C# Tutorial

This tutorial covers Microsoft's new programming language C#. It is aimed at people with some programming experience, although it tries not to assume too much knowledge. The contents page contains links to all the lessons, and to subsections of these lessons. Otherwise, choose from the links in the box on the right.

Note that the tutorial covers the syntax of C#, rather than going through the .NET framework classes. Since there are over 6000 of these classes, this would have been rather a big job. Indeed, the coverage of the syntax as it is isn't anywhere near exhaustive (for detailed specifications, see the C# reference material).

If you have any comments, errata or questions about these lessons, please get in touch with our C# pro at andy@softsteel.co.uk. Note, though, that it is not his job to teach anyone programming, or to do anyone's homework.

* 07/03/02 - we've rewritten the chapter on xml documentation (ch. 19). As well as being more thorough, it raises an issue about conflicting advice on how to use some of the tags, and highlights the many problems with the documenter. We also unveil the Softsteel C# Documenter, a free software project released under the GNU GPL.

* 12/02/02 - with the final release of the .NET framework we have been through and checked all the code, fixing various errata. Also added the 'patchwork book', a collection of links to sample chapters available on the web.

* 06/02/02 - corrected one erratum, added lots of books to the list of C# books

* 04/01/02 - corrected some errata about pointers on chapter 5 (pointed out by another helpful correspondent), and added some explanatory text

* 02/12/01 - corrected some errata on chapter 13 (pointed out by a helpful correspondent)

* 07/10/01 - following feedback, we have added a section on indexers. In response to other queries, we should also like to say that we are open to the idea of covering the .NET classes by accepting other people's tutorials. We would review and verify these, and retain the right to rewrite or expand them to fit our style, but the original author would be fully credited. (If this is too much of an imposition, there are plenty of other C# sites out there which host tutorials).

* 09/09/01 - a few updates have been made to account for beta 2 release changes.

* We have now set up links to recommended C# books available at Amazon.

* Following feedback, we have now introduced printer-friendly versions of these lessons. Note, however, that we have no plans to publish a single document containing the whole tutorial.