C# for Beginners | Full 2-hour course

4 min read 8 months ago
Published on Aug 31, 2024 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to C#, a powerful programming language used for various applications like web development, game creation, mobile apps, and more. By the end of this tutorial, you'll understand the basics of C# and how to build a simple bank account application. Follow along with the provided resources to enhance your learning experience.

Step 1: Understanding C#

  • C# (pronounced "C sharp") is an object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft.
  • It is widely used in the .NET framework to build various types of applications.
  • Key features include strong typing, garbage collection, and support for asynchronous programming.

Step 2: Writing Your First Program

  • Start with the classic “Hello World” program.
  • Code example:
    using System;
    
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
        }
    }
    
  • This program prints "Hello, World!" to the console.

Step 3: Exploring Strings

  • Strings are sequences of characters.
  • You can manipulate strings using various methods.
  • Example of string declaration and basic operations:
    string message = "Welcome to C#";
    Console.WriteLine(message.Length); // Outputs the length of the string
    

Step 4: Searching Strings

  • Use methods like Contains, IndexOf, and Substring to search through strings.
  • Example:
    string text = "Hello, C# World";
    bool containsCSharp = text.Contains("C#"); // returns true
    

Step 5: Working with Numbers

  • Understand different data types: integers, floats, and decimals.
  • Mathematical operations can be performed using standard operators.
  • Example of integer math:
    int a = 5;
    int b = 10;
    int sum = a + b; // sum is 15
    

Step 6: Understanding Branching

  • Use if statements to execute code based on conditions.
  • Example:
    if (a > b)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("a is greater than b");
    }
    else
    {
        Console.WriteLine("a is not greater than b");
    }
    

Step 7: Learning About Loops

  • Loops allow you to execute a block of code multiple times.
  • Common types include for, while, and foreach loops.
  • Example of a for loop:
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
    {
        Console.WriteLine(i);
    }
    

Step 8: Combining Branches and Loops

  • You can nest loops and conditional statements to create more complex logic.
  • Example:
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
    {
        if (i % 2 == 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(i + " is even");
        }
    }
    

Step 9: Working with Arrays and Collections

  • Arrays hold fixed-size, ordered collections of items.
  • Lists are dynamic collections that can grow as needed.
  • Example of an array:
    int[] numbers = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
    

Step 10: Debugging Your Code

  • Learn how to identify and fix errors in your code.
  • Use debugging tools in your development environment to step through code execution.

Step 11: Understanding Object-Oriented Programming

  • C# is object-oriented, meaning it uses objects and classes to structure code.
  • Define classes to create templates for objects.
  • Example of a class:
    public class BankAccount
    {
        public string AccountHolder { get; set; }
        public double Balance { get; set; }
    }
    

Step 12: Creating Methods and Handling Exceptions

  • Methods are reusable blocks of code that perform specific tasks.
  • Handle exceptions using try-catch blocks.
  • Example:
    try
    {
        // Code that may throw an exception
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("An error occurred: " + ex.Message);
    }
    

Conclusion

You have now covered the basics of C#, from writing your first program to understanding object-oriented principles and exception handling. As a next step, consider building a simple application, such as a bank account manager, using the concepts learned in this tutorial. Explore further resources and practice coding to solidify your understanding of C#. Happy coding!