When I started reading about the .Net platform I always came across biased views. I decided to search and form my own opinion – and that is the prime reason of writing this article. Doing a search on “c sharp” on MSN is going to take you most likely to here (see below).
This is the home site of the Visual Studio .Net where you will find an introduction to the C# language. This is of course the most comprehensive source of information for the new language from the Microsoft. You will find the most recent downloads, link to developer tools, and many other links to other languages part of the new Visual Studio .Net package. C# is the newest object-oriented languages that closely resemble Java, and C++.
It borrows most of the control structures from Java and some of the C++ statements. For a Java programmer, the new language should look familiar. It is one of the languages that allow the programmer to quickly and easily build applications for the new .Net framework. I have to remind you that C# is not the only language that lets you write applications for .Net Web services. You will find that the VB, C++, Perl, Python, and COBOL, etc., will be able to do the same thing as the C# programmer. The language supports native COM components and Windows API’s.
C# is a new language, but not one that offers new or exciting control structures. It only implements others found in sister languages. The .NET framework acts as software abstraction between your .NET Programs and the hardware. To run managed code, the .NET runtime has a Just-In-Time compiler which compiles managed code into native code. Remember that .NET Platform always compiles the code, unlike Java who interprets the code during runtime.
IDE
Visual Studio .net offers the most convenient environment to develop applications for the new framework. As expected from a Microsoft editor, it is easy to use, visually pleasing and offers many options for customization. There are, of course, many editors available from other companies with similar features and layout. The Visual Studio .Net comes in several versions:
Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect,
Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Developer,
Visual Studio .NET Professional
which can be found here (see below).
You can also get an academic version, available to students.
Another less expensive option to the C# editor would be the Antechius C# editor available as a trial version from Cpoint ltd.. I have used the editor and comparatively, not a disappointment. It has an IDE similar to the Visual Studio .Net,. If you cannot afford the Microsoft editor this would not be a bad choice, considering that the latest version of the compiler is available as a free download from Microsoft here (see below).
C# Today
C# Today is one of the sites from Wrox publishing, where you will find articles, news and of other features C# related? In actuality, the site is meant to expose many of the books they publish. I have used Wrox books in the past, and found them decent. The articles you will find on the site are not meant for a beginner, but the content is interesting for the more experienced user. Additionally, you will have the option to send feedback on the article.
C# help
This is my favorite site on C#. It has good content for all levels. It is a good site for beginners as well as those with experience. It gives directions on installation of the SDK and, of course, your first “Hello World” program. They recommend Windows NT or Windows 2000, but the compiler works as well on Windows 98 and even Linux (just joking about Linux). It is also nice that the site has a link to the original documentation that came with C#—so you don’t have to buy the book! In fact, here is the link (see below). If you know an object oriented language and you abstain from copying other’s code, this is one of the ways to learn about the language without spending money on a book. You could buy a book like “Learn C# in 24 hours”, it would be a waste of time and money as you just can’t learn this language in 24 hours. Just take your time and read the freely available documentation. Their code archive is extensive (286 articles). Do not hesitate to use it. There are banners on the site but I never found any of them intrusive, so I will never have any problem going back.
The Code Project
This is another site that has a lot of code. The site is using a grading system for their articles so you know what to expect before reading any of them. This is another site I love! It has a lot of information, not only on C#, but many other Microsoft-related languages and development environments.
The Other Sites
There are many sites which focus only on C# and many more that deal with the .Net environment in general. It will be an injustice not to give you links to a couple of them that I go to several times a week (see below).
Conclusion
I guess you know that the Microsoft’s .Net framework will compete with Sun’s J2EE. The new framework is not only a great product from Microsoft, but also a threat to the Java followers. A few months back, when the hype of .Net started, I watched the online interviews with Anders Hejlsberg. I started learning C# only few weeks ago and honestly I cannot stop. Many of you will say that C# is only a bastardized form of Java, but learning C# can only be beneficial to a Java programmer. Why not learn a language that feels like Java and yet, can be used with Visual Studio.
There is a lot of resentment in the Java development community against Microsoft, but if we leave the world of hype aside for a second, all is left is the two companies that compete in a market economy. If you do choose to take sides, make sure you take the side of the winner!!
Dragos Mincinoiu is a staff writer for Murdok.
