Leverage the full potential of Entity Framework with this collection of powerful and easy-to-follow recipes About This Book Learn how to use the new features of Entity Framework Core 1 Improve your queries by leveraging some of the advanced features Avoid common pitfalls Make the best of your .NET APIs by integrating with Entity Framework Who This Book Is For This book is for .NET developers who work with relational databases on a daily basis and understand the basics of Entity Framework, but now want to use it in a more efficient manner. You are expected to have some prior knowledge of Entity Framework. What You Will Learn Master the technique of using sequence key generators Validate groups of entities that are to be saved / updated Improve MVC applications that cover applications developed using ASP.NET MVC Core 1 Retrieve database information (table, column names, and so on) for entities Discover optimistic concurrency control and pessimistic concurrency control. Implement Multilatency on the data side of things. Enhance the performance and/or scalability of Entity Framework Core Explore and overcome the pitfalls of Entity Framework Core In Detail Entity Framework is a highly recommended Object Relation Mapping tool used to build complex systems. In order to survive in this growing market, the knowledge of a framework that helps provide easy access to databases, that is, Entity Framework has become a necessity. This book will provide .NET developers with this knowledge and guide them through working efficiently with data using Entity Framework Core. You will start off by learning how to efficiently use Entity Framework in practical situations. You will gain a deep understanding of mapping properties and find out how to handle validation in Entity Framework. The book will then explain how to work with transactions and stored procedures along with improving Entity Framework using query libraries. Moving on, you will learn to improve complex query scenarios and implement transaction and concurrency control. You will then be taught to improve and develop Entity Framework in complex business scenarios. With the concluding chapter on performance and scalability, this book will get you ready to use Entity Framework proficiently. Style and approach Filled with rich code-based examples, this book takes a recipe-based approach that will teach .NET developers to improve their understanding of Entity Framework and help them effortlessly apply this knowledge in everyday situations.

Learn how to use the power of Xcode to turn your next great app idea into a reality About This Book Learn the theory and tools behind app development using Swift 3 and Xcode 8 Build a fully featured iOS app, including a companion app for the Apple Watch Optimize, debug, and ultimately release your app on Test Flight and the App Store Who This Book Is For This book is intended for programmers looking to get a jump-start into the world of iOS development. Whether you’re a young student who has only spent a few months with Java, or a seasoned developer who has spent their career developing for a different platform, all that is expected is a basic understanding of a programming language such as C++, C#, or Java. What You Will Learn Understand the most important features of the Xcode IDE Write Swift 3 code for application data models and view controllers Prepare visual layouts for an iOS application using storyboards, size classes, and auto-layout Integrate many common technologies into an app, such as multi-touch gestures, CoreData, and notifications Build companion applications for the Apple Watch with watchOS 3 Debug applications using Xcode’s suite of debugging tools, and prevent bugs with unit testing Optimize an application using Xcode 8’s profiling tools and asset catalogs Distribute a beta application through TestFlight, and a finished application through the App Store In Detail Over the last few years, we’ve seen a breakthrough in mobile computing and the birth of world-changing mobile apps. With a reputation as one of the most user-centric and developer-friendly platforms, iOS is the best place to launch your next great app idea. As the official tool to create iOS applications, Xcode is chock full of features aimed at making a developer’s job easier, faster, and more fun. This book will take you from complete novice to a published app developer, and covers every step in between. You’ll learn the basics of iOS application development by taking a guided tour through the Xcode software and Swift programming language, before putting that knowledge to use by building your first app called “Snippets.” Over the course of the book, you will continue to explore the many facets of iOS development in Xcode by adding new features to your app, integrating gestures and sensors, and even creating an Apple Watch companion app. You’ll also learn how to use the debugging tools, write unit tests, and optimize and distribute your app. By the time you make it to the end of this book, you will have successfully built and published your first iOS application. Style and approach This easy-to-follow guide presents topics in a hands-on lecture format where concepts are introduced and explained, then used in an example as reinforcement. The first third of the book covers the separate building blocks of development, while the second two thirds cover the development of an app from start to finish.

