Datasheet

1
Introducing C#
Welcome to the first chapter of the first section of this book. This section will provide you with the
basic knowledge you need to get up and running with C#. This chapter provides an overview of
C# and the .NET Framework, including what these technologies are, the motivation for using
them, and how they relate to each other.
First is a general discussion of the .NET Framework. This technology contains many concepts that
are tricky to come to grips with initially. This means that the discussion, by necessity, covers many
new concepts in a short amount of space. However, a quick look at the basics is essential to
understanding how to program in C#. Later in the book you will revisit many of the topics covered
here, exploring them in more detail.
After that general introduction, the chapter provides a basic description of C# itself, including its
origins and similarities to C++. Finally, you look at the primary tools used throughout this book:
Visual Studio 2008 (VS) and Visual C# 2008 Express Edition (VCE).
What Is the .NET Framework?
The .NET Framework is a new and revolutionary platform created by Microsoft for developing
applications. The most interesting thing about this statement is how vague it is but there are
good reasons for this. For a start, note that it doesn t develop applications on the Windows
operating system. Although the Microsoft release of the .NET Framework runs on the Windows
operating system, it is fast becoming possible to find alternative versions that will work on other
systems. One example of this is Mono, an open - source version of the .NET Framework (including
a C# compiler) that runs on several operating systems, including various flavors of Linux and Mac
OS. More such projects are in the pipeline and may be available by the time you read this. In
addition, you can use the Microsoft .NET Compact Framework (essentially a subset of the full
.NET Framework) on personal digital assistant (PDA) class devices and even some smartphones.
One of the key motivations behind the .NET Framework is its intended use as a means of
integrating disparate operating systems.
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