Where to Go from Here

You re looking to learn more about C#? Here are details of my favorite C#- related sources: from books to Web sites, videos to more Web sites. Go wild!

• The .NET Languages: A Quick Translation Guide (Brian Bischof, $29.95, Apress, 1-893115-48-8): This is one excellent book, and it s obvious that Bischof put a lot of work into compiling it. This book is basically a longer version of this chapter, with full-featured examples showing how to translate between VB6, VB .NET, and C#. I tend to learn hands on ” however this is one of the few programming books I ve actually spent time reading. Top stuff.

• C# and the .NET Platform (Andrew Troelsen, $59.95, Apress, 1-893115-59-3): This is one big book that will teach you pretty much everything. With masses of real-world code samples, this book will teach even those new to the world of programming how to get running with the C# language. Hefty, yes. Textbook style, yes. But a solid introduction in more ways than one.

• Professional C# (Simon Robinson et al., $59.99, Wrox, 1-861004-99-0): Written by a whopping nine authors, this is another big book with plenty to offer. It dives into the real nitty gritty early on and takes no prisoners . It s best used as a technical reference guide for those already using the language.

• AppDev Courses (www.appdev.com): If you learn visually, you might be interested in the range of video courses offered by AppDev. The courses are available on CD-ROM and video; I ve seen them myself and admit to being suitably impressed. Another C# video provider is Keystone Learning Systems at www.keystonelearning.com.

• Visual C# .NET Homepage (http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/): Microsoft s home for Bill s favorite language. Enough said.

• GotDotNet.com (www.gotdotnet.com/team/csharp/): Microsoft-supported community site with a friendly feel and a focus on learning from the ground up. Also, check out the Microsoft ASP.NET site at www.asp.net.

• C# Corner (www.c-sharpcorner.com): Dodgy Web address and curious design, but nonetheless a healthy resource with plenty of categorized C# features and code snippets.

• Master C# (www.mastercsharp.com): This personal site from Saurabh Nandu is packed with tons of useful, techie code. Not for the beginner, but definitely one to bookmark.

• VB Forums (www.vbforums.com): Once my own little baby, this site is now part of Internet.com and boasts a fantastic C# forum. Ask your questions and get your answers.

And that s all for C#. Yes, it may look confusing at first ”but once you venture in, you ll realize it s really not all that difficult. Just keep curious, keep open -minded and keep the caffeine flowing .

Enjoy!