Learn to build expert NLP and machine learning projects using NLTK and other Python libraries About This Book Break text down into its component parts for spelling correction, feature extraction, and phrase transformation Work through NLP concepts with simple and easy-to-follow programming recipes Gain insights into the current and budding research topics of NLP Who This Book Is For If you are an NLP or machine learning enthusiast and an intermediate Python programmer who wants to quickly master NLTK for natural language processing, then this Learning Path will do you a lot of good. Students of linguistics and semantic/sentiment analysis professionals will find it invaluable. What You Will Learn The scope of natural language complexity and how they are processed by machines Clean and wrangle text using tokenization and chunking to help you process data better Tokenize text into sentences and sentences into words Classify text and perform sentiment analysis Implement string matching algorithms and normalization techniques Understand and implement the concepts of information retrieval and text summarization Find out how to implement various NLP tasks in Python In Detail Natural Language Processing is a field of computational linguistics and artificial intelligence that deals with human-computer interaction. It provides a seamless interaction between computers and human beings and gives computers the ability to understand human speech with the help of machine learning. The number of human-computer interaction instances are increasing so it’s becoming imperative that computers comprehend all major natural languages. The first NLTK Essentials module is an introduction on how to build systems around NLP, with a focus on how to create a customized tokenizer and parser from scratch. You will learn essential concepts of NLP, be given practical insight into open source tool and libraries available in Python, shown how to analyze social media sites, and be given tools to deal with large scale text. This module also provides a workaround using some of the amazing capabilities of Python libraries such as NLTK, scikit-learn, pandas, and NumPy. The second Python 3 Text Processing with NLTK 3 Cookbook module teaches you the essential techniques of text and language processing with simple, straightforward examples. This includes organizing text corpora, creating your own custom corpus, text classification with a focus on sentiment analysis, and distributed text processing methods. The third Mastering Natural Language Processing with Python module will help you become an expert and assist you in creating your own NLP projects using NLTK. You will be guided through model development with machine learning tools, shown how to create training data, and given insight into the best practices for designing and building NLP-based applications using Python. This Learning Path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package and is designed to help you quickly learn text processing with Python and NLTK. It includes content from the following Packt products: NTLK essentials by Nitin Hardeniya Python 3 Text Processing with NLTK 3 Cookbook by Jacob Perkins Mastering Natural Language Processing with Python by Deepti Chopra, Nisheeth Joshi, and Iti Mathur Style and approach This comprehensive course creates a smooth learning path that teaches you how to get started with Natural Language Processing using Python and NLTK. You’ll learn to create effective NLP and machine learning projects using Python and NLTK.

Sauté your way through more than 100 hands-on recipes designed to prepare any server administrator to work with Windows Server 2016 About This Book Get the first book on the market to unleash the power of Windows Server 2016, which improves the lives of thousands of enterprise users Be the first to leverage the advent of Containers and Nano Server on Windows Server 2016, which utilizes the resources efficiently and increases productivity. This practical, recipe-based approach helps you to delivering global-scale cloud services into your infrastructure using Windows Server 2016 Who This Book Is For This book is for system administrators and IT professionals with experience in Windows Server 2012 R2 environments who are looking to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and maintain the core infrastructure required for a Windows Server 2016 environment. What You Will Learn Build the infrastructure required for a successful Windows network Navigate the new Server 2016 interface efficiently Implement solid networking and security practices into your Windows Server environment Design your own PKI and start issuing certificates today Explore the brand-new Nano Server functionality Enable nested virtualization on Hyper-V and Server Connect your remote laptops back to the corporate network using Microsoft's own remote access technologies, including DirectAccess Provide a centralized point for users to access applications and data by configuring Remote Desktop Services Compose optimal Group Policies Facilitate task automation with PowerShell 5.0 *ing In Detail This hands-on Cookbook is stuffed full of practical recipes that will help you handle the essential administrative tasks in Windows Server 2016. You’ll start by familiarizing yourself with the look and feel of Windows Server 2016, and will then learn how to navigate through some daily tasks using the graphical interface. You will see how to compose optimal Group Policies and facilitate task automation with PowerShell 5.0 *ing. We will also take a look at the functions available to provide remote network access to your traveling users, and explore the much anticipated Nano Server and Hyper-V built-in integration support that is brand new in Windows Server 2016. By the end of this book, you will know how to take your Windows Server 2016-powered server and turn it into any common infrastructure role that might be required in your company. Style and approach The book follows a recipe-based approach that starts with an introduction and the installation of Windows Server 2016, then dives into the powerful features, and then ends with the concept of security.

