Where to start with C# [closed]

Question

Im a pretty experienced programmer in PHP and mainly web languages but today i have decided i want to start to learn a new language!

Im only 21 and I feel as I will never make it in the programming industry without a great set of languages under my belt, So i decided to have a look at C#.

The reason I have chosen C# is because some C programmers have told me that C# is the best language to learn for desktop applications.

I think i need to get started with the Syntax / Structure of C#, What Development Environment to use, and other things that i might face along my new journey.

I hope somebody can guide me Thanks.

Answer 1

For IDE, you can use Visual Studio Express. And here's a nice set of tutorials.

Also do get your basic concepts straight about .NET framework and CLR.

Once you get the hang of it, Try out LINQ. It is (arguably)the most wonderful feature of the framework. Find some good LINQ tutorials here and here

Although you explicitly mentioned Desktop applications, .NET FW is equally suitable for Web applications 4GuysfromRolla is my favorite ASP.NET resource.

For Dektop applications you might want to start with WinForms, but WPF is the technology of the future. So you are better off learning it if you want to be developing Desktop applications for windows.

Happy Learning!

Answer 2

Stuff you'll need for the beginning:

• Visual Studio 2010 Express edition
• Few evenings with coffee and Beginner Developer Learning Center
• A nice book like this one (it might be a giant one, but I'm in love with it)
• Some more coffee
• A lot of patience with stuff that isn't in PHP (LINQ, delegates, generic types etc)
• Some nice idea to start actually developing and trying stuff out