C

Murach's C# 2005

Format: Paperback
Author: Joel Murach
ReleaseDate: 31 May, 2006
Publisher: Mike Murach & Associates
Rating:

The Murach Format Suits Me Perfectly
Why? Because it basically only works with Microsoft, part of their . For several years now I've been successfully avoiding having to learn C#.NET effort to tie everyone to their software. Why should I go learn something that is tied to just Microsoft systems?

Answer: Because someone came by and was willing to pay a rather large amount of money for a project but insisted on C#. Like the old joke, we know what we are, we just quibble about the price.

OK, so now I need to know C#, and I need to know it quickly. The solution to that problem (regardless of the language) is really simple - a Murach book.

Murach has developed a format that is hands down my favorite way of learning a new language. Basically the put every tidbit that you need to know on a pair of facing pages. Typically one page has a texual description of that tidbit. The facing page then says the same thing, but in a different way. Often this is a screenshot, sometimes a drawing or a table. The key is that the facing pages use different words, different techniques to cover the same point. I find that I read both, and very frequently find myself saying, 'Oh, that's what they were talking about. ' The result is that I learn the point better, faster.

This new book covers the latest version of C#, Visual Studio and the . NET framework. It took me about two weeks to go through the book, the two weeks before this contract started. When I got started on the gig, I could hold my own with the other C# programmers. And that's all you can possibly ask of a book.

This was not my first programming language. I've worked in at least a dozen languages over the years. I've seen some complaints about this book that it isn't really suitable for a complete beginner. Perhaps that's true, I'm not really competent to say because I'm not a complete beginner. On the other hand, when I was a complete beginner they handed me an assembly language programming book and told me to go read it. This book is a hell of a lot easier than the way I started. .

Solid for both learning and reference
Net books on VB and C#; this makes another solid entry in their lineup of . I have used the Murach Books since their original .Net books. The paired page layout of all Murach books makes them ideal for both learning and reference because it is easy to find the code examples quickly.

The book divides C# into easily digestible chunks of knowledge. The first section shows the basics of using the IDE and follows with a discussion on how to build a Windows Forms application. The section could have been more complete if it had included information on building console applications.

The second section handles language essentials such has working with strings and numerica data in chapter four to working with arrays and collections. There are several new to . Net 2005 features discussed in this section that will assist experienced developers.

The third section delves in the area of object-oriented programming with a dsicussion of classes, delegates, events, operators, interfaces, and generics. I would have liked to see more examples in this area, but the content delievered in solid.

Section four covers database programming, but is limited to more straight forward database programming. Chapter 20 does delve in to writing your own database class which in my opinion all developers should learn to do as it makes your program easier to maintain.

The book is an excellent starter book and reference. For most programmers the book will get the job done, but the content will need to be augmented with books covering specific areas in greater depth as you delve deeper in to . Net programming.

A great introduction to C# and object-oriented programming.
I would also recommend this book as a reference or tutorial to experienced developers who are interested in rounding out their object-oriented programming or data access techniques, or who are interested in learning more about the features introduced to . This book is a comprehensive tutorial that properly introduces beginner developers or programmers new to C# to the gamut of language and IDE features available to them in Visual Studio 2005.NET and C# in Visual Studio 2005.

The tone of the book and its organization and paired page layout are very conducive to learning at any level, and the topics covered are varied enough to ensure a well-rounded learning experience, regardless of the reader's development background. .