It is no exaggeration to describe the C# language and its associated environment, the .NET Framework, as the most important new technology for developers in many years. .NET provides a new environment within which you can develop almost any Windows-based or web-based application, while C# is a new programming language designed specifically to work with .NET.

What does this book cover?

This book is the ideal introduction to the C# language and the .NET Framework, and will become an indispensable companion for any user of C# and .NET. With this book, you learn the key concepts of the C# language, and then progress onto a complete exploration of programming the .NET Framework with C#. Topics covered include the following:

• How to program in the object-oriented C# language



• Writing Windows applications and Windows services



• Writing web pages and web services with ASP.NET



• Manipulating XML using C#



• Understanding .NET Assemblies



• Using ADO.NET to access databases



• Integration with COM, COM+, and Active Directory



• Distributed applications with .NET Remoting



• Generating graphics using C#



• Accessing files and the Registry, and controlling .NET security