Beginning C# and .NET

 THE C# LANGUAGE WAS UNVEILED TO THE WORLD when Microsoft announced the first version of its .NET Framework in 2002. Since then, its popularity has rocketed, and it has arguably become the language of choice for desktop, web, cloud, and cross-platform developers who use .NET. Part of the appeal of C# comes from its clear syntax, which derives from C/C++ but simplifies some things that have previously discouraged some programmers. Despite this simplification, C# has retained the power of C++, and there is no reason now not to move into C#. The language is not difficult, and it is a great one with which to learn elementary programming techniques. This ease of learning combined with the capabilities of the .NET Framework make C# an excellent way to start your programming career.

 The latest release of C# is C# 9 (included with.NET 5.0 and .NET Framework 4.8), which builds on the existing successes and adds even more attractive features. The latest releases of both Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code line of development tools also bring many tweaks and improvements to make your life easier and to dramatically increase your productivity.

 This book is intended to teach you about all aspects of C# programming, including the language itself, desktop, cloud, and cross-platform programming, making use of data sources, and some new and advanced techniques. You will also learn about the capabilities of Visual Studio and all the ways that this product can aid your application development.

 The book is written in a friendly, mentor-style fashion, with each chapter building on previous ones, and every effort is made to ease you into advanced techniques painlessly. At no point will technical terms appear from nowhere to discourage you from continuing; every concept is introduced and discussed as required. Technical jargon is kept to a minimum, but where it is necessary, it, too, is properly defined and laid out in context.

 The authors of this book are both experts in their field and are enthusiastic in their passion for the C# language and .NET. Nowhere will you find two people better qualified to take you under their collective wing and nurture your understanding of C# from first principles to advanced techniques. Along with the fundamental knowledge it provides, this book is packed full of helpful hints, tips, exercises, and full-fledged example code (available for download on this book’s web page at www.wiley.com and at github.com/benperk/BeginningCSharpAndDotNET) that you will find yourself returning to repeatedly as your career progresses.

 We pass this knowledge on without begrudging it and hope that you will be able to use it to become the best programmer you can be. Good luck, and all the best!