Best way to learn C# and .Net?

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
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I'm taking a class next semester for C# and .Net, and I wanted to get a head start on it (since I'm still new to programming). Does anyone have any recommendations on where I could possibly start learning it? Tutorials/guides online (online course?)? Books? etc...
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: presidentender
Jump in and do it. Pick up a copy of visual studio express and just play with it.

Jump in and do what? It's programming...I need something to go off of.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
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Not trying to be an ass, but if you want to be a good programmer you need to be able to use google. Simply googling for "C# Beginner Tutorials" will give you more then enough to get started with. So just download VS Express, find a tutorial and start playing around.
 

Schadenfroh

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Mar 8, 2003
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If it is an "intro to C#" class, then just wait for it. You will be bored to tears in it if you already know it.

C# is very easy, but I knew C++ and Java before learning it.
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
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Sep 16, 2005
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www.markbetz.net
C# as a language isn't difficult to learn if you have any programming background and understand the fundamentals. As was mentioned above there are a lot of tutorials. .NET, on the other hand, is a runtime environment, common type system, common intermediate language (like an OO assembler of sorts), and a massive framework of class libraries. There is a lot to it, so you really need to break it down into pieces. You could start by using the System.Windows.Forms namespace components to create a simple windows application of some kind.
 

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
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Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
If it is an "intro to .net" class, then just wait for it. You will be bored to tears in it if you already know it.

C# is very easy, but I knew C++ and Java before learning it.

I've only dabbled in it, and it seemed to be like a mix of c++ and java. object-oriented c++ with a ton of libraries.
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: Crusty
Not trying to be an ass, but if you want to be a good programmer you need to be able to use google. Simply googling for "C# Beginner Tutorials" will give you more then enough to get started with. So just download VS Express, find a tutorial and start playing around.

That's the first thing I did. :confused: I was simply asking for any personal recommendations. I'm the type that gets at people for asking questions they could find on Google. However, I was asking for personal recommendations...something that's harder to come by on Google. If that doesn't work, then I'll take whatever I can find.

I'm not also trying to be an ass...just wanted to see if anyone had recommendations. I trust opinions more on Anandtech than random websites.

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
If it is an "intro to .net" class, then just wait for it. You will be bored to tears in it if you already know it.

C# is very easy, but I knew C++ and Java before learning it.

I don't know C++ or Java...all I "know" is Scheme. Even if I'll be bored, at least it should be easier for me to get a higher grade (which after Calc 2 and my current CS class, I'll need it).
 

imported_Dhaval00

Senior member
Jul 23, 2004
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If you don't have any programming experience, pick up Jesse Liberty's Programming C# - it covers everything to get you up and running with the .NET Framework (ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Threading, Forms) as well as covers all the OOP fundamentals.
http://www.amazon.com/Programm...qid=1229037415&sr=8-12

Then pick up Andrew Troelsen's Pro C# 2008 - in my opinion, he had the best explanation on events and delegates. This book repeats many of the things from .NET 2.0, but covers new things like LINQ, anonymous types, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/2008-NET...&qid=1229037415&sr=8-2
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
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Originally posted by: Dhaval00
If you don't have any programming experience, pick up Jesse Liberty's Programming C# - it covers everything to get you up and running with the .NET Framework (ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Threading, Forms) as well as covers all the OOP fundamentals.
http://www.amazon.com/Programm...qid=1229037415&sr=8-12

Then pick up Andrew Troelsen's Pro C# 2008 - in my opinion, he had the best explanation on events and delegates. This book repeats many of the things from .NET 2.0, but covers new things like LINQ, anonymous types, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/2008-NET...&qid=1229037415&sr=8-2

Cool, thanks. :)

Any particular recommendations for online/free sources?
 

CrazyLazy

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2008
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Originally posted by: hans030390
Originally posted by: Dhaval00
If you don't have any programming experience, pick up Jesse Liberty's Programming C# - it covers everything to get you up and running with the .NET Framework (ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Threading, Forms) as well as covers all the OOP fundamentals.
http://www.amazon.com/Programm...qid=1229037415&sr=8-12

Then pick up Andrew Troelsen's Pro C# 2008 - in my opinion, he had the best explanation on events and delegates. This book repeats many of the things from .NET 2.0, but covers new things like LINQ, anonymous types, etc.
http://www.amazon.com/2008-NET...&qid=1229037415&sr=8-2

Cool, thanks. :)

Any particular recommendations for online/free sources?

As others have said, just jump right in programming something to complete a specific task. If along the way you don't know how to do something, which will probably happen a lot, google it. If that still doesn't help post a well thought out question in a forum like this one. Just reading a bunch of stuff won't make you good at programming.
 

nordloewelabs

Senior member
Mar 18, 2005
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2 more books: Illustrated C# (Apress); Programming VC# 2005, The Base Class Library. the latter is old, i know, but it's a lot of fun! it explains how to use the most common classes of the .NET BCL. the SDK is good, sounds very cryptic at times. IMHO, this book lays things down in a clearer way.

btw, Head First C# is great for n00bs! i strongly recommned it. check out the sample pages at Amazon or O'Reilly.
 

jEnus

Senior member
Jun 22, 2004
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I also recommend Head First C# - currently reading it and has explained a lot and is easy to follow.
 

EvilManagedCare

Senior member
Nov 6, 2004
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I haven't read Head First C#, but read most of Head First JSP. These are great for learning both the basic concepts and a good amount of deeper ones.