What to know?

I'm beginning classes this autumn to become a full fledged C#/Java programmer =). I'm not too sure about how deep we will dig into the languages, as I've come to understand it you get to know the synthax base and then you learn by doing.

What I would like to know is the following things concerning learning C# as a profession:

1. Are there classes amongst C# programmers?
2. When working with C#, is it common you should also know Java?
3. Is it common to work with anything else than VS(.NET)?
4. Is it true you get to annoy VB.NET programmers?
5. What are the most important things to know before you get your first job as a C# programmer.
6. Is it expected that you know ASP.NET when you know C#?

I assume alot of people here are employed as C# programmers and I would really like some feedback on what to expect when learning C# and where it leads me.

I am a C# software developer, and have been for 4 years now. I have never once done ASP.Net other than in school 5 years ago and that was in VB. As far as knowing Java, you do not need to know it, but you should learn it because the syntax is close. As far as getting a Job, Design Design, Design. You should know the basics about development, as well, like: Operators, Conditionals, Loops, Inheritance and Polymorphism, would be good things to learn

I ussed to work in computer lab at school and there were students asking me about C# homeworks although I was not good myself, but I found out they missout the whole concept of object oriented so I think it's best if you can learn from the basic like C,C++ so when come to C#, you have a better big picture of what is going on. And of course those students who came to ask me end up retaking course. Therefor you have to really realy work hard and asking alot of questions.

Goodluck.

This post has been edited by skyHigh: 22 Aug, 2008 - 02:48 PM

For 1, 3, and 6. First, C# is a language, it doesn't define the platform. You can expect to use C# for WinForms type applications and ASP.NET applications. Basically, this defines the User Interface. Web and client apps vary significantly in how they process user interactions. However, the inner workings of C#, the processing layer, should be the same. Which leads to 5.

I'd say the most important thing you should know, beyond the fundamentals, OOP concepts, etc, is database interaction. In any but the most minor enterprise applications a database will come into play. Understanding how ADO.NET handles this is required. DataSets are one of the most useful of Microsoft's design patterns. Don't try to reinvent the wheel, understand the data access layer of .NET.

As to annoying VB.NET programmers, I'd say the reverse is more common. VB.NET has a quirky syntax, being the bastard child of classic VB and the .NET framework. Neither were really meant to be together and the transition from one to the other is so kludgy that VB.NET should have a completely different name. I will mock VB.NET programmers, but only because they pretty much asked for it.

You are not likely to need to work with Java if you get a job in C#. However as zakary pointed out the languages are fairly close so you might find it easy to learn it as well.

Visual Studio is very common (and powerful) IDE but there are many other useful programming development environments as well eg: Sharp Develop springs to mind. You don't even need these to program, but they make things a hang of a lot easier.

Contrary to what skyhigh says, C# is a true object oriented language, so learning the basics of this is a good place to start.

You don't have to know ASP.net but it really isn't all that difficult and you'll probably find you will want to know a bit about that too (especially if you want to do any web development)

Which is better to have Java or C#?

This post has been edited by gbertoli3: 24 Aug, 2008 - 10:39 AM

Well, there really is no answer to that question.
You can have endless debate over which is better. The fact is they are both powerful and will be used to accomplish differing goals. One is driven by Microsoft and the other is more open-source.

Having database skills is a big plus, especially if you want to do dedicated windows development. Being able to manage all parts of a product sets you apart from someone who can only code.

Will .NET be usefull on other platforms than Windows? I know of the Mono project, but does it look like it will be able to compete with Java when it comes to range?