Gain the insights and techniques you need to give life to your own custom characters, machines, and scenes in Blender 3D About This Book Learn how to establish the basic shape of a character on the basis of templates, and take it to completion using the tools available in Blender Develop realistic and awesome machines for your 3D projects and animation films Discover advanced techniques by adding fur to a character, creating a grass field, and fine-tuning a shot with post-processing effects to enhance your creations Who This Book Is For This learning path is for those who know the basics of Blender and have hands-on experience with the software. We will directly dive into creating characters first. If you wish to use Blender to create games, animated films, and architecture simulations, this learning path will benefit you. What You Will Learn Use your sculpting skills to carve the character features from the mesh Find the best possible flow for your edge-loops to enhance the character features and to get the best possible range of deformation Mix both the Blender Internal and Cycles rendering engines in order to render materials as quickly as possible Know when and where to use various types of geometry—something that saves time in one instance will pose significant problems in another Create a 3D robot toy model from start to finish using the basic modeling tools of Blender Make a full alien character using the skin mesh modifier and the sculpting tools with an artistic approach Use re-topology techniques to create a clean 3D version of the previously sculpted alien Model a full haunted house and its environment using more advanced modeling tools and techniques such as the Array Modifier, Instance duplication, and Curves In Detail Blender 3D is one of the top 3D animation software available. As the Blender software grows more powerful and popular, there is a demand to take your modeling skills to the next level. This learning path is divided into three modules that will take you on this incredible journey of creating games. The first module will take you on a journey to understand the workflow normally used to create characters, from the modeling to the rendering stages, using the tools of the last official release of Blender exclusively. You will be making production-quality 3D models and characters quickly and efficiently, which will be ready to be added to your very own animated feature or game. The second module will help you develop a comprehensive skill set that covers the key aspects of mechanical modeling. You will create many types of projects, including a pistol, spacecraft, robot, and a racer. By the end of this module, you will have mastered a workflow that you will be able to apply to your own creations. The final module will help you to create many types of projects using a step-by-step approach. Each project in this module will give you more practice and increase your knowledge of the Blender tools and game engine. This learning path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package. It includes content from the following Packt products: Blender 3D Cookbook, Second Edition by Enrico Valenza Blender 3D Incredible Machines, Second Edition by Christopher Kuhn Blender 3D By Example by Romain Caudron and Pierre-Armand Nicq Style and approach This easy-to-follow course will teach you how to create complex 3D characters, create incredible machines, and put them together to create a 3D scene. Each topic is explained sequentially in the process of creating various models, and includes detailed explanations of the basic and advanced features.

