Greene Jennifer - Head First C#: A Learners Guide to Real-World Programming with C#, XAML, and .NET

Head First C#

Jennifer Greene

Andrew Stellman

Beijing Cambridge Farnham Kln Sebastopol Tokyo

This book is dedicated to the loving memory of Sludgie the Whale, who swam to Brooklyn on April 17, 2007.

You were only in our canal for a day, but youll be in our hearts forever.

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Head First C#

Programming/C#/.NET

What will you learn from this book?

Head First C# is a complete learning experience for programming with C#, XAML, the .NET Framework, and Visual Studio. Built for your brain, this book keeps you engaged from the first chapter, where youll build a fully functional video game. After that, youll learn about classes and object-oriented programming, draw graphics and animation, query your data with LINQ, and serialize it to files. And youll do it all by building games, solving puzzles, and doing hands-on projects. By the time youre done youll be a solid C# programmer, and youll have a great time along the way!

Why does this book look so different?

We think your time is too valuable to spend struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First C# uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, not a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep.

If you want to learn C# in depth and have fun doing it, this is THE book for you.

Andy Parker, fledgling C# programmer

Head First C# will guide beginners of all sorts to a long and productive relationship with C# and the .NET Framework.

Chris Burrows, Developer on Microsofts C# Compiler team

Head First C# got me up to speed in no time for my first large scale C# development project at work-I highly recommend it.

Shalewa Odusanya, Technical Account Manager, Google

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Advance Praise for Head First C#

Head First C# is a great book, both for brand new developers and developers like myself coming from a Java background. No assumptions are made as to the readers proficiency yet the material builds up quickly enough for those who are not complete newbiesa hard balance to strike. This book got me up to speed in no time for my first large scale C# development project at workI highly recommend it.

Shalewa Odusanya, Technical Account Manager, Google

Head First C# is an excellent, simple, and fun way of learning C#. Its the best piece for C# beginners Ive ever seenthe samples are clear, the topics are concise and well written. The mini-games that guide you through the different programming challenges will definitely stick the knowledge to your brain. A great learn-by-doing book!

Johnny Halife, Chief Architect, Mural.ly

Head First C# is a comprehensive guide to learning C# that reads like a conversation with a friend. The many coding challenges keep it fun, even when the concepts are tough.

Rebeca Duhn-Krahn, founding partner at Semphore Solutions

Ive never read a computer book cover to cover, but this one held my interest from the first page to the last. If you want to learn C# in depth and have fun doing it, this is THE book for you.

Andy Parker, fledgling C# programmer

Its hard to really learn a programming language without good engaging examples, and this book is full of them! Head First C# will guide beginners of all sorts to a long and productive relationship with C# and the .NET Framework.

Chris Burrows, developer for Microsofts C# Compiler team

With Head First C# , Andrew and Jenny have presented an excellent tutorial on learning C#. It is very approachable while covering a great amount of detail in a unique style. If youve been turned off by more conventional books on C#, youll love this one.

Jay Hilyard, software developer, co-author of C# 3.0 Cookbook

Id reccomend this book to anyone looking for a great introduction into the world of programming and C#. From the first page onwards, the authors walks the reader through some of the more challenging concepts of C# in a simple, easy-to-follow way. At the end of some of the larger projects/labs, the reader can look back at their programs and stand in awe of what theyve accomplished.

David Sterling, developer for Microsofts Visual C# Compiler team

Head First C# is a highly enjoyable tutorial, full of memorable examples and entertaining exercises. Its lively style is sure to captivate readersfrom the humorously annotated examples, to the Fireside Chats, where the abstract class and interface butt heads in a heated argument! For anyone new to programming, theres no better way to dive in.

Joseph Albahari, C# Design Architect at Egton Medical Information Systems, the UKs largest primary healthcare software supplier, co-author of C# 3.0 in a Nutshell

[ Head First C# ] was an easy book to read and understand. I will recommend this book to any developer wanting to jump into the C# waters. I will recommend it to the advanced developer that wants to understand better what is happening with their code. [I will recommend it to developers who] want to find a better way to explain how C# works to their less-seasoned developer friends.