Introduction

Overview

Mastering the development of Microsoft .NET Framework applications in C# is less about knowing the C# language and more about knowing how to use the functionality of the .NET Framework class library most effectively. The C# Programmer's Cookbook explores the breadth of the .NET Framework class library and provides specific solutions to common and interesting programming problems. Each solution (or recipe) is presented in a succinct problem/solution format and is accompanied by working code samples.

The C# Programmer's Cookbook is not intended to teach you how to program, nor to teach you C#. However, if you have even the most rudimentary experience programming applications built on the .NET Framework using C#, you will find this book to be an invaluable resource.

Ideally, when you are facing a problem, this book will contain a recipe that provides the solution ”or at least it will point you in the right direction. Even if you are simply looking to broaden your knowledge of the .NET Framework class library, the C# Programmer's Cookbook is the perfect resource to assist you. You cannot become proficient with C# and the classes in the .NET Framework class library merely by reading about them; you must use them and experiment with them by writing programs, programs, and more programs. The structure and content of this book and the real-world applicability of the solutions it provides offer the perfect starting point from which to kick-start your own experimentation.

Note  

The code in this book has been written for and tested on version 1.1 of the .NET Framework. In many cases, you will find that the sample code will run on version 1.0 of the .NET Framework, but this has not been tested and no guarantees are made.