Thread: Difficulty learning C#

  1. #1
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    Difficulty learning C#

    I'm looking for a new approach to learning, I've tried several books, they've been no use to me.

    I'm thinking of trying some training software or videos, but I don't know what's out there.
    Can anyone recommend some products to learn C#? I've been trying to grasp this language for some time without any success.

    I would also like to mention, I am not highly technical-oriented, nor am I experienced at any other language. So I need material for complete beginner.

    Thanks for your time!!!

  2. #2
    Frequently Quite Prolix dwks's Avatar
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    There are some programming books that are written in a very easy-to-understand way. For example: http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-C-Pr.../dp/1931841160
    And there must be some videos out there that you could watch. http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...G=Search&meta=

    Try googling around. You might find something.

    Why C#, and not C++ for example?

    Just out of curiosity, have you read any of the books from the Strongbow Saga? Your username reminds me of it.
    dwk

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  3. #3
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    I learned C# in about 3 days solely from the .NET documentation on it. The rest amounts to looking up which namespace, control name, method, property, etc., that you need.

    Also google helps a lot because there is tons of info about C# on the net.

    C# is very, very close to how you code in VB except it still feels like C++ and objects are truly objects.

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    Sorry for late response, but thanks for all advice, Dwks and Bubba.


    Question1: Why C#, and not C++ for example?


    Well from what I've read, the applications I want to make in future (video games), can be done in C# in less-time than C++. It also seemed like an easier language overall, to learn, it's newer, and when I looked at two different Hello World projects, I found C# was just easier for me to grasp. I have no intention of being a professional programmer, so I'll probably never need to pick up the C++ language.

    Question 2: Just out of curiosity, have you read any of the books from the Strongbow Saga? Your username reminds me of it.

    Nope, haven't read Strongbow Saga yet, are the books any good?

  5. #5
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    I would not recommend using C# for games. It's great for tools and GUI stuff and I'm not saying it cannot do games, but C++ is far more suited to the kind of code you need in games.

    I know there is XNA C# and all that but IMO that is Microsoft's attempt at selling their GUI language to the gamers and wannabe game programmers. Any serious game company probably will not use C# until some major modifications are done.

    Even with the speed, flexibility, and power of C++ today's games still push the language and the computer to the limits. And that is without some big brother memory manager running in the background making sure you behave.

    So, in short, use the best tool for the job. C# IMO is not the best tool for writing video games but later it will help you kick out some very nice editors and tools for the game.
    Last edited by VirtualAce; 11-26-2007 at 08:10 PM.

  6. #6
    Frequently Quite Prolix dwks's Avatar
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    Nope, haven't read Strongbow Saga yet, are the books any good?
    They're okay, your name just reminded me of them.
    dwk

    Seek and ye shall find. quaere et invenies.

    "Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it." -- Alan Perlis
    "Testing can only prove the presence of bugs, not their absence." -- Edsger Dijkstra
    "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -- John Powell


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  7. #7
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    I found there's a nice tutorial in the visual C# studio express help manual. It has good primers on the language along with detailed specs.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubba View Post
    I would not recommend using C# for games. It's great for tools and GUI stuff and I'm not saying it cannot do games, but C++ is far more suited to the kind of code you need in games.

    I know there is XNA C# and all that but IMO that is Microsoft's attempt at selling their GUI language to the gamers and wannabe game programmers. Any serious game company probably will not use C# until some major modifications are done.

    Even with the speed, flexibility, and power of C++ today's games still push the language and the computer to the limits. And that is without some big brother memory manager running in the background making sure you behave.

    So, in short, use the best tool for the job. C# IMO is not the best tool for writing video games but later it will help you kick out some very nice editors and tools for the game.
    Well if he's talking about hobby game programming, which it sounded like, C# is as good as anything.
    You ever try a pink golf ball, Wally? Why, the wind shear on a pink ball alone can take the head clean off a 90 pound midget at 300 yards.

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