This book comprehensively documents service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Windows Azure advances in the .NET world. It uses many code-level examples to make the information approachable, and the topics covered include Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Azure, service composition and orchestration through Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Azure AppFabric, BizTalk, Windows Presentation Foundation, and security matters. The concepts are well contextualized, and the “Service-Orientation Principles Reference” and “SOA Design Patterns Reference” appendices are useful and handy for quick consultation.

The amount of information and the range of applications covered are impressive. While reading the book, however, I had a nagging feeling of incompleteness. The authors introduce concepts well, but don’t fully explain them. Code sometimes breaks the reader’s attention without adding much useful information. I would probably not refer back to this book for a refresher on the meaning of an Extensible Markup Language (XML) chunk of code; instead, I would turn to the Web, since that would be quicker and easier to do. On the other hand, I would flip through this book to remember concepts and strategies.

Using code can be dangerous if not done properly (the SOA code and examples are similar to those in Erl’s other books). Complete examples--namely code for the complete solutions--would have given readers a complete view of the authors’ explanations, which would have made the book a real reference.

In addition, I must comment on the inappropriateness of the title, which puts SOA and Windows Azure on the same level. I would have happily read more on Windows Azure; here, however, its discussion is only generic and introductory.

Perfect in design, layout, font, and picture quality, this basic introduction to Microsoft’s distributed technologies is for young developers and architects interested in SOA design principles.