C# Book

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexander Mueller
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A

Alexander Mueller

Hi,

I am interested in C# however havent done very much with it yet
(basically nothing). Now I'd like to know whether there is any good book
which helps one to get started in C#. However I am not exactly looking
for the typical beginner's guide, which explains for the nth time "what
an integer is" or "how to create loops" but rather something which only
elaborates on the additional goodies of C# (in comparison to established
languages like C and Pascal) .... preferably something which points out
the differences to Java 1.4 (or even better 1.5). Is there any such book?

Thanks,
Alexander
 
I found "Learning C#" from O'Reilly to be a good read and didn't
rehash general programming stuff (just .NET/CLR stuff).

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/learncsharp/

Sam


Hi,

I am interested in C# however havent done very much with it yet
(basically nothing). Now I'd like to know whether there is any good book
which helps one to get started in C#. However I am not exactly looking
for the typical beginner's guide, which explains for the nth time "what
an integer is" or "how to create loops" but rather something which only
elaborates on the additional goodies of C# (in comparison to established
languages like C and Pascal) .... preferably something which points out
the differences to Java 1.4 (or even better 1.5). Is there any such book?

Thanks,
Alexander
Click to expand...

B-Line is now hiring one Washington D.C. area VB.NET
developer for WinForms + WebServices position.
Seaking mid to senior level developer. For
information or to apply e-mail resume to
sam_blinex_com.
 
Alexander said:
Hi,

I am interested in C# however havent done very much with it yet
(basically nothing). Now I'd like to know whether there is any good book
which helps one to get started in C#. However I am not exactly looking
for the typical beginner's guide, which explains for the nth time "what
an integer is" or "how to create loops" but rather something which only
elaborates on the additional goodies of C# (in comparison to established
languages like C and Pascal) .... preferably something which points out
the differences to Java 1.4 (or even better 1.5). Is there any such book?
Click to expand...

If you already know Java then there is not much to learn. You don't
even need a book (although I'd recommend a C# book tied to the
technology you plan to primarily use, like Windows.Forms or ASP.NET).

See the comparisons with java below, then check out some of the code
samples and you'll be ready to start coding real apps in no time:
http://genamics.com/developer/csharp_comparative.htm
http://www.25hoursaday.com/CsharpVsJava.html
http://www.harding.edu/USER/fmccown/WWW/java1_5_csharp_comparison.html
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,467080,00.asp

Next, you can learn quickest by viewing some existing C# samples:
http://codeproject.com/
http://c-sharpcorner.com/
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/downloads/samples/23samples/default.aspx

If you don't have Visual Studio, check out the free SharpDevelop IDE:
http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/
 
D said:
If you already know Java then there is not much to learn. You don't
even need a book (although I'd recommend a C# book tied to the
technology you plan to primarily use, like Windows.Forms or ASP.NET).
Click to expand...

Right now I cant say what I want to use "primarily" as I just want to
get familiar with C# for a start.
See the comparisons with java below, then check out some of the code
samples and you'll be ready to start coding real apps in no time:
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the links.
 
Greetings,

I am late into this thread but let me add my two-cents worth.

If you want to learn C#, I would recommend looking at books designed to
prepare you for the Microsoft certification exams. The advantage to them
is that, one, you get a broad spectrum of introduction into the .Net
framework and C#. and, two, you get a piece of paper that says you learned
something. Given two books, both about 1000 pages or more, you can either
study a semi-random set of topics or you can study a set of topics with a
goal of certification. Either way, you get 1000 pages of knowledge.

HTH

Dale Preston
MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE
 
Dale said:
Greetings,

I am late into this thread but let me add my two-cents worth.

If you want to learn C#, I would recommend looking at books designed to
prepare you for the Microsoft certification exams. The advantage to them
is that, one, you get a broad spectrum of introduction into the .Net
framework and C#. and, two, you get a piece of paper that says you learned
something. Given two books, both about 1000 pages or more, you can either
study a semi-random set of topics or you can study a set of topics with a
goal of certification. Either way, you get 1000 pages of knowledge.

HTH

Dale Preston
MCAD, MCDBA, MCSE
Click to expand...

