Windows Forms Programming with C# [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Erik Brown (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In the .NET environment, GUI elements like menus, buttons, lists, trees—and of course the window itself—are created and deployed using the new Windows Forms framework. Windows Forms is an object-oriented set of classes that offers an effective, modern programming environment for rich Windows applications development.

Intended for beginner and intermediate programmers willing to get their hands dirty, this book teaches by example. Step-by-step instructions guide the reader through the entire Windows Forms namespace. Examples build around a common theme, collectively developing a real-world application. The book covers fundamentals like labels, menus, buttons, as well as advanced concepts like owner-drawn lists, explorer-style interfaces, customized data binding, and the integration of the Microsoft web browser control into a Windows program. Appendices include a 30-page reference to the C# language and a handy visual index of the Windows Forms classes.

What's Inside:
Owner-drawn list boxes
List and tree views
Multiple document interfaces
Data grids and data binding
Drag and drop

How to implement, among other things:
reusable libraries
auto-filled combo boxes
keyboard and mouse processing
printing and print previewing
embedded web browsers

About the Author
Erik Brown is a 12-year veteran of three startup companies, all successful. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics from Carnegie-Mellon University and currently runs a consulting company specializing in Windows-based applications and data-driven interfaces. Erik lives in northern Virginia with his wife and two daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications; illustrated edition edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930110286
• ISBN-13: 978-1930110281
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285,887 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not A Reference - This Is a Must Have Learning Book, September 1, 2002

By	Carl Thomas "Book Junkie" (Jamestown, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Brown has put a lot of thought into covering the mass of practical bases in Windows .NET Forms development. The concept of developing one application through the course of the book to show clearly and in context how each piece fits and works, while not new, is done superbly in this book. I learned much, much more from this book about not only Windows Forms but about C# programming in general than from several other dedicated C# books I have. His approach to showing the code and code changes and explaining them in step-by-step and in side-by-side panels is outstanding tutorial style.

I just had to work through this book cover-to-cover and I NEVER do that with these books - I usually just look up what I think I need to know. Brown's leading me by the nose worked; I learned a lot more (as a current C++ and Java programmer) about C# than I might have otherwise. If you're looking for a reference book, this is not it; context is too important to the understanding of the parts. It is, I think, deliberately a clear learning book and, as I say in the title of this review, a Must Have learning book for Windows .NET Forms.

So what's your next topic, Eric?

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, An easier way of learning C# and Window Forms, September 23, 2002

By	Ning Chang (Coppell, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I recommend this book, "Windows Forms Programming with C#" explains how to practically program in .Net environment in detail. As a Window programmer (VB and VC/C++), this book helps me to program and understand the .NET platform in an easy way.

I like the well-planned layout of the book; it is one of the most reader friendly books I have even seen. This book helps you to learn a lot of important concepts in a very natural way. On each topic discussed, the related class tables are right there for you, and the operation tables guide you step by step the actions you need to take to accomplish the project it explains clearly and shows you the result in each action you take side by side. Inside the book appendix you also find a list of useful websites for related/further study.

This is a great book for learning C# and Windows Forms, it is easy to read and easy to understand.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best tech book I've ever read, May 19, 2003

By	Timothy B. Miller (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read at least 40 or 50 tech books, and this has got to be the best. The tutorial format is great and perfectly designed, and Brown explains everything completely so you're never lost. I learned both C# and windows forms programming from this book and it was a sheer joy every moment. I do ASP.NET programming using VB as part of my job, and this was the perfect way to extend my skills and knowledge. Effective and very fun. Plus you'll be amazed at the applications you end up with if you work all the tutorials. I've been using it as a reference ever since I finished it, and it's very effective for that as well, thanks in part to the excellent index.