Rating: 
Summary: Editorial problems and shoddy writing ruin this book
Review: If you want to see an example of why not to buy this book, see the "complete" code listing of example 13-3, which ends (abruptly!) on page 331. "Abruptly" means the end of the code segment is not shown! Sure, you can go to the publisher's web page to get the "real" complete code segment, but why should you? There are many examples of this in Liberty's book. A number of the examples, when followed to the letter, do not work. A number of other examples don't tell the whole story, and so you are left guessing about something or other. One gets the impression that this book was done in a real hurry, with little or no editorial oversight. I don't have a recommendation for a good alternative to this book, but I am definitely looking!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Book. But...
Review: Very good book. Covers everything from basics to advanced topics. But there are minor errors in some of the source codes and discrepancy between the text and source code. For example, in the source code a variable is defined as "val" and the text is referencing a variable name "myVal". I find this confusing.
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't take long to know I had purchased a great book
Review: With most books the reader must wait until finishing it before forming a final opinion, and this is especially true with technical material. However, even though I have completed only about 1/4 of the book I can clearly and confidently state that my search for a great C# book was successful.
Liberty presents a level of explanation and detail for the language features and syntax that exactly fits the needs of C++ and/or JAVA programmers -- no elementary fluff or filler, no wasted words, and a comprehensive list of topics. That alone would probably make this book worth the purchase price, but it's only the beginning. After learning the programming language itself in the first half of the book, the reader is then immediately shown how to use C# within the .NET framework. The basic .NET architecture is also discussed, along with the Framework Class Library. This is exactly the way I learned how to program C++ in Visual Studio 6 (the predecessor the Visual Studio .NET) -- FIRST learn the language and then IMMEDIATELY learn about the IDE, along with MFC classes, etc. I will say, however, that if you're not already a C++ or JAVA programmer you might want to purchase another text to learn the syntax. But you should still buy this book because of its later chapters on using C# to build .NET applications (and because it would make a fine, compact C# reference text after you've grown more comfortable with the language).
Rating:
Summary: Well written and comprehensive
Review: This is a well written general introduction to C# programming that goes well beyond the basics to also teach you about .NET programming, the frameworks, and provides a good overview of web and windows programming. Jesse starts you out with the fundamentals, and provides comprehensive coverage of the language. Each idea is illustrated with an excellent example. He then provides an overview of windows programming, web programming and ADO and ends the book with excellent coverage of advanced topics. The advanced topics include threading, remoting, attributes and reflection and so forth. I highly recommend this book to C++ and Java programmers, VB6 programmers and even to highly motivated novices. I've looked at a lot of books on .NET and this is the best language tutorial I've seen. I was also very impressed with the depth of support Jesse provides on his web site. He has posted up to date source code, an errata with all reported errors in the book (there are very few) and he even runs his own support discussion center. O'Reilly books are excellent, and this is an excellent O'Reilly book.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, Well Written, Great Support
Review: This is an excellent introduction to C# programming and to .NET in general. Liberty writes well, his examples are clear, and he goes well beyond the fundamentals to provide a comprehensive introducton to the material. As a VB6 programmer I found it very approachable and easy to read. I was impressed by the tips for VB programmers and the careful explanation of object-oriented programming concepts. I recommend this book without reservation; it is by far the best general introduction to C# programming currently available. In addition, Liberty provides extensive support on his web page...
Rating:
Summary: Too Many Topics
Review: This book tries to cover way too much stuff in 500 pages. I think it would have been better as solely a C# syntax book (comparible to Thinking in Java). Instead it attempts to cover syntax, applied programming in the framework(web and windows forms), ADO.NET and other CLR topics. The first section is C# syntax and is ok ... could be more detailed. The sections on web/windows forms, and ado.net are overview at bests and are useless.
Rating:
Summary: happily got exactly what I paid for
Review: I thought the first third of the book offered both a nice intro to c# for people with programming experience, and as a reference for those who like the feel of paper. If you are in this demographic, by all means pick this up. The last third of the book is what I paid for tho. The .net framework is a huge library, but Jesse has wisely chosen the least understood areas: threading, streams, and reflection, to really attack. I bought this book mainly because I wanted to get a nicely laid out hand holding on these technologies, and Jesse delivered.
Rating:
Summary: The must have C# book for developers who want to master C#!
Review: Have you ever read a technical book and thought to your self "Gee I wonder if this person has written a line of code in 10 years?" Well you won't be thinking that when you get this book. Wait a minute did I use past tense there? Yes I did and I tell you why! Jesse has a writing style that is both fun and prophetic! Well prophetic may be a strong word; but I can't remember the last time I read through a technical manual and had the author literally reading my mind! Page after page I felt Jesse was sitting next to me! LOL I cannot give a higher recommendation for a book on "How to" C#. If you are just learning C# this is an excellent choice. If you think you know C# well...just skim a over the chapters on Interfaces and maybe Reflection and Emitting IL! I love this stuff. Jesse provides IL for most of the examples so you get a good feel for what is really happening under the covers. Thanks Jesse! XMLViking
Rating:
Summary: Unless 2nd edition is a total rewrite!
Review: The first edition of this book isn't worth the money. The author tries to cover way to much in way to little of time. Trying to show the basics of int i = 0; to creating streaming network clients is way to much scope for 500 pages.
In it's section about how to use the Visual Studio part the author is still using code examples instead of GUI examples. I have no doubt the author knows what he is talking about, but he doesn't know how to make others know what he is talking about.
Rating:
Summary: Covers what one needs to get a foundation in C#
Review: This book has proved invaluable in not only the learning of the C# language but also in the .NET Platform; and also for people interested in becoming serious with ASP.NET. The change from classic ASP to the newer ASP.NET has resulted in a move from a scripting language paradigm to a full fledged object oriented methodology. Reading Programming C# will give a person the necessary foundation in OO principles to take advantage of the power of the .NET Platform.
Programming C# makes a great reference book since it contains all the C# constructs with explanations; however also makes an easy read due to Jesse Liberty's easy to read and down to earth writing style.
After reading this book, one should be able to say he is a C#er. Having this background will allow one to tackle the .NET Base Class Library with a better understanding and keener incite.
I recommend this book as a good, no nonsense read.
| 
