Can anyone recommend a book/set of video/exercises to help me onto the next level with c#

Question

Hi

I've been doing c# for about 12 months now - I'm ok with Classes and Methods and creating Forms to a basic level. I've bought about 4 books which seem to cover the basics failry well.

Now I'm in a bit of a rut as I'm still unsure of how uses Interfaces, Delegates, Regular Expression and something called Design Patterns. Someone recommended me a book called Gang of Four to help me learn about Design Patterns but it seems to be out of print.

Also the Microsoft c# Step by Step looks good but I'm not sure about buying it for some reason. Also the C# In Depth looks good but I'm not sure it will go too deep for me.

Can anyone recommend any references to help me onto the next level with c#.

Also please bear in mind that I'm not a Professsional Developer as yet so I am limited to spending 3 or 4 hours a week learning and refining the skills.

Can anyone give me some good ideas where to go from here please.

Cheers

Matt

Vulpes · Answer

Well Jon Skeet is a world expert on C# and so anything he has to say on the language is worth reading. However C# in Depth is aimed at existing developers who are looking for a deeper knowledge of the language so if I were you I'd stick to more intermediate books for now.

Matt Higgins · Answer

I've also just seen in a c# in a nutshell 3.0 which I can buy for about £3 / $3 which might be a good start :) Whats your opinion of c# in Depth - would you say that this is bit too much for someone like me who can only dedicate an hour or so a day to c# Cheers Matt

Matt Higgins · Answer

Hi Vulpes Thanks again for your help and advice. In a few previous c# books I've noticed that it jumps into how to wire Events at the same time as Delegates. I know the two are quite closely linked. I'll take a look at this one now -its sounds like a good one to purchase. Thanks Matt

Vulpes · Answer

Even if it is a bit pricey I still think that you could do worse than buying this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/C-5-0-Nutshell-Definitive-Reference/dp/1449320104 It has very good sections on delegates and interfaces as well as a whole chapter on regular expressions. It's also very strong on LINQ and threading. One reason why I've always liked the 'Nutshell' books is that there's no waffle - it's all solid info. Admittedly it doesn't cover design patterns though there are a couple of books available which do (though I don't have either): http://www.amazon.com/Design-Patterns-C-Software/dp/0321718933 http://www.amazon.com/3-0-Design-Patterns-Judith-Bishop/dp/059652773X If I had to buy one of these I'd look for a used copy of the second one.