Thanks Dale, I am not exactly after an certification yet, just trying to
get started in C# :). Do you have any specific book recommendations?

Alexander
 
Hi Alexander

You can get a lot of the information on C# from the sample chapters
available. A lot of these (70 chapters) are available in my C# ebook page,
(in signature).

Hope this helps

Publicjoe

C# Tutorial at http://www.publicjoe.f9.co.uk/csharp/tut.html
C# Ebook at http://www.publicjoe.f9.co.uk/csharp/samples/ebook.html
VB Tutorial at http://www.publicjoe.f9.co.uk/vbnet/vbnet.html
VB Ebook at http://www.publicjoe.f9.co.uk/vbnet/samples/ebook.html
Mirrors at http://dowhileloop.com/publicjoe/ and
http://publicjoe.justbe.com/

Useful Articles at http://www.madsally.co.uk
 
Alexander said:
Hi,

I am interested in C# however havent done very much with it yet
(basically nothing). Now I'd like to know whether there is any good book
which helps one to get started in C#. However I am not exactly looking
for the typical beginner's guide, which explains for the nth time "what
an integer is" or "how to create loops" but rather something which only
elaborates on the additional goodies of C# (in comparison to established
languages like C and Pascal) .... preferably something which points out
the differences to Java 1.4 (or even better 1.5). Is there any such book?

Thanks,
Alexander
Click to expand...

So far, I have found three books

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321136225
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735617791
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672324024

Does anyone have any particular comments about them? The second one
doesnt look bad.

Alexander
 
I don't have any comments on those books specifically, but in general
I've found C# books written by Java developers to be less than ideal
in that they may show the C# syntax and such but don't use .NET
methodology or tecniques well. This could just be the books I read,
but I remember a few books that I read and could very easily tell that
the author was more of a Java guy than a C# person.

The only one I remember off-hand being particular problematic was the
CodeNotes series from randomhouse (which had great Java books). The
..NET books were not readable. Another patterns book I read on C#
ignored .NET best practices and had more of a Java feel to the samples
(sorry, don't remember the title).

Best regards,

Sam


So far, I have found three books

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321136225
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735617791
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672324024

Does anyone have any particular comments about them? The second one
doesnt look bad.

Alexander
Click to expand...

B-Line is now hiring one Washington D.C. area VB.NET
developer for WinForms + WebServices position.
Seaking mid to senior level developer. For
information or to apply e-mail resume to
sam_blinex_com.
 
Samuel said:
I don't have any comments on those books specifically, but in general
I've found C# books written by Java developers to be less than ideal
in that they may show the C# syntax and such but don't use .NET
methodology or tecniques well. This could just be the books I read,
but I remember a few books that I read and could very easily tell that
the author was more of a Java guy than a C# person.
Click to expand...

I am not specifically after books written by former Java gurus ;), but
my primary intention for the posting was to find a book which does not
cover for the nth time the basics of integers, strings, objects,
instances, ..... I would gladly miss these topics, as I read about them
when I learned Basic, again with Pascal, later with C, even Assembler
didnt entirely leave them out .... at some point with PHP I just stopped
buying books ;)

Alexander
 
Hi Alexander,

With a similar goal to yourself, coupled with my interest in agile
development and following recommendations in the mailing lists I follow
I've bought 'Extreme Programming Adventures in C#' by Ron Jefferies.

I'm really enjoying it so far - I'm only at page 30 of 500 - new baby,
two other youngsters etc :-)

It is a 'Microsoft Professional' book.

Glenn
 
Kalani's C# Certification books. If they're too intimidating, I would
suggest Microsoft's Step-by-Step series for the .Net framework.

DalePres
 
Alexander said:
I am not specifically after books written by former Java gurus ;), but
my primary intention for the posting was to find a book which does not
cover for the nth time the basics of integers, strings, objects,
instances, ..... I would gladly miss these topics, as I read about them
when I learned Basic, again with Pascal, later with C, even Assembler
didnt entirely leave them out
Click to expand...

