How to start learning C#?

[The-Spy]

Hey guys,

I have been planning on going into college for programming for many years now and before I actually get up and go(If I still do in the time coming), I wanted to get some experience and learn some of it by my self instead of some college helping me. I have been interested in many programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript and now I am currently most interested in C# and I think I want to stick with it as I find it the best for me to learn. I have very little experience with C# but I would like to learn more of it and I was wondering if anyone knew any good websites or starter guides to get started on learning programming for C# and the basics of programming. I tried searching google and other sources for information about C# programming but I could not find a good one to use as most that I found rushed through or did not explain what was going on good enough.

If you guys have any good sites that teach C# programming with great explanation, could you please post it here for me and maybe future people who have the same question?

Also, I forgot to mention that after being alright in programming(Even if it takes a lot of work in college and my own time), I will most likely try to get a job in video game production as some of my family members already have jobs as programmers for small video game companies but they went through mostly just college without knowing anything until they came back out. One of my cousins actually offered me a job at one of the companies he works at(being a joke but serious as well since I do not know much yet).

[Comfy]

I did learn c# that way:

1. I learned vb.net (first programming language in school)
2. Then it only took about 1 day for me to learn most of the c# stuff

and now I'm learning the more advances stuff (at the moment networking)because I have to rewrite all the old/broken software at my workplace.

[Insight]

I took a course at Digipen to learn my C#. Did decently I can now do quite a bit in C# helped a ton.

[url]https://www.digipen.edu/academics/continuing-education/course-descriptions/#c5907[/url]

[reevezy67]

[QUOTE=TH3_L33T;34059912]I took a course at Digipen to learn my C#. Did decently I can now do quite a bit in C# helped a ton.

[url]https://www.digipen.edu/academics/continuing-education/course-descriptions/#c5907[/url][/QUOTE]

I took a course which taught me the fundamentals of C#, I already had a little bit of C++ knowledge although it wasn't much it taught me about memory etc.

As soon as you have learned the fundamentals it's all about experimentation. Set a project in your mind and try to create it.

MSDN is a lifesaver when it comes to needing references.
[url]http://msdn.microsoft.com[/url]

[John the Gr8]

I see that you know other programming languages and Java, which is similar to C#, is in the list, so I recommend that you just scan any tutorial on the basics of C# and then start practicing right away.
I came to C# from vb.net as well and it was easier than i had ever expected.
Just start practicing, use google (and msdn) whenever you get stuck, and you'll get familiar with C# in no time...

[The-Spy]

Thanks for the info guys.

If I wanted to learn C# programming right off the back(Tutorials and guides without college) without much knowledge about programming at all, is it possible to become good at it and do you guys recommend doing this? I know some people have done this but no one really explained or recommended how it went.

[Yogurt]

Well, first, just open the door.

Get on the floor.

EVERYBODY WALK THE DINOSAUR

[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Why reply" - PLing))[/highlight]

[Insight]

[QUOTE=The-Spy;34067031]Thanks for the info guys.

If I wanted to learn C# programming right off the back(Tutorials and guides without college) without much knowledge about programming at all, is it possible to become good at it and do you guys recommend doing this? I know some people have done this but no one really explained or recommended how it went.[/QUOTE]

I started with C++ got to say C# is a lot easier to learn as the pointers and such aren't used as much and makes it a lot easier to handle don't get me wrong still takes work but it is a lot easier to teach yourself.

[DoctorSalt]

I'm finding this book helpful
[url]http://headfirstlabs.com/books/hfcsharp/[/url]
It's a project based learning book (not a reference). Bit pricey though. It's something to consider

[blaze_r20]

C# is fine to jump right into, but it's helpful if you learn a simpler language first. The only difficulty about getting a college level understanding of C# (or Java) is understanding classes, interfaces, casting, inheritance, and what all of that means at the memory level.

That being said, if you just want to make stuff and have fun, it's a great language. If you learn C#, take some time to learn Java and vice versa - they're almost the same language, so it's easy.

Don't forget about dreamspark.com - once you get into college, you can get Visual Studio (the fancy full version) for free.

Mostly, focus on sitting down and actually building things. Ideally useful things. Then send them out to all your friends, force them to test it, and work on improving existing designs. Add in requested features.

Before you code, write an informal scribble of what you plan to do and how, but don't get lost in the planning stage with grand plans. Start with small stuff - basic games, niche utilities. Tell all of your friends that you're trying to learn to program, encourage them to ask for programming related favors ("Can you make something to organize my 500gb porn stash?").

If you hit any hitches, feel free to pm me.

[reevezy67]

Figured I would post here instead of creating a thread.

What is Python like to learn coming from something like C#? The syntax look's so different, no curly braces? I would feel naked.

[editline]6th January 2012[/editline]

Maybe I'll check out SQL I can see it becoming some pretty useful knowledge.

[Jinx786]

[QUOTE=reevezy67;34074361]Figured I would post here instead of creating a thread.