Learn how to create mobile and full-stack web applications in JavaScript by getting a deeper insight into Meteor About This Book This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to build fast, complex web applications Over 65 hands-on recipes help you build and deploy elegant web applications Optimize your web application for production use Who This Book Is For If you are a web developer who is familiar with Meteor and has basic knowledge of web development, and you now want to explore new paradigms of single-page, real-time applications, this course is perfectly suited for you. What You Will Learn Secure your site with Meteor best practices Create reactive templates that update themselves when data changes Add routing to a single-page application and make it appear like a real website Make your own Meteor packages and see how to make them public Rapidly build robust, responsive user interfaces Publish your own reusable custom packages Optimize your site for load speed with advanced publishers and subscribers Master the intricacies of front-end development using Jeet, Bootstrap, CSS animations, and more Leverage the aggregation framework to produce results with big data Optimize your site for search engine visibility In Detail Meteor is best JavaScript development platform and is packed with collections of libraries and packages bound together in a tidy way to take care of everything from development to production, making your web development easier. This course follows a learning path divided into three modules. Each module is a mini course in its own right, taking your knowledge to a new level as you progress. The first module takes you from the installation of Meteor to building a fully working web blog (including back end) to create and edit posts. Your path will begin with the basic concepts and folder structure of a Meteor project, learning how Meteor templates work to test packages, and seeing the application itself. The second module is a cookbook that starts with simple recipes designed for quick reference, and culminating advanced recipes that walk you through building and deploying a complete application. The cookbook covers all the major areas of Meteor development, including lesser-known and undocumented features too. With all the important concepts covered in the previous modules, the third module will get you equipped with simple solutions to boost your development skills. You’ll learn about mapping of real-world data and optimizing it, how to optimize and secure web applications and how to deploy and maintain it without breaking its features. Throughout the module, you will put your skills into practice and build an online shop from scratch. This Learning Path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package. It includes content from the following Packt products: Building Single-page Web Apps with Meteor, Fabian Vogelsteller Meteor Cookbook, Isaac Strack Meteor Design Patterns, Marcelo Reyna Style and approach This practical handbook has a step-by-step approach to help you improve your developer skills and efficiently built web applications using Meteor.

60 practical recipes that help you gain expertise with Docker networking and understand the underlying constructs that make it all work About This Book Enhance your Docker networking skills and protect your organization using advanced networking functions Learn how to use third party tools to extend Docker networking This practical and recipe-based book demonstrates the different ways in which you can network containers leveraging the Docker engine. Who This Book Is For The book is for system administrators as well as developers who are well versed with the concepts of Docker and have basic knowledge of Docker networking. You should also have sound knowledge of networking in general. What You Will Learn Configure Linux networking primitives used by Docker networking Build and deploy user-defined Docker networks Examine the different options for resolving and linking containers Implement custom networks for Docker to consume Discover third-party networking plugins such as Weave and Flannel Work through solutions to secure Docker containers and networks Observe methodologies for troubleshooting container networks Explore advanced and experimental Docker networking features In Detail Networking functionality in Docker has changed considerably since its first release, evolving to offer a rich set of built-in networking features, as well as an extensible plugin model allowing for a wide variety of networking functionality. This book explores Docker networking capabilities from end to end. Begin by examining the building blocks used by Docker to implement fundamental containing networking before learning how to consume built-in networking constructs as well as custom networks you create on your own. Next, explore common third-party networking plugins, including detailed information on how these plugins inter-operate with the Docker engine. Consider available options for securing container networks, as well as a process for troubleshooting container connectivity. Finally, examine advanced Docker networking functions and their relevant use cases, tying together everything you need to succeed with your own projects. Style and approach This practical recipe-based book will take readers to next level of Docker networking. It covers relevant use cases and the advanced features of Docker

Build exhilarating gaming experiences using a wide range of game elements in Unity 5.x About This Book Achieve your goals in a fun-filled way by creating gamification projects from scratch Leverage the Unity 5.X toolkit to create stunning and appealing projects Make your transition towards a pro project manager/ developer by learning tricks and techniques Who This Book Is For If you are a project manager, game developer, or programmer who wants to create successful end-to-end gamification projects from scratch, then this is the book for you. You do not need any previous experience of working with Unity 5.X. All the details required to make the most of gamifying your projects are provided in the book. What You Will Learn Assess your learners’ abilities by setting up challenges and quests Implement the game elements that relate to the project into Unity Publish your own task management application to better engage readers Improve your design using methods of playtesting and iteration Issue OpenBadges to recognize achievements and set up an online database to store your users achievements. In Detail Are you looking at implementing gamification techniques for your business and wondering where to get a complete rundown of all the tricks and techniquesWell, you have come to the right place! This book will start right from the basics such as gameplay elements and their functionalities before gradually moving onto creating your first gamification project from scratch. You’ll be given the tools and shown how to perform various techniques for creating gamified applications in different contexts. Finally, you will implement various game elements into Unity, publish your own task management application, and get to know the best practices and approaches when designing gamified experiences. Style and approach This book takes a real-world case studies approach, moving ahead in a step-by-step tutorial manner. You will create your own project from scratch, and the practical examples will help you create a successful gamification project.

