If you're a novice programmer and you want to learn C#, there aren't many books that will guide you. Most C# books are written for experienced C++ and Java programmers. That's why Jesse Liberty, author of the best-selling books Programming C# and Programming ASP.NET , has written an entry-level guide to C#.

Written in a warm and friendly manner, Learning C# assumes no prior programming experience, and provides a thorough introduction to Microsoft's premier .NET language. The book helps you build a solid foundation in .NET, and shows you how to apply your skills through the use of dozens of tested examples. You'll learn about the syntax and structure of the C# language, including operators, classes and interfaces, structs, arrays, and strings.

Better yet, this updated edition of Learning C# has been completely revised to include the latest additions to the C# language plus a variety of learning aids to help lock-in new knowledge and skills. Here's what's new:

• Extensive revisions to the text and examples to reflect C# 2005 and .NET 2.0 changes

• An introduction to Visual Studio 2005, the most popular tool for building Windows and web applications

• More than 200 questions and fully debugged programming exercises with solutions

• A greater emphasis on event handling

• New coverage of generics, generic collections, partial classes, anonymous methods and more.

By the time you've finished Learning C# , you'll be ready to move on to a more advanced programming guide that will help you create large-scale web and Windows applications.

Whether you have a little object-oriented programming experience or you are new to programming altogether, Learning C# will set you firmly on your way to mastering the essentials of the C# language.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 33 Ratings

Overly complicated examples - 2008-03-30
Reviewer Rating:
This was the first book on learning C# 2.0, and while at first I enjoyed the book, when the author started discussing more advanced topics like delegates and events, his examples, I felt, were overly complicated and often left me agitated trying to figure out why he programmed the examples the way he did. After reading other C# 2.0 books, I realized just how bloated the author's examples were. Anyone interested in a beginner C# 2.0 book should try Herbert Schildt's book, The Complete C# 2.0 Reference. His examples are concise, performing as much as necessary to convey the topic Mr. Schildt is currently discussing.

I felt it necessary to write this review after encountering many instances online and in print of people suggesting this title, and my adivce to someone about to purchase this book is to shop around. There are better alternatives than this mediocre book. I especially encourage you to look at Schildt's book if you are new to C#. Charles Petzold even has a free C# 2.0 book (pfd) on his website that does a decent job explaining the .NET framework.

HITS THE MARK! - 2008-11-30
Reviewer Rating:
I find the book to be very well thought out and is a great intro to the C# language. I'm certified in Java2 but have spent the VAST majority of my career working with COBOL and other legacy languages. For me, Learning C# 2005 is a great introduction.

I have a couple of other more recent books but I find that I refer to "Learning" most of the time as the more advanced books don't cover the topics that are challenging me. I would highly recommend this book to any beginning C# programmers.

A Perfect Starting Point for OO - 2008-10-31
Reviewer Rating:
This is one of my top tech books, and I've passed along / recommended it more than once. Keep in mind that title: "Learning". This will not carry you end-to-end through C#, nor will it be the all-encompassing reference for the C# programmer who wants to keep up to speed. Instead, the audience is the new programmer, or the procedural programmer new to OO. When I think back to my first introduction to OO (a Java 1.0 boot-camp-styled course that made my brain spin in its casing), I wish I'd had this book: it's nicely paced, it begins at the beginning, and it gets you on your feet in regards to knowing how to program in the language.

Note that this review is for this edition of the book, but newer editions have since been released. I still recommend the book, and its approach, to anyone new to OO in general or C# in particular. Get started here, then dig deeper with the Bible-sized tomes if you need.

Not as good as I expected... - 2008-09-18
Reviewer Rating:
I've read the high reviews for this book that's why I bought one, but eventually got disappointed with the lack of depth on explanations esp.regarding OOP. I suggest that beginners get a different learning reference. Jeffrey Suddeth's book is compact yet organized and topics are well-explained, but you must supplement that with other books as well.My experience is, you won't learn so many things in just one book, you need 2 or 3 while learning. I have yet to review Andrew Troelsen's book which is forthcoming. If you happen to find one that explains in detail the important topics like generics, collections, events and delegates and OOP, please help others by posting your review. Thanks

Excellent book - 2008-06-13
Reviewer Rating:
This is an excellent book on C#. I use it as a reference all the time for my ASP.NET dev. It's almost as big as the Learning C# book by the same author.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Internet/Online
Programming

Sub-Categories:
Internet/Online > .Net
.Net > C#
Programming > C#