“Whether this is the first time or the fifty-first time you’re using WCF, you’ll learn something new by reading this book.”

 --Nicholas Allen, Program Manager, Web Services, Microsoft

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is the easiest way to produce and consume Web services on the Microsoft platform. With .NET 3.5, WCF has been extensively revamped--and Visual Studio 2008 gives developers powerful new tools for utilizing it. Essential Windows Communication Foundation shows developers exactly how to make the most of WCF with .NET 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008.

Drawing on extensive experience working with early adopters, three Microsoft insiders systematically address the topics developers ask about WCF. The authors approach each subject with practical advice and present best practices, tips, and tricks for solving problems. Throughout, you’ll find detailed explanations, solutions for the “pain points” of WCF development, and an extensive collection of reusable code examples. Coverage includes

• Using WCF contracts to define complex structures and interfaces

• Understanding WCF’s channel stacks and channel model architecture

• Configuring the WCF communication stack to use only the protocols you need

• Using standard and custom service behaviors to manage concurrency, instances, transactions, and more

• Serializing data from .NET types to XML Infosets and representing Infosets “on the wire”

• Hosting WCF services via IIS, managed .NET applications, and Windows Activation Services

• WCF security, in depth: authentication; transport and message-level security; and Internet and intranet scenarios

• Improving reliability: exception handling, diagnostics, and more

• Workflow services: new integration points between WCF 3.5 and Windows Workflow Foundation

• Building client-to-client, peer network-based applications

• Utilizing WCF for non-SOAP Web services: AJAX and JSON examples and .NET 3.5 hosting classes

Microsoft’s Steve Resnick, Richard Crane, and Chris Bowen are technology experts at the Microsoft Technology Center in Boston. They specialize in helping customers improve their technical agility by applying WCF and related technologies. Resnick has specialized in Internet technologies and distributed computing at Microsoft since 1995. He is a frequent speaker at Microsoft events and is now technology director for the U.S. Microsoft Technology Centers. Crane has more than 15 years of experience in senior software development roles. He specializes in large-scale Web sites, distributed computing, transactional systems, and performance analysis. Bowen has been an architect and developer for more than 15 years at companies such as Monster.com and Staples and is co-author of Professional Visual Studio 2005 Team System.

Foreword xxv

Preface xxvii

Chapter 1: Basics 1

Chapter 2: Contracts 33

Chapter 3: Channels 91

Chapter 4: Bindings 111

Chapter 5: Behaviors 181

Chapter 6: Serialization and Encoding 241

Chapter 7: Hosting 287

Chapter 8: Security 315

Chapter 9: Diagnostics 375

Chapter 10: Exception Handling 403

Chapter 11: Workflow Services 423

Chapter 12: Peer Networking 459

Chapter 13: Programmable Web 503

Appendix: Advanced Topics 537

Index 553

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 13 Ratings

Great book with good price. - 2009-04-17
Reviewer Rating:
A well organized and easy to read WCF how-to with respect to VS2008. Starts out with a basic service comparing code and configuration implementations. A good book to start WCF.

WCF from top to bottom - 2009-01-27
Reviewer Rating:
Wow, I'm still surprised by this book - especially by the way it's written, so that WCF subject, which is quite new to me - gets revealed part by part. I usually read books lying on my bed ;), so it's a straight way of falling asleep (and when it happens just depends on the book) - and I must admit that with this one it takes a much longer time :). And I read it after work even! ;)

Clear and to the point... Easy to read and comprehend - 2008-12-29
Reviewer Rating:
Really enjoyed reading the Essential WCF book by Resnick and et.al. The topics were well organized and explained the concepts well enough. This book will definitely get you started on the route with WCF.

Due to a project committment, I had a four month break in coming back to this, but it was well worth it.

Good examples, overall, although I didn't code them one by one, but it was clear and concise to follow the plain code. The intentions are there. Does a very fine job of with many configurations available with the WCF.

I am also reading Juval Lowy's in addition to get more in depth as I am getting ready for the 70-503 MS test. Thanks, guys!

Baskin

Fantastic introduction to WCF, highly recommended. - 2009-08-26
Reviewer Rating:
I got so much valuable information out of this book. It answered just about all of my questions about WCF. The writing is easy to read. The book is well organized. Topics are explained clearly, in plain english without all the buzzwords that slow down reading. General concepts are explained, and then the author gets down to more detailed information. I wish there had been a bit more information on hosting services, but there was enough information on hosting for me to get my service hosted on IIS without any real difficulty. If you're only going to buy one WCF book, buy this one.

Remarkable - 2009-01-02
Reviewer Rating:
This book is remarkably an excellent tool for developers who want to expand his understanding in WCF programming.It provides both concepts and practical cases you can use and enforce your knowledge. Great jobs. I strongly recommend to read it.

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