Essential C# 5.0 (Microsoft .Net Development)

From the Preface

Throughout the history of software engineering, the methodology used to write computer programs has undergone several paradigm shifts, each building on the foundation of the former by increasing code organization and decreasing complexity. This book takes you through these same paradigm shifts.

The beginning chapters take you through sequential programming structure in which statements are written in the order in which they are executed. The problem with this model is that complexity increases exponentially as the requirements increase. To reduce this complexity, code blocks are moved into methods, creating a structured programming model. This allows you to call the same code block from multiple locations within a program, without duplicating code. Even with this construct, however, programs quickly become unwieldy and require further abstraction. Object-oriented programming, discussed in Chapter 5, was the response. In subsequent chapters, you will learn about additional methodologies, such as interface-based programming, LINQ (and the transformation it makes to the collection API), and eventually rudimentary forms of declarative programming (in Chapter 17) via attributes.

This book has three main functions.

• It provides comprehensive coverage of the C# language, going beyond a tutorial and offering a foundation upon which you can begin effective software development projects.
• For readers already familiar with C#, this book provides insight into some of the more complex programming paradigms and provides in-depth coverage of the features introduced in the latest version of the language, C# 5.0 and .NET Framework 4.5.
• It serves as a timeless reference, even after you gain proficiency with the language.

The key to successfully learning C# is to start coding as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you are an “expert” in theory; start writing software immediately. As a believer in iterative development, I hope this book enables even a novice programmer to begin writing basic C# code by the end of Chapter 2.

A number of topics are not covered in this book. You won’t find coverage of topics such as ASP.NET, ADO.NET, smart client development, distributed programming, and so on. Although these topics are relevant to the .NET Framework, to do them justice requires books of their own. Fortunately, Addison-Wesley’s Windows Development Series provides a wealth of writing on these topics. Essential C# 5.0 focuses on C# and the types within the Base Class Library. Reading this book will prepare you to focus on and develop expertise in any of the areas covered by the rest of the series.

The authors illustrate key constructs with succinct, downloadable code examples. Graphical mind maps at the beginning of each chapter outline the material that is covered and how individual topics interrelate. This edition also includes C# Coding Guidelines that call attention to today’s best practices for writing C# code. Separate indexes of C# versions 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 make it easy to find answers specific to whatever version of C# you are using.

Throughout, topics intended for beginners and advanced readers are clearly marked. If you’re new to C#, this guide will help you start writing significant code quickly. If you’re an experienced C# developer, you’ll gain insight into today’s most complex programming challenges and techniques as you master key C# 5.0 innovations such as async/await pattern. No matter how advanced your skills become, you’ll come to rely on this indispensable reference.

Coverage includes

• Mastering C# data types, operators, control flow, methods, and parameters
• Making the most of C# object-oriented constructs, including classes, inheritance, interfaces, and more
• Building reliable, effective exception handling into your code
• Using generics, delegates, Lambda expressions, and events to reduce code complexity
• Learning dynamic programming with reflection and attributes
• Querying virtually any type of data using LINQ with Query Expressions
• Creating custom collections that operate against business objects
• Understanding the Common Language Infrastructure and C# in the context of the .NET 4.5 development platform
• Taking advantage of declarative programming, embedded metadata, reflection, and attributes
• Thoroughly mastering multithreading and synchronization, including the new async/await paradigm
• Discussion of WinRT and programming in C# for Windows 8
• Using P/Invoke, pointers, and direct memory manipulation to interoperate with code in other languages
• Understanding how C# programs relate to the underlying runtime

Eric Lippert is a principal software design engineer at Microsoft. He has been working full time in the developer division since 1996, where he assisted with the design and implementation of VBScript, JScript, JScript .NET, Windows Script Host, Visual Studio Tools for Office and C#. Though he maintaines a technical blog about the design, implementation and use of programming languages, he has occasionally delved into other interests such as ancient Greek politics, music theory, and relationship advice. When he is not designing and implementing programming languages he can be found writing and editing technical books, sailing small craft, playing the piano, attending live theater, and collecting books about the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. He lives in Seattle with his wife Leah and cat, Minerva.

Worth noting, Eric has one of the most popular developer blogs in the Microsoft programming community.

Front Matter

Preface

Chapter 1-Introducing C#

Chapter 2-Data Types

Chapter 3-Operators and Control Flow

Chapter 4-Methods and Parameters

Chapter 5-Classes

Chapter 6-Inheritance

Chapter 7-Interfaces

Chapter 8-Value Types

Chapter 9-Well-Formed Types

Chapter 10-Exception Handling

Chapter 11-Generics

Chapter 12-Delegates and Lambda Expressions

Chapter 13-Events

Chapter 14-Collection Interfaces with Standard Query Operators

Chapter 15-Query Expressions

Chapter 16-Building Custom Collections

Chapter 17-Reflection, Attributes, and Dynamic Programming

Chapter 18-Multithreading

Chapter 19- Synchronization and Other Multithreading Patterns

Chapter 20-Platform Interoperability and Unsafe Code

Chapter 21-The Common Language Infrastructure

Appendix A-Downloading and Installing the C# Compiler and the CLI Platform

Appendix B-Full Source Code Listings

Appendix C-Concurrent Classes from System.Collections.Concurrent

Appendices D, E, and F and G indices on releases 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, and 5.0, respectively

Index