Learning C#

Question

I have good experience in working with C++ and know basic Java as well. I want to learn .NET framework in general and C# in particular. How should I go about it?

Answer 1

Read this SO question: Best way to learn C#

Answer 2

I would read one of Jeffrey Richter's books: CLR via C#. Btw I haven't read this one, but I read his previous one about .NET 1.1.

This will let you understand how CLR works and why, and what is special in C# so that. You will understand all those specific things as template implementation differences, value types, boxing, nullables and all those kinda stuff which you will otherwise wonder "what a f..."?

Answer 3

For me it is always books, CLR via C#, Second Edition and C# 3.0 in a Nutshell being my favorites.

Answer 4

I found this book by Eric Gunnerson very helpful in giving a jumpstrart for developers. It does not really teach you programming but covers what you as a programmer need to know to become productive with .NET & C#.

http://www.amazon.com/Programmers-Introduction-C-Eric-Gunnerson/dp/1893115860

Answer 5

I've always have been a big fan of the "For Dummies" books as well as the O'Reilly published books.

C# 2008 For Dummies

Regards,
Frank

Answer 6

Since you know a lot of the basic language constructs from C++/Java as well as OO I would recommend C# 3.0 in a Nutshell (Albahari).

If you specifically want to look into some of the new features of the language C# in Depth (Skeet) is really useful.

If you want to know how C# and the CLR work CLR via C# (Ricther) is very good.

Last but not least I would recommend the newly updated, annotated language specification, C# Programming Language, 3rd ed. (Hejlsberg et al.). It has all the details you could care for.

Answer 7

I thought I'd mention Deitel's "How to Program" series. I went from not knowing OOP, to breezing through code in 3 weeks, solely on the basis of "Visual C# 2005 How to Program".