Building Websites with VB.NET and DotNetNuke 4

Daniel N. Egan, Michael Washington, Steve Valenzuela

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Building Websites with VB.NET and DotNetNuke 4

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Overview

Table of Contents

The Author

Reviews

Downloads

Specially revised and updated version of this acclaimed DotNetNuke book
Create and manage your own website with DotNetNuke
Customize and enhance your site with skins and custom modules
Extensive coverage of the DAL and DAL+ for custom module development

Complete coverage of setup, administration, and development

Book Details

Language : English
Paperback : 336 pages [ 235mm x 191mm ]
Release Date : October 2006
ISBN : 190481199X
ISBN 13 : 978-1-904811-99-2
Author(s) : Daniel N. Egan, Michael Washington, Steve Valenzuela
Topics and Technologies : All Books, Microsoft Development , Content Management (CMS), DotNetNuke, Microsoft, .NET

Introduction
Chapter 1: What is DotNetNuke?
Chapter 2: Installing DotNetNuke
Chapter 3: Users, Roles, and Pages
Chapter 4: Standard DotNetNuke
Chapter 5: Host and Admin Tools
Chapter 6: Understanding the DotNetNuke Core Architecture
Chapter 7: Custom Module Development
Chapter 8: Connecting to the Database
Chapter 9: Skinning Your Site
Chapter 10: Deploying Your DNN Portal
Chapter 11: Creating Multiple Portals
Index

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is DotNetNuke?
- Open-Source Web Portals
  - What is a Web Portal?
  - Common Portal Features
  - Why DotNetNuke?
    - PHP-Nuke
    - Metadot
    - Rainbow
    - DotNetNuke
  - Benefits of Using an Established Program
- The DotNetNuke Community
  - Core Team
  - The DotNetNuke Discussion Forum
  - The Bug Tracker
  - DotNetNuke Project Roadmap Team
- The License Agreement
- Coffee Connections
  - Determining Client Needs
    - What is a User Story?
    - Advantages of Using User Stories
    - Coffee Connections User Stories
- Summary

Chapter 2: Installing DotNetNuke
- Installing DotNetNuke (Local Version)
  - Clean Installation
  - Downloading the Code
  - Setting Up a Virtual Directory
    - Using Windows Explorer (the Easy Way)
    - Using the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard
  - Verifying Default Documents
  - Setting Security Permissions
  - Setting up the Database
- Upgrading
  - Upgrade Checklist
  - Back Up Your Database
  - Back up Your DotNetNuke files
- Logging In as Admin and Changing Passwords
- Summary

Chapter 3: Users, Roles, and Pages
- User Accounts
  - What is a User?
  - Creating User Accounts
    - Setting Required Registration Fields
    - Managing a Profile
    - Registering a User Manually
- Understanding DotNetNuke Roles
  - Assigning Security Roles to Users
- Understanding DotNetNuke Pages and tabIDs
  - Administering Pages
- Summary

Chapter 4: Standard DotNetNuke
- DotNetNuke Modules
  - Adding a Module
  - Module Settings
    - Editing a Module
    - Importing and Exporting Content
    - Syndicate Information
    - Online Help and Documentation
    - Editing Module Functionality
- Standard Modules
  - Account Login Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features
  - Announcements Module
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features
  - Banner Module
  - Blog Module
    - Administration and Modification
  - Contacts Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features
  - Documents Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - Events Module
    - Administration and Modification
  - FAQs Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - Feedback Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - Forums Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
  - Gallery Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
  - Help Module
    - Practical Purposes
  - IFrame Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features/Additional Information
  - Image and Media Modules
    - Practical Purpose
    - Administration and Modification
  - Links Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Features
  - News Feed (RSS) Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features
  - Repository Module
    - Administration and Modification
  - Survey Module
    - Administration and Modification
  - Text/HTML Module
    - Practical Purposes
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - User Accounts Module
    - Practical Purpose
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - User Defined Table Module
    - Practical Purpose
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
  - XML/XSL Module
    - Practical Purpose
    - Administration and Modification
    - Special Features and Additional Information
- Summary

