The book explores each topic using step-by-step examples, complete with large screen shots so that you can check the progress at every stage. Topics covered include planning an application, using HTML forms, designing a database, displaying live data in Web pages, and using SQL (structured query language) for more advanced queries. Search forms; inserting, editing, and deleting records online; writing custom code; and sending e-mail from your Web site are also explained.
As with any data-driven Web site, it is important to understand that you need a suitable application server. UltraDev supports Active Server Pages (ASP), JavaServer Pages, and ColdFusion. Most of the examples here use ASP, making it easy for Windows users to try them out using Microsoft's free Personal Web Server.
Aimed squarely at beginners, this book does not go into great depth. Its advantage is its friendly, accessible style combined with satisfying hands-on examples. --Tim Anderson, Amazon.co.uk