Datasheet

1
Getting Started
Welcome to the world of object - oriented programming and C#! The primary goal of this book is
to use the C# programming language from Microsoft to teach you object - oriented programming,
or OOP. This book assumes that you have no prior programming experience in any language and
that you know nothing about OOP.
If you do have programming experience and some familiarity with OOP, that ’ s fine. Having that
experience makes things easier for you. However, I still encourage you to read the book from
start to finish for a number of reasons. First, this book represents the distillation of 25 years of
programming and teaching experience. I have a good idea of what works and what doesn ’ t work
when it comes to explaining complex topics so that they ’ re easy to understand. Reading each
chapter gives you the tools to understand the next chapter. Second, I may introduce topics in one
chapter and then rely heavily on those topics in a much later chapter. In other words, the process
used to learn OOP and C# is one that introduces new topics based upon ones that were introduced
earlier. Obviously, it ’ s important to master the earlier content before tackling the later content.
Finally, the programming examples I use also build on concepts presented in earlier program
examples. It will be easier for you to understand the later program examples if you ’ ve
experimented with those programs introduced earlier in the book.
One more thing: You cannot learn programming by just reading about it. You have to dig in and
start programming yourself. For that reason, there are exercises at the end of each chapter designed
to help you hone your programming skills. The learning process is even more interesting if you
try to create your own programs based upon some real problems you ’ d like to solve. Don ’ t
worry if things don ’ t fall together instantly on the first try. You should plan to make a ton of
“ flat - forehead ” mistakes . . . you know, the kind of mistake where, upon discovering it, you pound
the heel of your hand into your forehead and say: “ How could I make such a stupid mistake! ” Not
to worry . . . we ’ ve all been there. Such mistakes are just part of the process of becoming a
programmer and you should expect to make your fair share. However, stick with it, read the
book, and you ’ ll be surprised at how fast things will come together. Indeed, I think you ’ ll find
programming to be a truly enjoyable pastime.
ISBN: 978-0-470-26129-3 I Title: Beginning C# 3.0 : An Introduction to Object Oriented Programming I SKU: 9785CH0009874