Member Avatar for free_eagle

Dear forum members,

Could you please let me know from your experience the best avaibable textbooks to learn C# effectively with examples?

I am planning to start to learn C# programming but I have no idea from where to start and which book to read. I have Deitel's books Programming in C# but I don't know if this book is proper for me to start.

I am moving from C programming to C#...

Thanks very much!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by gira

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For and others moving from C to C#: combine a hands‑on starter resource, short projects, and the official documentation. Video courses are useful for the pacing and demos (as suggested), but pair them with a project-driven book so you code while you read. The official C# guide on Microsoft Learn is the definitive, up‑to‑date reference and a great place to follow tutorials as you progress. (learn.microsoft.com)

Three practical, non‑overlapping resources to consider (each fits a different learning style): RB Whitaker’s project‑first guide for lots of exercises and challenges; a “visual” book that uses diagrams, puzzles and games if you learn better by example; and Jon Skeet’s deep dive once you’ve outgrown the basics. For modern cross‑platform and tooling coverage pick a current “C# + .NET” title that matches the .NET version you want to target. (rbwhitaker.gumroad.com) (oreilly.com) (manning.com) (packtpub.com)

A short, practical path:

  1. Install the .NET SDK and an editor (Visual Studio or VS Code).
  2. Build simple console apps to learn syntax and control flow.
  3. Learn classes, properties, interfaces and exception handling.
  4. Study collections, LINQ and async/await.
  5. Ship a small real app (console → library → web or desktop sample).
  6. Add unit tests and source control. Start with small, repeatable projects and increase scope.

Example starter snippet (type this into a console project to see objects + LINQ):

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;

class Person {
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public int Age { get; set; }
}

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        var people = new List<Person> {
            new Person { Name = "Ana", Age = 28 },
            new Person { Name = "Ben", Age = 34 }
        };
        var adults = people.Where(p => p.Age >= 30);
        foreach (var p in adults) Console.WriteLine($"{p.Name} ({p.Age})");
    }
}

Quick tips: pick learning material that matches the .NET/C# edition you want to use, do the exercises (not just read), and keep the official docs bookmarked for language/runtime changes. As implied, a gentle, example‑led start will save frustration later.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for LizR

If I could purswade you off a text box and to a VTM I could point you in the direction of some (in my opinoin) really awsome training videos which are cheap IMHO for the amount of time and fun you will have and how much c# and so on you will learn - as a C coder if you've done c++ the whole OO part is explained very well and it is something you can listen to as well as watch and join in. While the original premise of the VTMs was aimed at XNA - which is a game writing foundation, and its purpose is game based the premises you learn will arm you well for an awful lot of what you may come across in c# apps ..

You can find them at

PS microsoft also have released a number of VTm style training courses - as well as there are a number of online text based tutorials.

Personally I like the wrox c# book as training, and would recommend that if you really want a book book.

Member Avatar for ddanbe

A book I personally liked very much when starting off with C# was :
"Beginning Visual C# 2005 Express Edition From Novice to Professional" by Peter Wright
It is lightly written and easy readable, you are not dropped into the gory details of C# right at once.
Look at www.apress.com for more titles and how to order them(hey I'm not promoting Apress here!)

Member Avatar for LizR

Its been pointed out to me i wasnt awake enough when I replied earlier - I apologise for my major typos as I head textboxes on the brain, and the rest are plain typos and dyslexia.. sorry.

Member Avatar for Poab9200

Hello, I am just learning C# as my first programing language, and I've found Wrox's set of books quite help full. The first book I used to study up on C# was the Professional book of which I recommend. Also look into the Visual C# books as well. Wrox has many of these books available, just google Wrox and It should be the first one their. Hope this helps.

Member Avatar for Jugortha

Thanks for the info

Member Avatar for free_eagle

Thanks everyone for you help.

Member Avatar for gira

hello, I am also learning c#. so please send any information and ext boos in my mail my mail id is

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