Fast-track your development skills to build powerful Odoo 10 business applications About This Book Get the most up-to-date guide on Odoo 10 and learn how to build excellent business applications with Odoo This example-rich, easy-to-follow guide enables you to build apps appropriate to your business needs Create solid business applications with the help of this precise, to-the-point guide Who This Book Is For This book caters to developers who are familiar with Python and MVC design and now want to build effective business applications using Odoo. What You Will Learn Install Odoo from source code and use all the basic techniques to setup and manage your Odoo server instances Create your first Odoo application Add Odoo's social and messaging features to your own modules Get to know the essentials of Models and Views Understand and use the server API to add business logic Use Qweb to create custom Reports Extend Odoo CMS features to create your own website controllers and pages Leverage Odoo Workflows on your applications Write module automated tests and debugging techniques Deploy your Odoo applications for production use In Detail Odoo is one of the fastest growing open source, business application development software products available. With announcement of Odoo 10, there are many new features added to Odoo and the face of business applications developed with Odoo has changed. This book will not only teach you how to build and customize business applications with Odoo, but it also covers all the new features that Odoo has to offer. This book is the latest resource on developing and customizing Odoo 10 applications. It comes packed with much more and refined content than its predecessor. It will start with building business applications from scratch and will cover topics such as module extensions, inheritance, working with data, user interfaces, and so on. The book also covers the latest features of Odoo 10, in addition to front end development, testing and debugging techniques. The book will also talk about Odoo Community and Odoo Enterprise. Style and approach This book follows a step-by-step practical approach where you will learn new concepts with every progressing chapter and create apps for business development.

A Random Act of Kindness Businessman Nick Thornton couldn't help being impulsive. But he had no misgivings about hiring away the fesity new waitress at his favorite diner. After all, he could spot a person in need, and Rona Meyers needed a protector. Yet, as he got to know her, he was humbled by her caring and no-nonsense attitude. Maybe he was the one in need–after all those long years he'd been struggling to keep his faith. With his sense of family shattered, Nick couldn't stop wondering if God wanted him to have a new beginning. And a new chance at love.

With dreams bigger than Silver Lake, Texas, Kate Wallace left a trail of heartbreak when she headed for the big city. Now, her goals unmet, she's returned home. Silver Lake has gone on without her–so has Rob Chambers, the boy she left behind. Now a man, the single dad has a beautiful daughter. Kate knows he wants the same things she does–love and family–but he's built a wall she can't break down. In spite of the past, can Kate reach Rob and teach him to trust her? Will their faith bring them together so they can find love again?

Back From The Big Time… She could scarcely believe her eyes. An enormous tour bus had arrived in Dry Creek, and from it stepped hometown hero Duane Enger, now a music celebrity. Linda Morgan, owner of the local café, had thought her ex-boyfriend had become too famous for the small-town life she loved. But something had pulled Duane back. Maybe he missed a slower, easier life. Maybe he sought to regain his faith. Or maybe it was the girl he'd left behind. Whatever it was, Duane was now finding life in Dry Creek–and Linda–just as intriguing as life in the fast lane.

A heart full of love for the orphaned boy he saved from a war-torn country? Check. Adoption forms filled out? Check. Yet M.A.S.H. surgeon Mike Montgomery is barely back on U.S. soil when his plans are squashed. Someone else has already petitioned to adopt little Ali: Sarah Alpert, the boy's foster mother–and Mike's former fiancée. Sarah broke his heart, but he won't break hers by sticking around. Until a little boy puts his holiday wish–for the mom and dad of his dreams–into adorable action.

