[rookie_pl]

Hello!
I am a completely new to programming, and I would like to learn C#. My college gave me really poor materials and I'm looking forward to buy some good books ("Head First C#" and "C# in a Nutshell"). However AFAIK in April MS is going to release new Framework 4.5, C# 5.0 and Visual Studio 2012. Because of that I am totally confused to buy or not books for ~50 £. Driven by frugality I am warmly asking you for advice - shall I wait till new versions will be released OR jumping from 4.0 to 5.0 will be like a one weekend reading changelog with no reason to buy new books.

Thanks in advance!

*Sorry for terrible English

[janne_panne]

Usually language versions aren't that big of a deal. 100% of C# 4.0 still applies in C# 5.0, 5.0 will just add some sugar on top which isn't that to learn if you are just a beginner. Framework update will be more important because it adds some new classes and other stuff.

For example, 4.0 brought us optional parameters. You can easily program without those but they are nice feature to know if you don't like overloading functions.

I'll quote you what the jump from 4.0 to 5.0 will be:

Quote

4.0 to 5.0 will be like a one weekend reading changelog with no reason to buy new books.

Just google "C# 5.0 new features" and that's enough. Also remember to check ".NET 4.5 new features".

But even after saying all this, I would wait. It's nice to have the newest book and until the release you can use resources you find on the Internet to teach yourself. Or go to a library and loan some older book which uses .NET languages to teach programming.

[Sergio Tapia]

You're really new to the language, correct? Then buy Head First C# - in my opinion the best book to learn C# from.

Newer versions of C# will carry some features, but generally features a new programmer wouldn't find use for. (Try explaining why an optional parameter is useful to a new programmer)

Buy Head First C#, read it top to bottom, then I would suggest Jon Skeet's C# book: C# In Depth.

[rookie_pl]

Thanks for answers!

Sergio - could you compare "C# In Depth" and "C# In a Nutshell"? My professor suggests second one and I'm in dilemma now. I have to buy for at least £25 to avoid shipping costs (and HFC# is £24.64 ).

[Sergio Tapia]

C# in Depth = It will give an intermediate to advanced .NET developer a mental sweat. It's an advanced book for someone intimate with C# who wants to get even more of an edge.

C# in a Nutshell isn't really in the same league as C# in Depth.

[RexGrammer]

I totally suggest not to wait for .NET Framework 5. Since it will come out in a very long time. In a couple of years or so.

The next version of .NET Framework is 4.5.

And you definitely shouldn't wait. Not much things change and those that change are easy to grasp.

[eclipsed4utoo]

RexGrammer, the OP was referring to C# 5, which will be coming out with .Net 4.5.

rookie_pl, on 05 February 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

However AFAIK in April MS is going to release new Framework 4.5, C# 5.0 and Visual Studio 2012.

As far as I can tell, there is no release date for .Net 4.5/C# 5. Also, the next version of Visual Studio is version 11, not 2011 and not 2012. Microsoft dropped the year from the product name and is going with the version number instead.

[Curtis Rutland]

But since we've already got CTPs, I'd be willing to guess that we'll see W8+VS11+.NET4.5 some time this year. My guess is Fall.

To add to the original question, I'd agree with the others and say get a book that's good now. No reason to wait, because there's no fundamental change. Seriously, for the level of a beginner, it'll take a long time before the difference between versions is going to be a huge deal to you. Buy "Head First" like suggested, and don't worry about the version number for now.

[rookie_pl]

Thank you all. I ordered HFC# only - I'll decide which book will be my second one after learning some basics.

[bjantho]

Sergio Tapia, on 05 February 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

You're really new to the language, correct? Then buy Head First C# - in my opinion the best book to learn C# from.

Newer versions of C# will carry some features, but generally features a new programmer wouldn't find use for. (Try explaining why an optional parameter is useful to a new programmer)

Buy Head First C#, read it top to bottom, then I would suggest Jon Skeet's C# book: C# In Depth.

I'm going to second this quote, I read Head First C#, then on to Skeet's C#, which I've only really understood %25 of so far, but it is great to look up something here and there when you run into it. For example, I was running into lambdas as parameters for . notation linq queries and had no idea what they were. I was able to look up lambdas, and trace that back to anonymous methods all in the same book, and now have a well rounded understanding of why they're used in that context.

[innuendoreplay]

Don't waste time thinking what version you should learn...start learning 4 or 4.5 if you want. You could start learning the 2.0 and its ok, the language if the most important part for developing, then you should use a more specifics parts (like visual components) related to a framework versions (and trust me, the 2.0 version is very complete). Well, if you wait for 5.0 maybe the 5.5 comes...Good Luck dude.

[RexGrammer]

You know that language changes with the framework too? There is difference between C# 2.0 and C# 4.0.

Example: I think that anonymous methods were introduced in C# 2.0 (I think but I'm not sure). Then you didn't have lambda expressions which are waaay better. So then you would use anonymous methods, now lambda expressions. So it's not exactly the same which language you learn.