Programming C#

This is a great book for learning C#. The first part is an excellent tutorial in the language, just right for experienced C, C++ and Java programmers and for advanced VB6 programmers. The second part introduces how to use the language to create .net programs. This is a bit superficial, but his goal was only to provide an introduction, and it is a very good introduction. For more detail on really building advanced applications you will need an additional book (like his book on ASP.NET). The third part of Programming C# goes into advanced topics you won't easily find elsewhere, with excellent coverage of (for example) threading, remoting, reflection, streams and so forth.Liberty writes well, his examples are terrific, and he makes complex material easily understandable. Further, he supports his book on his web site where he provides not only source code but a discussion center where you can ask questions.I highly recommend this excellent tutorial.

This book begins with a complete introduction to the C# language, with special tips for C++, VB6 and Java programmers. The writing is excellent, to the point, humerous but not silly, no wasted words but plenty of examples. Part 2 of the book introduces the major types of applications you might build with C#, with a good introduction to ASP.NET, web forms, web services and also to ADO.NET.It is in part 3 that this book stands out from all the rest, with a thorough explanation of many aspects of the CLR and the Framework Class Library, including lucid and very well written explanations of Assemblies, versioning, attributes, reflection, marshaling, threading, synchronization mechanisms, streams, async i/o, and com interop. Each of these topics can be a book in itself, but this book, Programming C#, provides enough introduction to make you productive and to lay the foundation for further reading.I've not seen a better introduction to C#, and Liberty has a gift for making technical material crystal clear.

When I bought this book I was a beginning programmer setting out to learn C# and .NET. Liberty states in the book that beginners "may find some of it [the material in the book] tough going" but I took a chance and jumped out in the deep end and began reading it. Even though this is an extremely well written book (that I now highly appreciate) Liberty was right. I only made it to the middle of chapter 4 before I realized that the pace was too fast. Luckily I got hold of (and was rescued by) Michelsen's great book C# Primer Plus (on its nearly 1000 pages it teaches C#, OOP and programming basics from the very ground up). I found that the two books greatly supported each other because C# Primer Plus could fill in all my blanks while reading through Liberty's book. Moreover what C# Primer Plus was lacking in terms of .NET stuff (it doesn't touch ADO.NET, Windows Forms etc.) was presented by Programming C# in a now understandable and enjoyable form.Programming C# is a work by a highly motivated writer in top form and can be enjoyed by anybody who makes sure that the basics are adequately covered.

Direct and Intuitive...these are my two words to describe this book. Jesse has exceeded an already high O'Reilly standard with this offering.I have a basic web background (HTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS, Graphics) and was looking for the one (hopefully) book to help me catch on to C# and the many advanced object oriented concepts that come along with it.Jesse knows exactly what the object oriented newbie is going to ask, and lets you know exactly what is happening. He knows what will confuse you (me), and clarifies IMMEDIATELY. Having this kind of foresight makes it possible to read this book cover to cover without jumping back to re-learn something that was explained poorly in the first place. The layout in this book is top-shelf.As C# is completely dependent on the .NET Base Class Libraries, any text on the matter is incomplete without examples of and references to Windows and Web Forms. This book covers Windows Forms, Web forms, Web Services and ADO.NET. (The ADO.NET section is OUTSTANDING)(If you are ever in doubt about an O'Reilly book, they have the table of contents listed for every item at their site)I have yet to find a more efficient and easy to read text. Every time I think O'Reilly can't do any better, they come up with something like this. Your money is well spent here.

Yesterday I bit the bullet and installed VisualStudio.NET beta 2. Bringing up the IDE, I thought, "I guess its time to finally buy a C# book." Inside C# (Archer) reads very well, but it is more of an over view than an in depth treatment. Professional C# (Wrox authors) seems to cover *a lot* of ground, but because of its breadth, depth is not uniform. C# and the .NET Platform (Troelsen) seems exceptionally good, and has been my leading choice.Today, though, I came across Programming C# (Liberty). From Liberty's other books, I know that he is a careful, thoughtful author, and that he is able to explain things well. His skill is clearly evident in this book. Programming C# goes into even more detail and depth than Troelsen's book. I also appreciate that Liberty puts C# and .NET in the context of other development tools, for such touchstones make the going easier. It is a welcoming book for many classes of readers. Reading various parts of Programming C#, it is clear Liberty has worked hard and effectively to craft an exceptional text. I'm grateful to have waited and to be able to begin my journey into this new programming model with such a helpful, pleasant guide.