C# books for Developers that know Object Oriented Programming

Question

If a developer already has a background in Object Oriented Programming, what book would you recommend for learning C#? Which one made you understand what C# is?

Answer 1

I really like Programming C# Third Edition.

Answer 2

For "understanding what C# is", I would recommend CLR via C# or C# In Depth.

For more of the nuts and bolts stuff, I like C# In A Nutshell.

Answer 3

I'll admit that I'm a little strange, but the book that did the most for me in learning C# was actually the language specification (available online or as a book). This is only good for someone who already has programming experience, of course, but your question indicated that that is the case.

So I think you should receommend that to your friend. <wink, wink>

Answer 4

I'm not a big "book guy" when it comes to learning languages, but I really enjoyed both Learning C# and Programming C# (it is best to get both of them, even if you have background as an OO coder) by Jesse Liberty. Liberty, in my opinion, is the author for coders who don't like to learn code from authors.

Answer 5

C# Annotated Standard. Very helpful.

Answer 6

I won't recommend a specific book, as I don't know what your preferred style is - but I've started writing detailed book reviews on my blog, which you may find useful:

http://msmvps.com/blogs/jon_skeet/archive/tags/Book+reviews/default.aspx

EDIT: Not sure why it's so unpalatable to provide a link to thorough reviews instead of just saying "X is good" but in case this helps, the C# (or related) books reviewed there (and a 5 word review summary) are:

• C# 3.0 in a Nutshell: Language and framework; cracking stuff
• Accelerated C# 2008: Language and framework; pretty good
• Pro LINQ in C# 2008: LINQ focus; good with niggles
• Programming C# 3.0: Inaccurate; spoiled by sloppy terminology
• Head First C#: Errors galore, mostly fixed now
• C# in Depth (reviewed by Joe Albahari): Review my own book? No.
• C# query expressions and supporting features: C# 3.0 in textbook style

Answer 7

I think once you have read a book that explains the basic C# style then C# in depth by Jon Skeet is a great book to read. http://www.manning.com/skeet/

Answer 8

I switched to C# last year, and my favorite book has been Accelerated C# by Trey Nash. The author has a background in C++ and relates it to C# in his approach to the book. It helped me learn C# thoroughly enough within a month to be confident with how it worked.

There are two versions now. The version for C# 2.0 is Accelerated C# 2005, which I read last year, and the 3.0 one is Accelerated C# 2008, which I use now.

I keep going back to the book to understand how C# does certain things or to explain it to others - it is one of two books I keep at my desk.

Answer 9

Rather than buying one or two books, get a Safari Books Online subscription.

This will give you access to a huge range of books on C# and pretty much everthing else in IT any beyond.

Answer 10

I still swear by the first edition of Professional C# for 1.0 I read years ago, now you can get the one updated for 3.5