ASP.NET 3.5 For Dummies®

23.3. Read the Reference Documentation

The .NET Framework Class Library (FCL) is so vast that it requires a searchable, electronic retrieval system to make it usable. Microsoft publishes complete documentation on the classes, interfaces, and types required to create ASP.NET and other .NET applications.

23.3.1. Built-in online help

Visual Web Developer includes a built-in online Help engine and gobs of valuable information. Within the IDE, press the F1 key to launch the help viewer or use the Help menu items.

23.3.2. Web-based reference material

Microsoft's Web-based MSDN Library has the most up-to-date reference material, including information added by community members. (If your knowledge can save someone pain, add the info to the official documentation.)

Because URLs change, your best bet is to navigate to http://search.msdn.microsoft.com/ and search for .NET Framework Class Library.

Ensure that you're reading the documentation for the latest version of .NET. For .NET 3.5, the URL usually includes the version vs.90 in parenthesis, such as http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms229335(vs.90).aspx.