Professional C#

by Karli Watson

Given its patient and comprehensive tutorial style, Professional C# is a great choice for any developer stepping up to the plate with C# and the Microsoft .NET platform. With plenty of material geared to the specific needs of C/C++, Java, and VB programmers, this thorough tutorial packs some worthwhile advice within a well-paced guide to what you'll need to know to succeed with Microsoft's newest programming language.

Weighing in at over 1,300 pages, this text delivers a wealth of material on C# from a team of expert Wrox authors. It does a good job of covering all the necessary language and runtime features of C#. Early sections look at what's new and better in .NET, and then it's on to a close look at C# as an object-oriented language. A real strength of this title has to be its tutorial style, which works patiently to bring developers of all stripes to the brave new realm of C#. Material specifically geared to C++, Java, and VB programmers will let a wide range of readers learn C# effectively. (Concise appendices tailored to all three types of users show what's different about C# in comparison to these older languages.)

After covering the basics of C# itself, the book then zeros in on the APIs of the .NET platform. From basic string handling, collections, and support for Internet programming to material on graphics, you'll gain a command of some essential classes for everyday development. Sections on late-breaking standards and technologies like XML and Web services will help ensure that you get the most out of .NET.

Coverage of database APIs (with ADO.NET) and server-side programming (with ASP.NET) rounds out the tour. More specialized topics show how to create Windows services, and how to work with the older COM/COM+ standards in Windows. You'll also learn to work with corporate directories (via Active Directory) and the Windows Registry. C++ programmers in particular will appreciate the guide to class design in C#, which includes all relevant features in the newer language clearly spelled out.

Bundling a wealth of information on both C# and .NET, Professional C# provides a state-of-the-art tour of what's next for Windows programming. Regardless of whether you are coming to C# from a C/C++, Java, or VB background, this far-ranging yet thoroughly approachable guide can help you master the essentials of C# and the new .NET in record time. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

Introduction and overview of Microsoft .NET Compiling and running programs Intermediate language (IL) .NET base classes Assemblies and namespaces Tour of language options for .NET development (C# compared with other languages) Short history of C/C++/Java and C# Comprehensive C# language tutorial Data types Complex types Variables Operators Flow control Program structure Console I/O Using classes and inheritance in C# (including object-oriented design basics, properties, and inheritance conventions) Method overloading Constructors and clean-up methods (including Dispose() functions) Passing by reference and value Operator overloading Indexers Interfaces C# exception-handling classes and techniques Delegates and events C# preprocessor directives Unsafe code Tutorial for .NET base classes Comparing objects with Equals() String handling basics Regular expressions Collection classes Custom attributes Reflection Threading APIs Introduction to the Visual Studio.NET environment Programming with Windows Forms (including graphics and menu support) C# assemblies in depth (including the Global Assembly Cache, shared assemblies, and deployment) ADO.NET database APIs (including Command objects, data readers, and data sets) Using grid controls with data sources Tutorial on XML standards (including MSXML 3.0) Working with files, the Registry, and Active Directory Quick introduction to ASP.NET and Web Forms Introduction to Web services (SOAP and WSDL explained, plus a Web service-based room-booking sample service) Building custom controls COM and .NET interoperability COM+ transactions and other services in .NET GDI+ API graphics tutorial (including basic shapes, colors, fonts, and text output) Basic HTTP and IP network programming .NET remoting and distributed applications Creating Windows services Security issues in .NET (including code access, roles, and code groups) Quick tutorials for C++ Java and VB developers migrating to C#

Genres: Programming, Reference, Nonfiction, Computers

1311 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Karli Watson is an IT contractor and author, currently working in London in the financial sector. For the most part, he immerses himself in .NET (in particular C#) and has written numerous books in the field for several publishers. He specializes in communicating complex ideas in a way that is accessible to anyone with a passion to learn, and spends much of his time playing with new technology to find new things to teach people about.

During those (seemingly few) times where he isn't doing the above, Karli will probably be wishing he was hurtling down a mountain on a snowboard. Or possibly trying to get his novel published. Either way, you’ll know him by his brightly coloured clothes.

Reviews

[Vladimír · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fantastic book. When I needed a detailed "C# reference", I bought this book. I don't regret it. This book gives you a perfect information about the C# language as well as about the conventions and rules. I absolutelly recommend to buy this book!

[Vasil Todorov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't read all the book, since I stopped using this language, but it covers the specifics of the language in a great detail.

[Bill's Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am listed as one of the technical reviewers in the second edition of this book, but all they sent me to review was an appendix which never made it into the book.