Learning C# & ASP.NET

Question

Hi All I'll keep this brief and to the point & I apologize if you get this question all the time. I've been learning C# for the past year and it's going slowly (due to work commitments etc) but my ultimate dream is to one day (in the distant future!!) to become a freelance programmer (at least part time anyway). I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on what's the best way of learning?? I actually signed up for a course for the MCTS starting with microsofts 70-536 exam. The salesman said I'd be okay and it wouldn't take me long. But that was a year ago and I've almost given up on it as it's very advanced. Basically microsoft don't even advise anyone to take it unless they've been doing it for 2 years!! So I decided to teach myself through books/videos etc but don't really have a structured program of learning. Any advice/ideas on what to study would be excellent. I look forward to hearing form anyone on this Many thanks Paul

Mike Gold · Answer

I assume you mean investment in time to get the best job but that's a very tough question to answer. All types of .NET technologies are used in industry and all of them have active need for developers. I would say it also depends on the industry as to which technologies of .NET are used. I can only talk from my local job market and the NY job market. Here is what I'm hearing from recruiters these days: 1) ASP.NET C# HTML Javascript 2) WPF/WCF Sql Server Web Services 3) Sharepoint 4) Cloud Technology Of course these things can easily change with time I also just as often here the need for IPhoneIPad Java and Unix

Jure · Answer

I have a question as well: Which .NET technologies do you think are the best investment in the long run? I know this is a very difficult question to answer but I just want to hear some opinions :)

Mike Gold · Answer

Certification helps but its better to learn by practicing. I would recommend the Troelson book by APress for beginners. Also I would concentrate on the newer technologies such as WPF Silverlight or WCF. It's best to focus on one technology though. IF you decide you want to be a web developer focus on ASP.NET. If you want to do mobile programming learn Windows CE and .NET for mobile or Silverlight. If you want to concentrate on the server side an overlooked but lucrative field then learn WCF Messaging and Distributed Systems SQL Server and Sharepoint. Or you could even just focus on Sharepoint. But don't try to take on the whole world of technologies. Admittedly you should try to get a basic understanding of C# First (possibly LINQ technology). Also I recommend reading Bob Martin's Book Agile Software Development Principles Patterns and Practices http://www.amazon.com/Software-Development-Principles-Patterns-Practices/dp/0135974445 Although it has C# in it it is not specifically about C# but gives you a really good idea on how programming should be approached to do it correctly.

Suthish Nair · Answer

Hi Paul Welcome to C# Corner. My views :-) Me too started of doing MCTS and MCPD but after sometime i observe that Microsoft lanuching new versions of VS and other products. At the same time they also lanuching new certifications courses. That making little confused which one is a valid one or i need to do advance versions etc.. ?. So i drop of doing certifications. Not saying its bad to obtain a certification but go for basics knowledge only. Try learning new stuff so we can update our skills every time. One of my friend love doing Microsoft certifications. You can find the list of Microsoft Certifications: http://download.microsoft.com/documents/rus/education/ita/jumpstart_your_career.pdf Note: Nowdays most companies asking for a Microsoft Certifications for job applications. :-)