.NET Development

[Farang]

I gave up on programming 6-7 years ago when I stopped playing around with PHP scripts. I haven't take a math class in two years. Currently I am trying to break into technical writing, and the local university offers a 3-month certificate program in .NET Development. It is somewhat expensive for just 3 courses ($2000+), but seeing as how I have no technical background I am trying to get one and this seems like the quickest way.

Here are the courses:

Course Descriptions

First Course
Introduction to Windows and Web Applications in C#
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., June 9- July 9, 2009; $679; 3 CEUs.

Instructor: Bruce Reynolds

This class covers the basic language structures. At the end of the class, students will be able to create a simple Windows application, a static Web site, and display database records in a Windows or a Web application.

Some of the language elements and programming concepts that will be covered include types, variables, garbage collection, expressions, statements, classes, structs and enums. This course will examine the most basic language skills for console applications. For instance, with Microsoft Windows, students will learn about event-driven programming, Windows forms, common user controls (TextBox, ListBox, RadioButton, Checkbox, Label, etc.), and displaying SQL data with the DataGridView. For ADO.NET, students will learn how to use DataSet, DataTable, and retrieve data from an existing database. In addition, students will learn how to:

* Identify syntax errors, run-time errors, and logic errors
* Use if statements to control the flow of logic
* Use a switch structure for multiple decisions
* Use do, while and for loops to execute a series of statements
* Establish an array and refer to individual elements in the array with subscripts
* Use a loop to traverse the elements of an array
* Create a structure for multiple fields of related data
* Store and look up data in multi-dimensional arrays
* Look up C# topics in Help

There will be no project for this course.
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Second Course
Intermediate Windows and Web Applications in C#
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., July 14-August 13, 2009; $679; 3 CEUs.

Instructor: Randal Root

Students in this course will learn about inheritance, interfaces, generics, polymorphism, delegates, events, and working with flat files. In Windows, they will learn about custom controls and user controls, as well as printing. For web applications, they will examine round-trips, web forms, and common user controls (TextBox, ListBox, RadioButton, Checkbox, Label, etc.). Within a framework, students will learn about XML, regular expressions, and debugging and tracking. Finally, students will learn to handle the following data in Windows applications: Create new records to a table, update records in a table, and delete records in a table.
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Third Course
Advanced Language Constructs
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., August 18-September 17, 2009; $679; 3 CEUs.

Instructor: David Figge

This course covers advanced language constructs, advanced use of the project system, and finishes the basic database tasks. Students will learn about using languages for namespaces and assemblies, versioning, extern aliases, attributes, anonymous methods, nullable types and LINQ. Within Windows, students will learn about:

* .NET Security
* Global Assembly Cache
* Windows Setup
* ClickOnce Deployment
* Integrating Help into the application
* Localization

Students will also learn about displaying XML data with the DataGrid for web applications, as well as how to use data in Windows apps for relationships and referential integrity, creating tables in a database, and security concepts in SQL. Multithreading and class libraries for both Windows and web applications will be examined. This course will include a data application project that demonstrates create, read, update, and delete (CRUD).

Will I able able to intelligently discuss software development with software developers after this course do you think?

 

[CuriousMike]

Software development is a wide field... those courses sound like a decent overview.

Like anything in life, it all depends on you.

i.e., if all you do in the course is the minimums ( you only do the homework and assignments ), then I'd pass.
If this is something you see yourself getting fired up about ( doing homework, assignments, and putting extra time coming up with your own programs), then you should consider it.

Granted, it might be hard to see at this point if this is something you can get fired up about.

The classes will help you discuss software development only if a seed is sown -- ideally, you get fired up, get a course or two under your belt, and decide "Man, these courses have shown me enough I think I can start my own side project. And I have this really good idea for what I want to do!" You won't know how to do everything for your project, which will lead you to *ask questions of other developers on "This is what I'm trying to do. How might I do it?"
That leads you to discussing with other engineers.

 

[nordloewelabs]

Originally posted by: CuriousMike
If this is something you see yourself getting fired up about ( doing homework, assignments, and putting extra time coming up with your own programs), then you should consider it.

the best way to know if .NET has the potential to fire one up, it's to start the learning from a beginner's book such as "Illustrated C#" or "Head First C#". if the OP can:

1) read at least 1/3 of a .NET book,
2) have a basic understanding of the topics,
3) remain interested in the subject,

he will (most likely) love the classes.... to the point that he might even become passionate enough to have the discussions to which he aspires. a book would cost very little and can help determining if the $2000 would be a good investment.

i think he should head to a book store and browse the aforementioned books, pick one of them, and later decide about the classes.

 

[manko]

You can also just download Visual Studio Express and get started with free online learning resources, starting at Microsoft.

Windows Development Tier Two

 

[Farang]

Thanks, I guess I mainly wanted to know if .NET is important, worth knowing, and possible to get a good handle of in just a few courses. Sounds like with some effort this course could be worthwhile. Good suggestion on checking out some books, I will do that.