Can someone recommend a book on C# that walks a programmer through the entire process for writing a windows, OOP application,?

I've seen a lot of books that deal with syntax, and I've seen books that talk about classes, inheritance, polymorphism, etc - and they all pretty much are re-writes of the MSDN documentation. They use widgets and foo's to show small examples. But I want to walk hand-in-hand with a "tutor" through a complete app. For me, this seems to be the best way to learn about classes.

If anyone knows of the ASP book, "ASP.NET 2.0 Website Programming: Problem - Design - Solution (Programmer to Programmer)" - this is probably what I'm looking for, but something more to do with OOP and windows apps, - not so much about ASP and web.

Thanks for your input!


Sincerely,
Brian

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Sincerely,
Brian

Hi Brian,

I think the problem that many authors have is "how much is too much?" they often need to abstract away a lot of the vastness that is "development" in order to focus on the subject matter the book is supposed to be delivering. I know there are the odd books that are pretty close.. But I have yet to read them myself.

To be honest, I think if you are already OK with the C# syntax, and familiar with the Framework, then you may be better focusing on books that discuss Design Patterns...

I found once I had got to grips with the C# syntax, a lot of books really started not "doing it" for me until I started reading up on design patterns. They really help you to see things as objects and creating flexible, malleable applications. The fact that it was Windows or Web was really irrelevant, and this really helped me open my mind, and got me thinking about the software as a system, not the specifics of the implementation..

This abstraction really helps in your design and allows you to focus on the individual problems - be it UI design, Data Access Layer Architecture, whatever.

Now - If I want to get better at parts of UI development, then I will get specialist books on that or DAL development, and so on..

I, and many others would strongly recommend "Head First Design Patterns" (http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Des.../dp/0596007124) - I think this has a bit of both, it explains each problem by describing feasable business problems and clearly demonstrates how the pattern overcomes them, and the problems/benefits each provide. Definate 5*s from me!

Hopes this gives you some food for thought, if you need anything else please give me a shout!

Rob
The Developing Developer
Currently Working Towards: MCAD C#
My Blog: http://www.robzyc.spaces.live.com
<center>"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal;
nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude".
Thomas Jefferson</center>

Thanks Rob, I'll look into the book you mentioned. From looking at the Amazon page, it looks like the writing style of the Head First book might not put me to sleep!

Sincerely,
Brian

This is true, TBH, when I first opened it, I put it down because I thought "this couldnt possibly be technical enough" - I was wrong, its an excellent writing style and an enjoyable, yet very eye-opening book to read!

HTH,
Rob

Rob
The Developing Developer
Currently Working Towards: MCAD C#
My Blog: http://www.robzyc.spaces.live.com
<center>"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal;
nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude".
Thomas Jefferson</center>

I found this helpful, http://www.ebookee.com/Dissecting-a-...elop_3485.html. I think it's out of print now but you may be able to get a copy via Amazon's sceond hand service. I can't remember now but it's probably .NET 1.1 though.

--

Joe (Microsoft MVP - XML)