.NET DataGrid Web control. The series, titled An Extensive Examination of the DataGrid Web Control, as of February 2003, is comprised of 13 parts.

In beginning an in-depth examination into the DataGrid, I realized that my online article series could easily span 50 to 100 "parts." I decided to turn this wealth of information into a book, one that focuses strictly on the DataGrid, DataList, and Repeater Web controls. The result is ASP.NET Data Web Controls Kick Start, a 400+ book that every ASP.NET developer who works with the DataGrid, DataList, or Repeater, should have in his library.

ASP.NET Data Web Controls Kick Start is divided into four parts, each part consisting of numerous chapters. Part I serves as an introduction to the data Web controls, focusing on how data binding works underneath the hood, the formatting properties, and so forth. The sample chapter presented here - Chapter 3: Customizing the HTML Output - is from the first part.

Part II dives into associating actions with the data Web controls. It examines the HyperLinkColumn, the ButtonColumn, adding command columns via templates, creating buttons external to the data Web controls that, when clicked, interact with the data Web controls, and so on.

Part III is the meatiest part of the book and delves into sorting, paging, and editing data with the DataGrid Web control. Along with discussing the basics for each of these capabilities, the book examines more advanced topics as well, such as bidirectional sorting, various ways to perform custom paging, creating a sortable, pageable DataGrid, using more advanced controls in a DataGrid's editing interface (such as the Calendar control), using validation Web controls with an editable DataGrid, and so on.

Finally, Part IV looks at a number of miscellaneous topics, such as creating custom DataGrid column classes and the ItemDataBound and ItemCreated events.

I hope you decide to pick up a copy! Enjoy the sample chapter...