This is the 2012 edition of Murach's best-selling C# book on developing Windows Forms applications. Here's what developers have said about earlier editions:
I have to tell you that your C# book is far and away the best resource I have seen to date. It really does do what the learner needs. It is simple, straightforward, presents logical examples, and the two-page format is the best.
With this book, I have quickly moved from being intimidated by C# to making it my language of choice, The fact that this process took me only 3 days should speak volumes about how effective this book is.
I am actually flying through the C# book! And a lot of the topics I had problems with in the past are now making perfect sense.
From a college instructor: I have taught C# from a Murach text. It is the very first text where students have come to me unsolicited to tell me how good the book is.
What makes this book so effective? Here are several things it does that other C# books don't do:
#1: The OOP section deals with business objects, not cats and dogs
Object-oriented programming is the basis for C# 2012. But while other books try to explain it using whimsical examples (like mammals or cars), this book explains it in terms of true business objects, like customers, invoices, and products. So right from the start, you'll see how OOP is applied in the real world.
#2: There's a 4-chapter section on database programming
Business applications require database processing. So instead of glossing over this crucial function in a chapter or two, this book gives you 4 full chapters that show you how to use RAD tools like data sources as well as ADO.NET code to do fairly sophisticated database processing. There's certainly more to learn. But you'll have a solid set of skills that will let you easily prototype typical database applications in business.#3: Complete applications show how all the pieces interact
The key to mastering C# development is to have plenty of real-world examples that show you how the features you're learning interact...and that help you avoid the problems that you can run into as you build complex applications. That's why this book gives you complete applications for everyday business functions (these can be downloaded for free from the Murach web site).
#4: The paired-pages format lets you set your own pace
Murach books have a distinctive format, where each two-page spread presents a single topic: the righthand page provides coding examples, screen shots, syntax, and bulleted guidelines, while the lefthand page provides extra explanation and perscpective. You can read every page...skim or skip material you already know...quickly pinpoint the reference details you need...use the book however it works best for you. To see how this works, you can look at some pages using Amazon's Look Inside feature above or download sample chapters for free from the Murach web site.