I posted my C# book recommendations as follows for a beginner seeking
advice:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group...ages.csharp/msg/3f6b3350f0703314?dmode=source

In your case, do not be too quick to dismiss a beginners C# book
because C# has added some new terms and modified others in comparison
to Java. And, some of these terms exist within the beginners layer of
knowledge. Thus, these terms are included with "the basics of integers,
strings, objects, instances" etc., etc., etc. Some of the these things
are as follows:

1. prefixing a string with the @ symbol for a verbatim string
2. use of the Parse and Convert methods
3. use of {} for string substitution
4. structs versus classes
5. a property of a class
6. boxing
7. delegates instead of listeners
8. typeof() versus GetType()

In a paint analogy, you have to decide whether you are going to paint
over the old coat, or grind down to the bare metal to apply primer and
then paint. That is, either get a C# for Java book, or start with a C#
beginners book.

In my case to start learning C#, I decided to grind down to the bare
metal, so I started with "Programming In The Key Of C#, A Primer For
Aspiring Programmers". I have no regrets for buying the book. If you
think that you can get up to speed without relying on a beginners book,
then put the pedal to the metal and jump into "Inside C#" and use the
on-line documentation.

For me, "Programming Microsoft Windows With C#" is much more than a sub-
stitute for a Swing book. And, I needed a Swing book when I programmed
in Java. If you have done some of your C programming on the Win32 API,
then this book will give you a feeling of deja vu all over again, but
with a slight disorientation as nothing remains the same.
.... at some point with PHP
Click to expand...

I do not know what PHP is ...
I just stopped buying books ;)
Click to expand...

.... but I sure want to know how you can stop buying books, perhaps some
kind of nicotine-type patch or methadone-type cocktail? I would like to
know because I am a computer book addict in need of treatment.

Good luck,
Doug
 
glennh said:
Hi Alexander,

With a similar goal to yourself, coupled with my interest in agile
development and following recommendations in the mailing lists I follow
I've bought 'Extreme Programming Adventures in C#' by Ron Jefferies.

I'm really enjoying it so far - I'm only at page 30 of 500 - new baby,
two other youngsters etc :-)
Click to expand...

I saw that book in the library. I would not recommend that book unless
you already know C# and are interested in pair programming and
test-driven development.
For beginners or anyone learning C#, it is not useful at all.
 
Doug said:
In your case, do not be too quick to dismiss a beginners C# book
because C# has added some new terms and modified others in comparison
to Java. And, some of these terms exist within the beginners layer of
knowledge. Thus, these terms are included with "the basics of integers,
strings, objects, instances" etc., etc., etc. Some of the these things
are as follows:
Click to expand...

Well, I AM a beginner in C#, but not in development in general. Hence I
do not want to dismiss books for beginners in C# but I want to avoid
books for beginners in development starting in C#.

Thats why I also stated my question that way, that I am looking for a
good book about C# for people coming from Java. From such a book, I
would expect all the basics of C# (what you mentioned) without all the
basics of development (integers, objects, instances, .....).
6. boxing
Click to expand...

Just for the good order, it was introduced with Java 1.5.
In a paint analogy, you have to decide whether you are going to paint
over the old coat, or grind down to the bare metal to apply primer and
then paint. That is, either get a C# for Java book, or start with a C#
beginners book.
Click to expand...

I know there are fundamental differences between Java and C#, but
overall I wouldnt consider them as THAT different. Certain classes have
to be handled differently, certain features are available in one but
missing in the other but the overall path is more than similar.
For me, "Programming Microsoft Windows With C#" is much more than a sub-
stitute for a Swing book. And, I needed a Swing book when I programmed
in Java. If you have done some of your C programming on the Win32 API,
then this book will give you a feeling of deja vu all over again, but
with a slight disorientation as nothing remains the same.
Click to expand...

The last time I touched native code for Win32, it was Delphi.
I do not know what PHP is ...
http://www.php.net

:)


... but I sure want to know how you can stop buying books, perhaps some
kind of nicotine-type patch or methadone-type cocktail? I would like to
know because I am a computer book addict in need of treatment.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it actually sounds a bit as if you were in need of it ;) ....
seriously, its a while since I adopted a new technology/language. The
last was PHP, and as the language itself is rather easy to learn and
there are that many resources online I didnt really feel the need for a
book.

Alexander
 
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