How to learn C# and ASP.NET MVC at the same time?

Question

My question is straight forward. I'm totally new to the Microsoft stack, I have experience in web programming using PHP and Django; and I'm very interested in learning ASP.NET MVC. Is there a way (tutorials, reference books.. what ever!) to learn the C# language AND ASP.NET MVC at the same time? I mean in the same introductory material (same book, same tutorial, same -your suggestion-? Time is an issue for me.

Thanks in advance ;-)

Answer 1

If you are completely new to .NET and C# I would recommend you Head First C#. For ASP.NET MVC there's ASP.NET MVC in Action. More advanced is Pro ASP.NET MVC Framework.

Answer 2

There is a great site on exactly just this http://www.asp.net/mvc Watch this video -> http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/matthijs/ASPNET-MVC-2-Basics-Introduction-by-Scott-Hanselman/

The best way is to dig in and start doing it. Your experience will help as long as you understand the fundamentals about web development.

Answer 3

For an ASP.NET MVC introduction, definitely check out the NerdDinner tutorial:

http://nerddinnerbook.s3.amazonaws.com/Intro.htm

It does cover the basic concepts of Web development using ASP.NET MVC and the advantages of using the Model,View, Controller approach at a high level. However, you will want to learn the C# syntax before diving into it. I would suggest picking up a book that gives a nice introduction such as C# in a nutshell.

Answer 4

Tekpub has a great series on MVC. Costs $28 but, is imho worth it.

Answer 5

C# is not a difficult language to pick up. A lot of it just makes sense and with an understanding of programming in general IntelliSense alone will be enough to get you the basics.

Since you are in a hurry I'd suggest:

1. Order Steve Sanderson's Pro ASP.NET 2 Framework (5mins)
2. Read through this sample project in MVC2 + EF4 to learn the basics (3hours)
3. Get started with your app using the MVC sample project that you get with VS2010 as a base.
4. When you're not working and when it arrives, read Steve Sanderson's book. (Probably start with Chapter 17 since it is about the features of the ASP.NET framework - then got back to Chapter 1) Then you will be a pro! (1 month)