Get up and running with Windows Azure Mobile Services Windows Azure Mobile Services (WAMS) is a turn-key backend solution for applications, mobile or otherwise, to utilize structured storage in the cloud. It includes basic data access functionality and built-in authentication with Microsoft Account, Facebook, Twitter and Google, as well as push notification to the client app. This compact, to the point book gives you just what you need to get up and running with these tools. Demonstrates how to add, update, delete and retrieve data using standard .NET classes or REST-based requests Describes how Windows Azure Mobile Services supports authentication of the user and looks at the mechanism used to authenticate the user Features a number of examples that show how the WAMS scripting capability can be used to meet real-world business needs Examines the limits of Windows Azure Mobile Services, including scalability, database integration, and redundancy options This book shows you exactly how to take advantage of the functionality offered by Windows Azure Mobile Services.

If you are a .NET developer who wants to develop end-to-end RESTful applications in the cloud, then this book is for you. A working knowledge of C# will help you get the most out of this book.

Pro SQL Database for Windows Azure, 2nd Edition shows how to create enterprise-level database deployments without the usual investment in datacenter and other infrastructure. Take advantage instead of Microsoft’s worldwide backbone for cloud computing that delivers all the power of SQL Server in the form of the cloud-based SQL Database for Windows Azure. You can create and deploy a database in mere minutes that is accessible worldwide and takes advantage of SQL Database's high-availability features to protect your data while ensuring 99.9% uptime. SQL Azure is ideally suited for startups, who can benefit from instant access to a robust and secure web-accessible database platform for use in rapidly deploying new products to market. SQL Azure is also ideal for small and mid-sized businesses, giving them the same ability to deploy SQL Server as any large enterprise, but without the management overhead. Even large enterprises find SQL Azure useful in creating failover environments, development environments, extra capacity to handle surges in demand, and more. Pro SQL Database for Windows Azure covers the very latest in Microsoft’s fast-moving, cloud platform, showing how to program and administer it in a variety of cloud computing scenarios. You’ll learn to program SQL Azure from ASP.NET, from WinForms, and from SQL Reporting Services. You’ll learn to manage the platform by planning for scalability, troubleshooting performance issues, and implementing strong security. You’ll learn the unique aspects of SQL Azure such as sharding and federation support that combine to place SQL Azure a step above and ahead of the competiton. Shows how to use SQL Azure from classic Windows applications, ASP.NET and Windows Communication Foundation Covers management, performance, scalability, and troubleshooting Addresses the all-important issue of securing your data Helps you properly design for high-performance in a cloud environment Helps you adopt the new Federations feature in SQL Azure

This book introduces novice developers to a range of data access strategies for storing and retreiving data both locally and remotely. It provides you with a range of fully working data access solutions and the insight you need to know when, and how, to apply each of the techniques to best advantage. Focussing specifically on how the Windows 8 app developer can work with the Windows Runtime (often called Windows RT) framework this book provides careful analysis of the many options you have open to you, along with a comparision of their strengths and weaknesses under different conditions. With the days of a single database being the right choice for almost all development projects long gone. You will lean that the right choice for your app now depends on a variety of factors and getting it right will be critical to your customer's end user experience. We cover a range of data access strategies ranging from storing and retrieving data locally using the JET API, to using the most popular open and closed source database products like SQLite and SQL Server. We look at how lightweight HTML and JavaScript apps work well with equally feather-weight data stores like IndexedDB. We'll also introduce you to more advanced data access techniques like REST (JSON), WCF RIA Services, ASP.NET MVC 4 Web API and Windows Azure that can hugely expand the horizons of what it is possible for your app to do as storage - and even processing - are taken beyond the confines of your user's device. By the time you have read this book you will be familiar with the key data access considerations you will need to evaluate as you build you apps and you will be able to confidently select the data access architecture that is most appropriate to the app you want to build. What you’ll learn Understand the data access capability of WinRT Explore the various data access strategies Understand local storage in Windows 8 Apps Discover how to use HTML5 indexedDB as an offline database Use SQLite and SQL Server with Windows 8 Apps Develop ASP.NET MVC 4 Web API data stores Learn how to consume data through a WCF Service Integrate your app with Public Web Services using REST See how SQL Azure can extend your Windows 8 Apps Who this book is for This book is for all the .NET, iOS, Android and Windows Phone app developers looking to develop data driven Windows 8 style apps. You should be comfortable with basic programming concepts and have worked with simple data stores previously. Table of Contents Introducing Windows 8 development from a data perspective Windows 8 Modern app data access strategies Selecting the right strategy for your app Local Data Access I : JET API Local Data Access: II: IndexedDB Dealing with Application Data WCF RIA Services ASP.NET Web API SQL Databases Windows Phone 8 Data Access

