OK I know there are tons of posts asking for the best C# books. I know there is a list here (I went through it.) What I want to know is what are the best C# project-based or learn-as-you-go books? Also is there any place I can get these kinds of books dirt cheap even with shipping and tax? So far I have searched Alibris and Amazon, but maybe you know a good place to go?
What do I mean by project-based? Simple. Most C# books are, in my opinion, garbage. Why? Because they exhaustively list each and every thing a beginner needs to know to learn the language, but if the student even manages to finish the book they have no idea where to go next, because they may have the technical knowledge of C# they need and ideas for their programs, but they have little or no instructions as to how to combine C# and their ideas into a piece of functional software. On top of that proper coding techniques are rarely, if ever mentioned. I have a YouTube video from someone who made an entire C# terrain engine, inspired by Morrowind. The amount of time effort and love that went into that must have been phenomenal. But they have quit the project? Why? Because the code is unusable, cluttered and a few other things, can't remember the exact words. Basically it sounds like it would take too long to untangle the mess, it would be quicker to write another engine, which is what they are doing.
I went to college for an AAS-T degree in computer science for 3 years. I failed. Why? Because college is set up, at least in the computer science field, to make you fail. My programming teacher, who was also my counselor, told me this. I went through numerous books, just like the majority of the C# books out there, and when I finally managed to finish one I had no clue how to use the knowledge. If you don't use it, you loose it, and now I am regaining it.
So that's the end of my rant... I'm looking for books that are project-based. This is the primary feature I want. Next up are books that teach you how to construct a program while you learn the language. Not talking about these crappy little example programs used in every other book. Or worse the code-snipped examples unrelated to anything else. Complex stuff built chapter by chapter, piece by piece, so you can see each one and understand how it fits. Finally I'm looking for books that while teaching you C# in a learn-as-you-go manner, they also show you how to properly write your code. That's the third and final desired feature.
I'm especially interested in hearing from folks that have actually used any books they recommend themselves. Get it from the horse's mouth so-to-speak. So please post your suggestions along with just why you made it. Thank you, I really appreciate it!
- DreamBliss
What do I mean by project-based? Simple. Most C# books are, in my opinion, garbage. Why? Because they exhaustively list each and every thing a beginner needs to know to learn the language, but if the student even manages to finish the book they have no idea where to go next, because they may have the technical knowledge of C# they need and ideas for their programs, but they have little or no instructions as to how to combine C# and their ideas into a piece of functional software. On top of that proper coding techniques are rarely, if ever mentioned. I have a YouTube video from someone who made an entire C# terrain engine, inspired by Morrowind. The amount of time effort and love that went into that must have been phenomenal. But they have quit the project? Why? Because the code is unusable, cluttered and a few other things, can't remember the exact words. Basically it sounds like it would take too long to untangle the mess, it would be quicker to write another engine, which is what they are doing.
I went to college for an AAS-T degree in computer science for 3 years. I failed. Why? Because college is set up, at least in the computer science field, to make you fail. My programming teacher, who was also my counselor, told me this. I went through numerous books, just like the majority of the C# books out there, and when I finally managed to finish one I had no clue how to use the knowledge. If you don't use it, you loose it, and now I am regaining it.
So that's the end of my rant... I'm looking for books that are project-based. This is the primary feature I want. Next up are books that teach you how to construct a program while you learn the language. Not talking about these crappy little example programs used in every other book. Or worse the code-snipped examples unrelated to anything else. Complex stuff built chapter by chapter, piece by piece, so you can see each one and understand how it fits. Finally I'm looking for books that while teaching you C# in a learn-as-you-go manner, they also show you how to properly write your code. That's the third and final desired feature.
I'm especially interested in hearing from folks that have actually used any books they recommend themselves. Get it from the horse's mouth so-to-speak. So please post your suggestions along with just why you made it. Thank you, I really appreciate it!
- DreamBliss