What is Python like to learn coming from something like C#? The syntax look's so different, no curly braces? I would feel naked.

[editline]6th January 2012[/editline]

Maybe I'll check out SQL I can see it becoming some pretty useful knowledge.[/QUOTE]
1. no standard datatypes, just objects
2. instead of { and } to mark begining and end, it uses spaces:
for (...) {
i++;
}
is like
for ... :
<space>i++
but not like
for ... :
i++
3. You dont necessarily need a class to run a program.
4. If your method is in a class to inherits classses vars you have to also put self in arguments.

I think it pretty much matter of adapting to this syntax and learning to use python candys which some in small bits, like a lot of for loop types, for example and you choose the best one that suits your needs.

IMO Python programs are harder to read than C# since it just uses spaces to mark which statements are in a loop or in an if, and since it doesnt use () to mark conditions in loops and ifs.

Example:

a = input('Number a: ')
b = input('Number b: ')

while b!=0:
    t=b
    b=a%b
    a=t
print a

def gcd(a,b):
    if b==0:
        return a
    else:
        return gcd(b,a%b)
        
print gcd(a,b)

[reevezy67]

Sounds awful but I'm sure I would get used to it, thanks.

[Frohman]

I'm no advanced user in C#, so I can give you my beginner experiences with C#.

I started by having a goal - I wanted to write a launcher for me and my buddies for Minecraft which launched it at a specific resolution with a specific Java and a specific memory (configurable by user).

Lots of trial and error, traffic to [url]http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/[/url] and [url]http://stackoverflow.com/[/url] later, I had learned the basics of C# and written my first functional application.

[reevezy67]

[QUOTE=Em See;34076105]I'm no advanced user in C#, so I can give you my beginner experiences with C#.

I started by having a goal - I wanted to write a launcher for me and my buddies for Minecraft which launched it at a specific resolution with a specific Java and a specific memory (configurable by user).

Lots of trial and error, traffic to [url]http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/[/url] and [url]http://stackoverflow.com/[/url] later, I had learned the basics of C# and written my first functional application.[/QUOTE]

Two greatest sites on the internet.

[Serapth]

Most of what you need to know to learn C# is [url=http://www.gamefromscratch.com/post/2011/08/04/I-want-to-be-a-game-developer.aspx#Csharp]available here[/url], along with links, book recommendations, free books, tools and recommended libraries. It's from a game development perspective as most people looking to start programming generally want to start with games, but the recommendations are just as valid for learning the language.

As was recommended earlier, +1 to both MSDN and stackoverflow. Stackoverflow is going to be your home away from home as you encounter bugs and problems, but isn't really a place to learn. MSDN on the other hand has a veritable ton of resources, including a number of getting started videos. One of the major problems is they are scattered all over the place and can be a bit tricky to find. [url=http://channel9.msdn.com/]Channel 9[/url] and [url=http://create.msdn.com/en-US/]App Hub[/url] are both good MSDN subsites, although AppHub is getting a bit worse now that MS is pushing Windows Phone so hard.

[John the Gr8]

Also, I got myself into C# by rewriting a VB project of mine in C#.

If that doesn't bore you, go ahead and transfer, say, a Java project of yours into C#.
It helped me a lot...

[The DooD]

[QUOTE=TH3_L33T;34059912]I took a course at Digipen to learn my C#. Did decently I can now do quite a bit in C# helped a ton.

[url]https://www.digipen.edu/academics/continuing-education/course-descriptions/#c5907[/url][/QUOTE]

I wish there was a Digipen in the UK. It seems like a really good place.

[BrutalSnyper]

[QUOTE=DoctorSalt;34069081]I'm finding this book helpful
[url]http://headfirstlabs.com/books/hfcsharp/[/url]
It's a project based learning book (not a reference). Bit pricey though. It's something to consider[/QUOTE]

That's the same one I'm reading. It's in front of me right now.

[The-Spy]

Thanks for the previous help and links you guys have provided to me and future people seeking the same thing.

I have started studying and learning C#(with XNA studio alongside) from some of the sources you guys have provided and find that it is helping a lot.

Thanks again!

[con7con]

Well, if you wanted to go into game programming you could start out with XNA for C#. I learned using this website - [url]http://defcom1.net/xnatutorials.php[/url] .

Of course, as the owner of the site is my computing teacher I could be rather bias in suggesting it, just follow the tutorials if you use my link then go off and do your own thing, that is how I am learning C# and it's going pretty well.

[The-Spy]

Do you guys know a good source of information to learn the general basics of programming itself(syntax + others)? I am having troubles learning what does what in programming from doing some of these single programming language tutorials. They are mostly only helping the people who already know the generals of programming and can pick up on a language without much problems.

[simssi]

[url]http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/C-Sharp-Fundamentals-Development-for-Absolute-Beginners[/url]

24 part video tutorial series by Microsoft