Illustrated C# 2008 (Expert's Voice in .NET) [Paperback]

Daniel Solis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590599543 | ISBN-13: 978-1590599549 | Publication Date: February 7, 2008 | Edition: 1st ed. 2008. Corr. 2nd printing

C# is the most influential language on the .NET platform. As Microsoft’s preferred language it has established a solid user base over recent versions and is drawing in developers from older technologies at an ever increasing rate.

This book caters to that migrating audience. Developers already familiar with the basic concepts of a programming language (any programming language) often find the traditional compendium-based ‘beginner’s guides’ heavy and difficult to read as they spend a lot of time explaining concepts the reader already understands from their previous technology.

Illustrated C# is an antidote to this. It packs the essentials of the C# language into just 600 pages, using an array of visual styles to provide a clear, fast, reference to the core of the technology. It’s a book migrating developers can read in a day and grasp enough of the language to find their feet and move confidently onto the .NET platform.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Solis is a contract software engineer who has worked for a number of high-profile clients, including Microsoft Consulting Services, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and PeopleSoft. He has been programming and teaching object oriented languages and development methods throughout the US and Europe since the early days of C++. It was while teaching numerous seminars on various programming languages that he realized the immense power of diagrams, in explaining programming language concepts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 728 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1st ed. 2008. Corr. 2nd printing edition (February 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590599543
• ISBN-13: 978-1590599549
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Computers & Technology > Programming > Languages & Tools > C#

More About the Author

Dan Solis has enjoyed coding and teaching programming for more years than he cares to admit. His undergraduate majors were Biology and English, and he holds a Master's degree in Computer Science.

His first job out of college was working in a physical chemistry research lab, but he soon realized he preferred programming to performing research.

As a contract software engineer he has worked for a number of high-profile clients, including Microsoft Consulting Services, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and PeopleSoft. He has been programming and teaching object oriented languages and development methods throughout the US and Europe since the early days of C++. It was while teaching numerous seminars on various programming languages that he realized the immense power of diagrams, in explaining programming language concepts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Experienced Programmers Only, July 28, 2009

By 

Michael Keller (Ewing, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Illustrated C# 2008 (Expert's Voice in .NET) (Paperback)

This book is for programmers not individuals new to programming. This book covers C# 2008 pretty well in terms of explaining C# constructs such as how to write a class and explaining all the nuances of it. However, very little to no explanation is given for why you would want to use whatever the author is explaining--the big picture is pretty much missing. This book will work best for someone that already has a basic understanding of the .NET framework and programming and just wants to get up-to-date on C# 2008.

So, why should you read this book?

1) There is a plethora of examples and they all work. I don't think I have ever seen more sample code.
2) This is a deeply object oriented approach to C#, as it should be.
3) You are a programmer and want to get up-to-date on C# 2008--you are not looking to learn how to program.
4) The functional explanations of C# constructs are clear and complete. Hey, the guy has a degree in English and it shows.
5) The book is not terribly long. You will be able to finish it in a reasonable amount of time (726 pages).
6) I found many illustrations useful even though a few seemed redundant.
7) The author's treatment of LINQ was done very well and clearly.
8) Once having read the book and worked the examples you will have solid C# 2008 skills and be ready to extend your knowledge with other books and training materials.
9) It is fun and mostly easy to read.

Okay then what's not to like?

1) My biggest criticism is for the most part there is no discussion of how or why you would apply a particular C# construct being taught. For example, if you were learning to use an auto mechanic's tools you would learn how to use a box wrench, an open end wrench and an adjustable wrench but no idea of why you would choose one wrench over another for a particular task.
2) Inner Exceptions were not covered in the chapter on exceptions.
3) While almost all explanations of C# constructs were done well I felt events in Chapter 16 needed to be reworked--it just wasn't that clear.
4) No treatment of ADO.NET
5) No treatment of XML

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visualized C# 3.0, March 19, 2008

By 

A. W. Alberts (Groningen, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Illustrated C# 2008 (Expert's Voice in .NET) (Paperback)

Finally someone who knows how to explain C# visually. Simple clear drawings help you understand the whole proces of compiling and executing code.

If you think the "head first" books are over the top. You really should consider this "illustrated" version. In the "head first" books the graphices can be overwhelming while the illustrations in this book are just complementary to the text. I really love the "head first" books but I recommend them for learning something new but not as a reference book.

I have read other books covering the third version of C# and I must say this book really stands out. It starts at the basics but in the same way simple things are explained the more complex issues are covered. It all seems equally simple. To be able to write it down like that is a gift.

All in all highly recommended.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to transition from C++, March 19, 2009

By 

E. Mitchell (Spokane, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Illustrated C# 2008 (Expert's Voice in .NET) (Paperback)

Having programmed a lot in C++, it was time to learn C#. This book is an excellent and efficient solution for the C++ programmer (and likely also the Java programmer) wishing to come up to speed in C#. Most of the concepts and much of the C# syntax are similar to C++.

Each C# concept is covered concisely and to the point - which means it is quick and easy for someone familiar with the general concepts to learn C# in a minimum of time.

I did encounter a few oddities - the concept of a delegate is easy once I realized it is basically a C++ pointer to a function - but with C# safe type checking place. But I had to look at Microsoft's own documentation to pick that up.

LINQ is a programmatic interface to databases - except none of the examples in the book use it to interface to a database. (For those who might be wondering about LINQ, the Language INtegerated Query is an SQL-like set of program statements for making SQL-like queries into data structures or databases. LINQ is not identical to SQL but close enough that SQL programmers will find this to be a straightforward introduction.)

Illustrated C# is an introduction to C# - this is not a Windows programming text - if you are headed in that direction, you'll also need good Windows/Windows Forms reference as well.

Overall, I was looking for a book to get me quickly from C++ to C# and this book is perfect to do that. I recommend this book to anyone with existing programming experience wishing to come up to speed quickly. If you have not programmed before, this is not your first book but probably your second or third.