Head First C# (Brain-Friendly Guides)

I needed a quick introduction to C# to help me to build an ASP.Net web application. I really needed to understand the coding that was given to me so that I could make some modifications, and this excellent book did the trick. It appears light-hearted on the surface, but actually makes some serious inroads into the language, and the information really sticks.I feel confident with C# now and have gained more insight into programming in general. The application that I was working on was a success, and I owe it all to this excellent book. If you are looking for an intro into programming with C# then I cannot imagine a better place to begin than with this book.

C# for the person who doesn't already know C# (0/2 people found this helpful)

Having just completed the first section of the book, I would like to update my comments.

I say completed rather than "finished reading" because this book really is a series of very hands-on mini tutorials that build upon each other to give the complete novice first a solid, lasting and applicable grounding in programming concepts, increasing in complexity (though only at a rate which the book has ensured that ANY reader can follow) until finally the novice has become a confident, self-reliant C# programmer able to apply his/her skill to any programming assignment.

Not a reference book by any means, rather a VERY cheap course where the coach is personal, black on white on paper and has to be read at your own speed of understanding and assimilation rather than bearded, sweaty, overpaid and having to be listened to. The order of teaching is precise, giving you what you need at the right time rather than resorting to the all too familiar "but we will cover that later, in chapter 724" and the pace is pitch perfect leaving no-one behind, bringing the reader's attention back to things covered in previous chapters so that he/she is sure to have committed the processes but also the jargon to memory with regular revision activities such as crosswords and puzzles.

This is the first book on C# that I have found that doesn't explain jargon with more jargon. Instead, it gives you similes, comparisons, metaphors from common human experience which help the reader understand how various elements of the programming language work.

One third of the way through it I have already learned more than my £3000 course with a well marketed IT training body *cough-skillstrain-don't-do-it-to-yourself-cough* has been able to teach me in a quarter of the time .

Five star with no hesitation.

A guidebook to learning, not a reference manual (7/7 people found this helpful)

I've read enough books on programming to know what to expect before I even open the cover: intro, jargon definitions, syntax definitions (that gets you about 50% through the book), n-chapters with explanations/examples of major features, a chapter with stuff that didn't fit anywhere else, The End. A bit like learning to speak a foreign language by reading the dictionary and then reading a book on grammar: dry and completely backwards.

Head First C# takes a much more effective approach. From the start you are using what you learn and building upon that base with successive lessons. New concepts are introduced and explained when you have the necessary context to understand them. Examples are not snippets of code in isolation. And praise the heavens, none involve the worn-out Employer/Employee, Customer/Order/Address class cliches. The final project is a Space Invaders clone... code you might actually enjoy writing. What a novel idea.

If I had any complaint it's that the visual style is a bit busy. Mostly because I'm used to reading reference manuals, but I guess the style is what "kids" like these days. I certainly would have preferred a book like this when I was new to the programming game. The lighthearted approach of the does not sacrifice a depth of understanding. Buy this book and a C# reference manual. Learn with this one, and look up the fine points in the other.

don't bother (4/8 people found this helpful)

Having read, and absolutely loved Head First Java and Head First OOP I found the style of this book to be a long way from what makes Head First books a joy to read, and therefore an excellent learning tool.

The examples of code are dreary and uninspiring, with very little content or explanation of what you are actually doing. i.e. "just type this, compile and run... cool huh?"

I only managed to get through 40-50% of this book before giving up on it. Spend your money instead on Apress' Pro C# 2008 and the .NET 3.5 Platform (4th edition), I found this book to be 1000% better, despite it appearing to be a more serious book, it actually explains everything in simple terms and gives (reasonably) good examples. Apart from the author repeatedly beginning sentences with the word "Understand..." which I find a little bit patronising.

Head First C# (1/3 people found this helpful)

Do you have a sense of humour ?
Do you want to learm C#?

If the answer is YES to both questions then get this book as it has no competition :)

Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene

Reader Reviews:

Ecellent Introduction to C# and to Programming (0/1 people found this helpful)

C# for the person who doesn't already know C# (0/2 people found this helpful)

A guidebook to learning, not a reference manual (7/7 people found this helpful)

don't bother (4/8 people found this helpful)

Head First C# (1/3 people found this helpful)

Similar Products

Categories