Professional Development & Career Growth

TL;DR

• The book provides a good introduction to C# basics and object-oriented programming
• Despite the title, learning in one day is unrealistic for beginners
• Useful practical exercises, but more time is needed to solidify knowledge
• Good resource to start learning C#, but won’t replace systematic practice

Who is this book for?

The book primarily targets beginners who want to enter the world of C# programming language. If you’re in a similar situation as I was once - changing careers and starting from scratch - this might be a good start. But don’t expect miracles in 24 hours.

The book emphasizes foundational language concepts, which are critical for progressing to more advanced projects and practical applications.

If you’re already programming in another language (say JavaScript or Python), the book can help you quickly grasp C# programming language syntax. It’s like switching from a BMW to a Mercedes - different car, but similar basics.

Introduction to C#

What is C# Exactly?

C# (pronounced “C sharp”) is a modern, general-purpose programming language developed by Microsoft as part of its .NET framework. It’s designed to be simple, powerful, and versatile, making it a popular choice among developers. C# is an object-oriented language, which means it focuses on creating reusable code through objects and classes.

Why Learn C# as a Programming Language?

C# is a versatile language that opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you’re interested in web development, desktop applications, mobile apps, or even game development, C# has you covered. Its ease of use, flexibility, and scalability make it a favorite among developers. Learning C# can significantly boost your career prospects, allowing you to work on diverse projects ranging from building web applications and mobile apps to creating games and enterprise software. With C#, you’re not just learning a language; you’re gaining a valuable skill set that’s in high demand across various industries.

What’s inside?

Author Jamie Chan covers all basic C# concepts:

• language basics (how to run your first program, declare variables, etc.)
• Classes and objects (fundamentals of object-oriented programming)
• Inheritance and interfaces (how not to reinvent the wheel)
• Data types, loops, and conditions (basic tools of every programmer)
• Understanding the int data type and its importance in storing whole numbers.
• Learning about explicit type conversion and how to safely perform data type transitions.

Real expectations vs marketing

I need to be honest here - the title “Learn C# in One Day and Learn It Well” is more of a marketing hook than a real promise.

As someone who learned programming from scratch, I’ll tell you this - one day is enough to:

• Install necessary tools
• Write your first “Hello World”
• Understand the most basic concepts

To truly master C#, you need to write code regularly and engage in hands-on practice.

But to really “master” C#? That requires time, practice, and patience. It took me about 5 hours to work through the book and complete the “hands-on” project described there, but you should know that I skipped a large part of the book because I had worked with C++ long ago and quickly recalled many things the author spent a lot of time on, like polymorphism.

Similarly with simple things like what variables, functions, classes, and inheritance are. For me, it was just about seeing the syntax, but I realize that for someone who has never programmed, this might not be something you can understand in two quarters of an hour.

What do you need to start?

To work with the examples, you need:

• Visual Studio Community (Windows) or Visual Studio Code (Mac/Linux), both of which are integrated development environments
• .NET SDK
• C# Dev Kit extension for VS Code
• (Optional) Debugging extensions

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight code editor compatible with multiple platforms and offers extensions like the C# Dev Kit to enhance the coding experience.

Note for Mac users: Visual Studio Community is no longer available on macOS. Microsoft recommends using VS Code with appropriate extensions.

What you’ll find in the book

The book covers basic C# concepts and object-oriented programming: // Example topics

class Program {
  static void Main(string[] args) {
      // Data types
      int number = 42;
      string text = "Hello World";

      // Classes and objects
      var myClass = new MyClass();

      // Inheritance
      class Child : Parent { }

      // Interfaces
      interface IExample { }
  }
}

The book starts with fundamentals - environment installation and your first “Hello World” program, then takes you through the world of variables, data types, and basic operations.

In subsequent chapters, you’ll learn about data structures (arrays, strings, lists) and learn about user interaction and program flow control. Considerable space is devoted to object-oriented programming - from class creation basics to inheritance and interfaces.

For more advanced readers, there are chapters on LINQ and file operations. Everything culminates in a practical HR system project where you’ll use the acquired knowledge in a real scenario and create a new project (console application).

What you’ll not find in the book

You will not find too much about net framework, how to build web apps (web development), or mobile apps. For this you need to study additional materials.

Additionally, the book does not cover Visual Basic, another language that can leverage the .NET framework alongside C# and C++.

Teaching approach

The book uses a practical project as the main teaching tool. Instead of dry theory, you learn through implementation:

1. Basic concepts are introduced gradually
2. Each concept is illustrated with a practical example
3. The final project brings together all learned elements

The book’s approach helps you understand how C# compares to other programming languages, making it easier to transition if you have experience with languages like JavaScript or Python.

Pros and cons

Advantages

The main strength of the book is its practical approach through code and exercises. The author guides the reader through specific implementations, which significantly speeds up the learning process. Each concept is immediately translated into working code.

The material is logically ordered and well-structured. The book leads readers from basic concepts through more advanced topics, helping build solid knowledge foundations.

The clear and accessible explanations of basic programming concepts also deserve praise. The author effectively explains difficult concepts using understandable analogies and real-world examples.

Disadvantages

The main drawback is the book’s unrealistic promise of learning C# in one day. For beginning programmers, grasping syntax basics, understanding the object-oriented paradigm, and learning the .NET platform requires much more time.

On the other hand, the book treats good programming practices superficially. It focuses on syntax basics but omits key aspects of writing maintainable code, such as SOLID principles or design patterns.

I’m not surprised at all because what can you learn in one day? I once tried to fix a car in one day and all I managed to do in that time was break it more.

Conclusions

The book works well as a starting point for learning C#, especially if:

• You’re a beginner programmer and want to make your first app - see that amazing “Hello world” in the console
• or you know other languages and want to quickly learn C# syntax
• You need an organized introduction to C#

However, for real work with C# you need:

• More practice
• Deeper understanding of the .NET platform
• Knowledge of design patterns and best practices
• Experience with real projects

Summary

This book can serve as a basic guide to C#, but in today’s times, it’s worth considering alternative learning paths. From my own experience, I’ve noticed that AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude offer a more interactive and personalized approach to learning programming. They can adjust the pace and difficulty level to your needs, and immediately answer questions.

However, regardless of the chosen method, remember - learning programming is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency and small steps are more important than trying to learn everything in one day.

I’ll share my experiences with using AI in learning programming in a separate article, as the topic is fascinating and deserves deeper analysis.

And if you’re curious about my findings, sign up for the newsletter - it’ll be interesting! 😉