Cedar Rapids .Net Users Group

January 10th, 2011 at 5:30pm

Language Integrated Query (LINQ, pronounced “link”) is a Microsoft
.NET Framework component that adds native data querying capabilities
to .NET languages. Think of LINQ as the SQL you write in your .Net
code against almost anything that holds data.

This presentation will introduce the LINQ syntax and concepts. We will
cover LINQ to SQL, LINQ to Objects, Standard Query Operators for LINQ
as well as Extension Methods. Developers can return to work tomorrow
and start implementing what they learn in VisualStudio 2008 or 2010.

Presenter: Dustin Thostenson

Dustin Thostenson is an independent .Net consultant, leading Delta 3
Consulting. He has been a developer and trainer in the Des Moines,
Iowa area for the last dozen years. His focus has been on Microsoft
technologies (ASP, VB, C#) with an emphasis on web development.
Experiences span from developer to architecture and mentoring roles.
To keep it interesting he teaches a couple of evening classes in
programming at Des Moines Area Community College, helps lead the Iowa
Dot Net User’s Group and volunteers in Central Iowa. To keep it real
he spends time with his wife and 4 kids. Follow Dustin on Twitter
@dustinson .

Microsoft’s Professional Developer Conference (PDC) is an event where they release information about trends and targets for their technology and tools releases that developers can use to build solutions. Last year they talked about Windows Phone, Silverlight 4, Azure and more. In this session Mike Benkovich will take us thru the main messages of what is announced at this year’s conference and show what new things developers should be aware of. From IE9 to Windows Phone Development, to OData and Azure, it will be a demo packed fun night of exploring the possible.

Mike Benkovich (twitter: @mbenko) delivers technical presentations around the U.S. as a developer evangelist on the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) team at Microsoft. He has worked in a variety of professional roles, including architect, project manager, developer, and technical writer. Mike is also an author of two books, published by WROX Press and APress, that show developers how to get the most from their SQL databases. Since appearing in the 1994 Microsoft DevCast, Mike has presented technical information at seminars, conferences, and corporate boardrooms across America.

Have you ever worked on system that could be described as a “Big Ball of Mud”? Have you ever wondered what you could do to become a better developer? In this presentation we’ll review the SOLID Principles and use them to solidify (pun intended) some “Muddy” code examples. You’ll leave this presentation with ideas on how to improve yourself, your
project and our industry.

Bio:
Tim Gifford has over twelve years experience with software development and has been leading Agile teams since 2004. In 2006 he co-founded Agile Iowa, a group devoted to the promotion and discussion of agile methodologies. Tim served as a leader of the Iowa .NET User Group. He speaks frequently to user groups and at conferences including the
annual International Agile Conference.

He spends his days as a Software Engineer for GeoLearning in West Des Moines, Iowa and continues to improve, make mistakes and learn. He volunteers as a mentor to Waukee High School students for the Technology Association of Iowa’s HyperStream program.