Chapter 5: Host and Admin Tools
- The Difference between Host and Admin
- Admin Tools
  - Site Settings
    - Basic Settings
    - Advanced Settings
    - Stylesheet Editor
  - Pages Menu
  - Security Roles
  - User Accounts
  - Vendors
  - Site Log
  - Newsletters
  - File Manager
  - Recycle Bin
  - Log Viewer
  - Skins
  - Languages
- Host Tools
  - Host Settings
    - Basic Settings
    - Advanced Settings
  - Portals
  - Module Definitions
  - File Manager
  - Vendors
  - SQL
  - Schedule
  - Languages
  - Search Admin
  - Lists
  - Superuser Accounts
  - Extra Options on the Admin Menu
  - Common Tasks
- Summary

Chapter 6: Understanding the DotNetNuke Core Architecture
- Architecture Overview
- Diving into the Core
  - Using the Context Object in Your Application
  - Working with the Configuration Files
  - The web.config File
    - Application Settings
  - The Global Files
    - Global.aspx.vb
    - Application Start
    - Examining Application_BeginRequest
  - The Globals.vb File
- Putting It All Together
- Summary

Chapter 7: Custom Module Development
- Setting up the Development Environment
- The Coffee Shop Listing Module
  - Creating the View Control
  - Displaying the Module
  - What we have Accomplished
    - The Module Folder Structure
    - Inheriting from PortalModuleBase
    - Module Configuration
    - Diagnosing Errors using the Log Viewer
- Navigation and Localization
  - Create EditShopList.ascx
  - Navigation
  - Localization
  - Update the Configuration
  - Navigate from ShopList to EditShopList
  - What we have Accomplished
    - IActionable
    - NavigateUrl
    - Adding Localization
- Summary

Chapter 8: Connecting to the Database
- DotNetNuke Data Access Layer (DAL)
- Create the Database Elements
  - Execute the SQL Script
  - Create the Class Files
  - Insert the DAL+ Code
  - Create the Settings Page
  - Update the Configuration
  - View the Settings Page
  - What we have Accomplished
    - SQL Scripts
    - The DAL+
    - The Business Logic Layer (BLL)
    - The Settings Page
- Comparing the DAL to the DAL+
- A Close-up Look at the DAL
  - Create the DataProvider.vb
  - Create the SqlDataProvider.vb
  - Create the BLL Layer
  - DAL Summary
- Complete the Presentation Layer
  - Alter and Complete ShopList
  - Alter and Complete EditShopList
  - Build and View the Module
- Implementing Optional Interfaces
  - Implementing IPortable
  - Implementing ISearchable
  - Making IPortable and ISearchable Work
  - Testing Your Module
- Packaging Your Module for Distribution
  - Installation Scripts
  - Create the Installation Scripts
  - The Install ZIP File
  - Testing Your Installation
- Summary

Chapter 9: Skinning Your Site
- What Are Skin Packages?
- Uploading a Skin Package
- Applying the Skin
- Creating a Custom Skin
- What Tools can we Use?
- Creating a Skin Using HTML
  - Creating the HTML Files
  - Creating the Container
  - Creating the XML Support Files
- Creating a Skin Using Visual Web Developer
  - Creating the Web User Controls
  - Placing the Skin Objects
  - Placing the Container Objects
- Creating the Cascading Style Sheets
- Creating the Skin Package
- Summary

Chapter 10: Deploying Your DNN Portal
- Acquiring a Domain Name
- Finding a Hosting Provider
- Preparing Your Local Site
- Setting Up the Database
  - Backup and Restore Database
  - Build New Database
- FTP Your Files
- Summary

Chapter 11: Creating Multiple Portals
- Multiple Portals
- Parent Portals versus Child Portals
  - Setting up a Parent Portal
    - Registering Your Domain and Setting the DNS
    - Creating a Parent Portal
  - Setting Up a Child Portal
- Creating Portal Templates
- Using the Site Wizard
- Managing Multiple Portals
- Summary

Index

Daniel N. Egan

Over the past seven years, Daniel has held a variety of positions in the information technology and engineering fields. Currently, he is a System Development Specialist for Automated Data Processing's Southern California region working extensively in database applications and Web development. Daniel is an MCP and MCSD.

In addition to his development work, he teaches a VB.NET Certification course at California State University Fullerton as well as serves on its .NET Advisory board. He is also the founder and chief author of Dot Net Doc (http://www.DotNetDoc.com), a .NET and DNN developer resource website built using the DotNetNuke framework. He has written numerous articles on DotNetNuke and the underlying DNN architecture. He is also the founder of the LA/Orange County DNN Usergroup and is currenly working on two DNN Related projects. DNNUsergroup Online (http://www.DNNUGOnline.com), a portal designed to allow usergroups to broadcast their meetings online. DotNetNuke Radio, a live internet radio show about DotNetNuke.

