Rapidly retrieve data from your database into .NET objects Incorporate robust, efficient data access into your .Net projectsGain database independence, not tied to any particular technologyAvoid spending countless hours developing data access layersEliminate writing stored proceduresClear, precise step-by-step directions to get up and running quickly In DetailNHibernate is an open source object-relational mapper, or simply put, a way to retrieve data from your database into standard .NET objects. Quite often we spend hours designing the database, only to go back and re-design a mechanism to access that data and then optimize that mechanism. This book will save you time on your project, providing all the information along with concrete examples about the use and optimization of NHibernate. This book is an approachable, detailed introduction to the NHibernate object-relational mapper and how to integrate it with your .NET projects. If you're tired of writing stored procedures or maintaining inline SQL, this is the book for you. Connecting to a database to retrieve data is a major part of nearly every project, from websites to desktop applications to distributed applications. Using the techniques presented in this book, you can access data in your own database with little or no code. This book covers the use of NHibernate from a first glance at retrieving data and developing access layers to more advanced topics such as optimization and Security and Membership providers. It will show you how to connect to multiple databases and speed up your web applications using strong caching tools. We also discuss the use of third-party tools for code generation and other tricks to make your development smoother, quicker, and more effective. This easy-to-follow guide will show you how to connect the NHibernate object-relational mapper to your projects to create a rich, efficient, object-oriented data access layer with little or no additional work What you will learn from this book Use NHibernate to retrieve and store data in your databaseDevelop an efficient, robust data access layer with little or no codeDesign or modify your database for high performanceConnect to multiple databases or database backends with simple codeImplement base classes to provide basic functionality for all database objectsImprove the performance of your data retrieval methods with proven open source technologyMake web applications faster using strong caching strategies such as memcachedSimplify data storage and display using built-in .NET data controls with NHibernateUsing NHibernate to control application security using Membership and Role providers and .NET security controls ApproachThis is a beginner's guide to NHibernate that starts from ground zero. Successive chapters build upon earlier concepts, while the sample code presents various ways to accomplish typical data access tasks. Within a few chapters you have a running application using NHibernate to retrieve and store data. We examine all of the topics required to get a functional data access layer implemented by writing the least amount of code possible, presenting options along the way to handle particular edge cases or situations as they arise. When you have completed the various exercises you will have running data-bound desktop and web applications, as well as an understanding of how to implement NHibernate in your own applications. Who this book is written forThis book is for new and seasoned developers of .NET web or desktop applications who want a better way to access database data. It is a basic introduction to NHibernate, with enough information to get a solid foundation in using NHibernate. Some advanced concepts are presented where appropriate to enhance functionality or in situations where they are commonly used. About the AuthorAaron Cure has been a developer for over fifteen years, developing web applications, Windows and web services, desktop applications, external interfaces, custom hardware, and everything in between. Many of his applications run in both Windows and Linux environments using the Mono .NET framework. He has extensive experience using multiple data access technologies, as well as knowledge of multiple database server platforms. He is a frequent contributor to open source applications, including the NHibernate Generation project he started on Sourceforge. Aaron Cure PrefaceChapter 1: First LookChapter 2: Database Layout and DesignChapter 3: A Touch of ClassChapter 4: Data CartographyChapter 5: The Session ProcessionChapter 6: I'm a LoggerChapter 7: ConfigurationChapter 8: Writing QueriesChapter 9: Binding DataChapter 10: .NET SecurityChapter 11: It's a Generation ThingChapter 12: Odds and EndsAppendix: Pop Quiz AnswersIndex