Albahari Ben - C# 4.0 in a Nutshell

Copyright 2010 Joseph Albahari and Ben Albahari

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While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

This book targets intermediate to advanced audiences. No prior knowledge of C# is required, but some general programming experience is necessary. For the beginner, this book complements, rather than replaces, a tutorial-style introduction to programming.

If youre already familiar with C# 3.0, youll find more than 100 pages dedicated to the new features of C# 4.0 and Framework 4.0. In addition, many chapters have been enhanced from the previous edition, most notably the chapters on the C# language, .NET Framework fundamentals, memory management, threading, and COM interoperability. Weve also updated the LINQ chapters to make the examples friendly to both LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework programmers.

This book is an ideal companion to any of the vast array of books that focus on an applied technology such as WPF, ASP.NET, or WCF. The areas of the language and .NET Framework that such books omit, C# 4.0 in a Nutshell covers in detailand vice versa.

If youre looking for a book that skims every .NET Framework technology, this is not for you. This book is also unsuitable if you want a replacement for IntelliSense (i.e., the alphabetical listings of types and type members that appeared in the C# 1.1 edition of this book).

The first three chapters after the introduction concentrate purely on C#, starting with the basics of syntax, types, and variables, and finishing with advanced topics such as unsafe code and preprocessor directives. If youre new to the language, you should read these chapters sequentially.

The remaining chapters cover the core .NET Framework, including such topics as LINQ, XML, collections, I/O and networking, memory management, reflection, dynamic programming, attributes, security, concurrency, application domains, and native interoperability. You can read most of these chapters randomly, except for Chapters , which lay a foundation for subsequent topics. The three chapters on LINQ are also best read in sequence.

What You Need to Use This Book

The examples in this book require a C# 4.0 compiler and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0. You will also find Microsofts .NET documentation useful to look up individual types and members. The easiest way to get all threealong with an integrated development environmentis to install Microsoft Visual Studio 2010. Any edition is suitable for whats taught in this book, including Visual Studio Express (a free download). Visual Studio also includes an express edition of SQL Server, required to run the LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework examples, and IntelliSense, which pops up type member listings as you type.

For Chapters ; to obtain the additional samples, click Download more samples in the Samples tab at the bottom left. You can then advance through each sample with a single click.

Conventions Used in This Book

The book uses basic UML notation to illustrate relationships between types, as shown in . A slanted rectangle means an abstract class; a circle means an interface. A line with a hollow triangle denotes inheritance, with the triangle pointing to the base type. A line with an arrow denotes a one-way association; a line without an arrow denotes a two-way association.

Figure 1. Sample diagram

The following typographical conventions are used in this book:

Italic

Indicates new terms, URIs, filenames, and directories

Constant width

Indicates C# code, keywords and identifiers, and program output

Constant width bold

Shows a highlighted section of code

Constant width italic

Shows text that should be replaced with user-supplied values

Note

This icon signifies a tip, suggestion, or general note.

Warning

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Using Code Examples

This book is here to help you get your job done. In general, you may use the code in this book in your programs and documentation. You do not need to contact us for permission unless youre reproducing a significant portion of the code. For example, writing a program that uses several chunks of code from this book does not require permission. Selling or distributing a CD-ROM of examples from OReilly books does require permission. Answering a question by citing this book and quoting example code does not require permission. Incorporating a significant amount of example code from this book into your products documentation does require permission .

We appreciate, but do not require, attribution. An attribution usually includes the title, author, publisher, and ISBN. For example: C# 4.0 in a Nutshell by Joseph Albahari and Ben Albahari. Copyright 2010 Joseph Albahari and Ben Albahari, 978-0-596-80095-6.