Michael Washington

Michael Washington is a Website developer and an ASP.NET, C#, and Visual Basic programmer. He is a DotNetNuke Core member and has been involved with DotNetNuke for over 3 years. He is the author of numerous DotNetNuke modules and tutorials. He is one of the founding members of the Southern California DotNetNuke Users group. He has a son, Zachary and resides in Los Angeles with his wife Valerie.

Steve Valenzuela

Steve is the manager of the University Extended Education (UEE) IT Department at California State University, Fullerton, where he has worked for the last 5 years. Steve has worked specifically with DotNetNuke for over 2 years, in that time re-designing and delivering various Extended Education websites on the DotNetNuke portal framework as well as designing and delivering custom modules that support the function of University Extended Education.

Concisely written and with clear explanations, this book covers installation, administration, deployment, site creation and all of the basic built in DotNetNuke modules. For developers, chapters on the core architecture, skinning and custom modules, will give skills required to customize and extend their site. Hence, this book has been written for both, beginners wanting to set up a website and also ASP.NET developers with a grasp of VB.NET who want a deeper understanding of how to work with DotNetNuke.

Sample chapters

You can view our sample chapters and prefaces of this title on PacktLib or download sample chapters in PDF format.

Find your book in our support section to find errata and to download code samples.

What you will learn from this book

This book will give you the skills to create and manage DotNetNuke websites as quickly as possible. You will:

Install and configure DotNetNuke
Master the standard modules
Understand the core architecture of DotNetNuke
Explore the inner workings of DotNetNuke modules
Extend DotNetNuke using the DAL and DAL+ to create powerful custom modules
Create your own skin using a HTML Editor
Find out about where and how to host and deploy your site

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In Detail

DotNetNuke is an open-source Content Management System and web application framework. DotNetNuke has taken the Microsoft world by storm and now at version 4, its community has grown to over 200,000 users.

This book covers virtually everything you need to know to get your DotNetNuke website up and running. Concisely written and with clear explanations, this book is covers installation, administration, deployment, site creation and all of the basic built in DotNetNuke modules. For developers, chapters on the core architecture, skinning and custom modules, including coverage of the DAL+, give you the skills to customize and extend your site.

The book starts off by giving you a deep understanding of working with basic DotNetNuke sites, guiding you through the features and giving you the confidence to create and manage your site.

After that, you will journey to the heart of DotNetNuke, and learn about its core architecture. Always concise, relevant and practical, you will find out what makes DotNetNuke tick, and from there, you will be ready to customize DotNetNuke. Developers will enjoy the detailed walkthrough of creating a new custom modules. Special emphasis is given to the DAL+, an extended feature set of the DotNetNuke Data Access Layer (DAL). You will see how to create custom modules with the DAL+, and invigorate your module development.

Web designers will enjoy the material on skinning, helping them to create a new look for their site. You will learn about creating new skins, and packaging them up for easy deployment.

You will master all of this as you leap into the development of a DotNetNuke 4 site.

Revised and updated for DotNetNuke 4, this renowned book is your indispensable guide to creating content-rich websites with DotNetNuke, as quickly as possible. This is the only book to provide in-depth coverage of the DAL+, an extended feature set of the DotNetNuke Data Access Layer (DAL) introduced in version 4.3 of DotNetNuke that makes developing custom modules fast and easy.

Visit the Free Online Edition for Building Websites with VB.NET and DotNetNuke 4 and learn more about the book and discover what each chapter from this book has in store.

http://dotnetnuke-4book.packtpub.com

Approach

You can use this book to help you set up and administer a DotNetNuke portal, even if you have a limited knowledge of ASP.NET. You will learn how to setup and administer an example site, stepping through all the tasks to ease your learning.

If you are a developer, this book will help you extend the DotNetNuke portal by first helping you understand how the core framework works and then show you how to create custom modules and skins. A rudimentary knowledge of VB.NET programming is assumed, but the emphasis is not on becoming a better VB.NET programmer but on taming DotNetNuke.

Who this book is for

This book has been written for both the beginner wanting to set up a website and also ASP.NET developers with a grasp of VB.NET who want a deeper understanding of how to work with DotNetNuke. To work with the DotNetNuke code, you will need access to Visual Web Developer Express or Visual Studio .NET 2005. No prior knowledge of DotNetNuke is assumed.