We’re thrilled to share another free ebook with you: Introducing Microsoft Azure HDInsight, by Avkash Chauhan, Valentine Fontama, Michele Hart, Wee Hyong Tok, and Buck Woody. Here are the download links: Download the PDF (6.37 MB; 130 pages) from http://aka.ms/IntroHDInsight/PDF Download the EPUB (8.46 MB) from http://aka.ms/IntroHDInsight/EPUB Download the MOBI (12.8 MB) from http://aka.ms/IntroHDInsight/MOBI Download the code samples (6.83 KB) from http://aka.ms/IntroHDInsight/CompContent Get a head start evaluating Windows Azure - with technical insights from a Microsoft MVP Mitch Tulloch. This guide introduces the latest features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. Topics include: Understanding Windows Azure Windows Azure Compute Services Windows Azure Network Services Windows Azure Data Services Windows Azure App Services Getting Started with Windows Azure

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-534--and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of Microsoft Azure solution design and architecture. Designed for experienced IT pros ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the Microsoft Specialist level. Focus on the expertise measured by these objectives: Describe Microsoft Azure infrastructure and networking Help secure resources Design an application storage and data access strategy Design an advanced application Design websites Design a management, monitoring, and business continuity strategy This Microsoft Exam Ref: Organizes its coverage by exam objectives Features strategic, what-if scenarios to challenge you Assumes you have experience designing Microsoft Azure cloud or hybrid solutions and supporting application life cycle management

A collection of five must-have Azure titles, from some of the biggest names in the field Available individually, but at a discounted rate for the collection, this bundle of five e-books covers key developer and IT topics of Windows Azure, including ASP.NET, mobile services, web sites, data storage, and the hybrid cloud. A host of Microsoft employees and MPVs come together to cover the biggest challenges that professionals face when working with Windows Azure. The e-books included are as follows: Windows Azure and ASP.NET MVC Migration Windows Azure Mobile Services Windows Azure Web Sites Windows Azure Data Storage Windows Azure Hybrid Cloud This invaluable bundle of e-books will get you up and running confidently and quickly with Windows Azure.

Take advantage of your existing JavaScript and HTML skills to build apps for Windows 8.1 and add them to the Windows Store. It’s a remarkable opportunity—and best-selling Microsoft web development author Stephen Walther will show you how to take full advantage of it. Offering the same deep insight and practical code that has made his ASP.NET Unleashed the #1 ASP.NET book of all time, Walther covers everything you need to build outstanding Windows Store apps with JavaScript and HTML5. He guides you through using Microsoft’s WinJS 2.0 library to develop apps for Windows 8.1—you learn how to use JavaScript templates, controls, and data binding. You’ll find in-depth coverage of everything from displaying data with a ListView control to supporting SkyDrive cloud storage, creating games to using IndexedDB and HTML5 forms. Extensively updated for the release of Windows 8.1, this book covers all of the new features of the WinJS 2.0 library such as the Repeater, SearchBox, WebView, and NavBar controls and the new WinJS Scheduler. This book has been updated with a new sample app that demonstrates how to build a Windows Store app that interacts with Windows Azure Mobile Services. If you’re a web developer, Windows 8 gives you millions of new potential customers to buy your apps—and you already have many of the skills you’ll need to reach them. Get this book, master the tools and techniques you don’t already know—and go after that huge new market! Detailed information on how to… Get your app published in the Windows Store Use JavaScript controls such as the Tooltip, Rating, DatePicker, and FlipView controls Thoroughly master using the WinJS ListView control to display, sort, and filter data Use new controls introduced with Windows 8.1 such as the Repeater, WebView, NavBar, and SearchBox controls Implement Windows Search and Share contracts Use HTML5 Canvas to build arcade games Store data on the local file system, via Windows Azure Mobile Services or in IndexedDB databases Use Live Services to authenticate users, retrieve user profiles, and interact with SkyDrive Create custom WinJS controls with Page Controls Build apps that gracefully adapt to different screen resolutions and orientations Take pictures from your computer’s webcam and play sounds 8.1 Apps

This book is a practical guide to solving the everyday problems encountered when building apps for Windows 10 devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones, using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. Each recipe includes a concise statement of the problem and the approach you should take in order to solve it. A full code solution is also given, along with an in-depth explanation, so you can build on your development knowledge while you work on your application. The majority of recipes can be used with the Universal Windows app template, designed to help you build one consistent user experience across devices. These are supplemented with recipes for adapting your app to different devices, screen sizes and sensor availability. You'll also find out how to deploy and publish your apps in the Windows Store. Learn how to: Make use of the latest Universal Windows app features, alongside customizations for specific platforms and screen sizes. Bring your apps to life with live tiles, notifications, and sharing. Prepare your app to adapt to your users' different cultural and business environments using globalization and localization APIs and best practices. Understand the certification process and publish your app to the Windows Store, with the option to pay once, install anywhere. This book is suitable for anyone developing for Windows and Windows Mobile. Readers should be comfortable working with HTML and JavaScript. No previous experience with Microsoft technologies or languages is needed in order to use this book.

This book is the perfect introduction for anyone wanting to create sophisticated Windows 8 apps for the first time. Assuming only a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS we'll walk you through the development process using C# and VB. The book will familiarize you with the tools you'll need to use in order to make the most of Windows' stunning new features. You'll discover how to take advantage of the built-in functionality to create high quality user experiences.