C# 2008 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) (Paperback)

by Stephen Randy Davis (Author), Chuck Sphar (Author)
Key Phrases: press enter, query expressions, stack frame, Visual Studio, Object-Oriented Programming, Using Objects (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Whether you’re a total novice or a programmer shifting to C#, the newest version of this programming language is full of cool features you’ll want to use. With its Visual Studio compatibility, C# is the perfect language for building Windows Vista applications. And the 2008 version works with LINQ, a query language with syntax similar to SQL but which simplifies database code and can also write queries on XML files.

For the best basic C# how-to, it’s hard to beat C# 2008 For Dummies. This plain-English guide to programming with C# can have you creating your first console application before you finish Part I. In fact, the basic template you create at that point will be the foundation of many other apps as you move through the book. Along the way you’ll get the scoop on organizing your data, object-oriented programming (also known as OOP), and a great LINQ-related feature called delegates and events. You’ll find out how to

• Create a console application template
• Perform logical comparisons
• Work with loops and if statements
• Understand collection syntax
• Use interfaces and object-oriented concepts
• Apply delegates and events, and much more

You’ll even gain some rare insight into how to understand error messages you may get when programming in C#. All the code you need can be found on the companion Web site, along with great bonus information that helps you do more with C# 2008. So — what are you waiting for? Grab C# 2008 For Dummies and let’s get started!

From the Back Cover
Companion Web site has sample code and extra stuff

Create console apps, discover delegates and events, and explore interfaces

C# is a powerful programming language that has become a favorite tool of Visual Studio programmers, and this friendly guide will get you up to speed on the newest version — painlessly. Before you know it you'll be creating applications for Vista, using LINQ to simplify database code, knowing what to do with HashSets, and more.

Discover how to:

• Create a console application template

• Work with loops and if statements

• Understand collection syntax

• Use interfaces and object-oriented concepts

• Apply delegates and events

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; Pap/Onl edition (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470191090
• ISBN-13: 978-0470191095
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #60 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Introductory & Beginning > For Dummies - Programming
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible - skips important functions, and no mid-ground, April 17, 2008

By	bookwormy2 - See all my reviews

I bought this book hoping to learn from scratch - as one would assume you can normally do from a "For Dummies" book. I own 12 "For Dummies" books on various subjects, but this has by far been the most scattered in flow and difficult to process.
While the book exhausts you with lengthy dissertations on all of the possible variable types before you even get to write anything useful, it then completely leaves out the really useful information and techniques like how to write a program that can save text output into a separate file. There is no CD included, leaving you to have to go to the author's website and download all of the support files you'll need to cover your topics of interest. While I did find a "bonus" chapter on the author's website that covered creating programs that read from and write to text files, the code he published with it had errors and would not compile.
Finally, I say there is no "mid ground" because it seems he can only take you along at either 5mph or 200mph - there isn't much in-between. There is a lot of "we'll cover that later" (my quotes) but it doesn't get covered in time to help you understand what he's discussing just a few pages later.
BIG disappointment. I'm now looking for another tutorial source on C#.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please feel free to review the book., August 10, 2008

By	Chuck Sphar - See all my reviews

Caveat: I'm one of the two authors of C# 2008 For Dummies (I did all of the 2005 and 2008 update work).

I invite reviews of C# 2008 For Dummies, regardless of your level of experience or background. For myself, I find reader reviews very helpful in deciding whether to buy a book.

C# 2008 For Dummies is aimed at beginning programmers, but it probably sells more copies to more experienced programmers, many of them looking to pick up a new language or break into .NET programming.

Beginners will find very simple, easy-to-follow examples, with chapters building up to more sophisticated techniques. Additionally, my Web site for the book includes many supplementary articles on topics I lacked room to cover in the pages. The site also includes all of the example code for the book (well over 100 small programs that focus on one thing at a time), 7 extra bonus chapters, and other resources.

More experienced hands will find pretty complete coverage of the C# language. Note that the emphasis is on the language, not on its many, many applications, such as Web programming, database programming, and so on. I discuss language features (some of which are very cool) in a context that is uncluttered with advanced features. (You can find more advanced features and techniques and applications such as Web coding in books from Wiley (the For Dummies folks) and other publishers as well as Web sites that offer many examples, articles, and lots of code. Try C# Station, C# Help, Code Project, CodeGuru.net, and more--Google for C#.)

New in the 2008 edition are old features not previously included, such as delegates, events, and collections. Also brand new features: Language Integrated Query (LINQ), lambda expressions, the var keyword, extension methods, array and collection initializers, anonymous classes, query syntax. Many topics have been extended or elaborated--the book is about 25% longer than the 2005 edition.

So please consider buying C# 2008 For Dummies if you're in one of its demographic categories. I don't think you'll regret it. And don't forget to check out the Web site at csharp102.info--it may help you decide whether to buy the book. And you can always contact me by email at [e-mail] if you have questions, find errors, and so on.

I hope you enjoy reading C# 2008 For Dummies as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Best,
Chuck Sphar

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 3, 2008

By	Mr. James R. Mccoy "BookLover" (GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've read the 2005 version and this 2008 version and all I can say is these guys know their stuff. I've read many books on C# and this is the best book I've read. By programmers for programmers. Outstanding examples and explanations.

If you authors are reading this, please write more books. I'd like to request a dedicated book on OOP concepts and class design using C#.

Keep up the Great work!!!