Trapped in a mine shaft with a little girl, September Stevens prays for someone to save them. When help arrives in the form of army ranger Mark Hawkins, the best friend of her late fiance, they both feel God's hand at work. Together they help each other rebuild their lives. As they let the spirit of the holidays into their hearts, feelings of new love start to take hold. But September is afraid to risk her heart on another soldier. Until Mark offers a Christmas vow, one that could last a lifetime.

Businessman Dies Of Boredom In One-Stoplight Town Not even that headline–however true–would save the Oak Hill Gazette. Mark Campbell had been sent to the tiny Missouri town with one goal: to convince Abby Warner to sell her family's financially troubled newspaper to his conglomerate. Then he'd head back to the city and never look back. But it turned out there was much more to Oak Hill than jaywalking chickens and one-hundred-year-old residents. There was beautiful, gutsy Abby. And the way he'd come to feel about her was front-page worthy.

He's an officer…but is he a gentleman? Not if you ask feisty single mom Kate MacDonald! Everything about Lieutenant Craig Cole, Nantucket's new Coast Guard commander, rubs her the wrong way. Worse, everyone else is smitten with the man–including Kate's four-year-old daughter. Local gossip reveals that Craig has saved many in the line of duty. He's a true hero. Kate doesn't want to like him–she certainly doesn't want to love him–but Craig's quiet honor could win her heart after all.

Spending the summer in tiny, idyllic Cooper's Landing sounded wonderful to play-it-safe teacher Evie McBride. She'd read, relax and run her dad's antique shop while he set out on a fishing trip. So how did she end up tutoring neighbor Sam Cutter's troubled teenaged niece? Especially since Sam's handsome face and sense of adventure didn't give her a moment's peace. Nor did the news that her dad wasn't out there looking for trout, but for a centuries-old sunken dowry with criminal ties. Ties that bound Evie and Sam to danger…and to each other.

Handsome Boss Otherwise how would chef Cassidy Preston ever quit her job? Cooking at The Haven, a new outreach mission in Chicago, was temporary–payback for a huge favor. But the shelter was Tyson St. John's life. And it provided him a place to raise his orphaned nephew, a boy sorely in need of a mother figure and Ty's love. But something was holding Ty back from opening that hardened heart of his. Something Cassidy found herself working overtime to uncover. And, once she did, she'd have to prove to Ty that she should have a very permanent position…as his wife!

Overnight, Caitlyn Villard becomes mother to twin five-year-olds. Her darling nieces are orphaned, their parents fallen soldiers. So Caitlyn trades New York City for Prairie Springs, Texas, the small military town she'd run from at first chance. Loving the girls is easy. Learning how to be a slow-paced soccer mom is not. Which is where handsome army chaplain Steve Windham steps in. Just in time to show Caitlyn that sometimes you find the man–and life–of your dreams where you least expected.

Former soldier and rodeo rider Zachary McClure's war injuries are far deeper than physical. Skeptical that anyone can reach the dark place in his soul, he visits an Albuquerque equine therapy ranch with no expectations. How can horses possibly mend his physical and emotional injuries when nothing - and no one - else has? He finds the answer when he meets Sophie Powell, an ex-army medic with a sunny smile, gentle touch and a determination to help others through horse therapy. But behind her big hopes and cheerful attitude lurks pain - and Zachary is just the man to change that. He can make Sophie's dreams a realityand she may be the woman to heal this wounded hero's heart.

A church full of guests… But where was Alice Bryson's fiancé? He was hightailing it out of the Louisiana bayou, with Alice's heart and the townspeople's trust. So how could she believe in another handsome stranger who vows to rebuild their hurricane-battered community? Yet developer Jonah Sheridan promises to do just that. His motive: a secret –about his infamous biological family, folks Jonah never knew. As a reporter, Alice is determined to uncover it. Until Jonah risks everything by opening up…the first of many gifts of wonder in store for Alice, Jonah and their beloved bayou.