When it comes to C# language, the first thing that we think about is ‘speed.’ It is one of the primary reasons why C# language is widely used for VR, gaming, desktop and mobile apps, websites, and web applications, and much more. C# is a simple to learn and popular software language across the world. It has a vast and vibrant community and books are the best way to master the C# language. Most of the applications written in C# make use of the .NET framework, hence Visual Studio is perfect for IDE.
What is C#?
C#, known as Csharp, is a programming language and uses the .NET framework, this language is quite similar to the Java programming language. It has the same design and interfaces as C & C++. C# provides a wide range of features and services that contribute to the widespread popularity of this language, like:
- C# provides high scalability.
- This language follows the component-oriented & structured approach.
- Delivers better performance.
- C# to follow object-oriented programming concept.
- C# provides automated garbage collection.
Why You Must Learn C# Language?
C# developers and programmers are in huge demand and you can likely make a very good income if you learn this software language. C# is one powerful language used for developing lots of different applications and is in huge demand. It is one amazing language for beginners, this language allows you to focus on algorithms & not on implementation details.
What is very good about C#? Let us check out some top reasons why you must consider learning the C# language.
- The learning curve isn’t very steep as C & C++. C# is considered an object-oriented language developed as the improvement of C language.
- C# language has a long shelf life. Even Microsoft utilizes this language heavily and promises higher prospects of this language. C# language was developed first by Microsoft and still is backed by this company.
- C# is used for various purposes. Improving your C# skills will help you to build the app for Windows OS, and create web applications, API, and websites. C# programming language is used by Xamarin & can allow you to create various mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms using one single codebase.
- Helps to learn game development. Suppose you’re interested in building various games then there are many different reasons for you to learn the C# language. This language can be used by the Unity game engine used for developing Windows device games.
Thus, after getting the complete introduction to C#, it’s time you must check out some top books that you may use to master the C# language.
5 Best C# Books for Beginners
1. C# 10 and .NET 6
Revised extensively to accommodate the latest features of C# 10 & .NET 6, this sixth edition of the comprehensive guide can get you coding with confidence in C#.
You will learn about object-oriented programming, testing, writing, and debugging features, implementing various interfaces as well as inheriting classes. This book covers .NET APIs to perform various tasks such as managing & querying data, improving and monitoring performance and also working with this file system, serialization and async streams. You will deploy and build cross-platform applications, like websites and services by using ASP.NET Core.
Rather than distracting you with some unnecessary apps code, the first 12 chapters teaches you about these language constructs and .NET libraries through simple console apps. In the later chapters, you must have mastered this language basic, and you can build practical apps & services by using ASP.NET Core, Model-View-Controller pattern & Blazor.
Key Features of This Book:
- Explore newest additions with C# 10, .NET 6 library & Entity Framework Core
- Make professional websites or services with .NET Core & Blazor
- Develop cross-platform applications for macOS, Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android
2. The C# Player’s Guide
The C# Player book aims in shaking off the dull, dusty, and dryness of this typical programming book, and replace this with something very flavorful and exciting. The author R B Whitaker perfectly combines humour, a casual tone, and with help of some examples that involve asteroids and dragons rather than bank accounts & employees. And as you learn programming by doing rather than reading, the book has more than 100 hands-on challenges.
This book will help you build software rather than just read it. Just by completing various challenges, you will earn the experience points, and become a True C# Programmer! It is an amazing version of this book that is updated for 10.0, .NET, and VS 2022. Get off your ground fast, with the gentle introduction about Visual Studio, C#, and a step-by-step explanation and walkthrough of how you can make the first C# program.
Key Features of This Book:
- The journey starts by getting you to set up programs in C#.
- Explore basic mechanics: expressions, statements, variables, loops, if statements, and methods.
- Go deep into the powerful & central feature: object-oriented programming is an important tool required for building bigger programs.
- Advanced C# functions that make this language elegant, powerful and unique.
3. Head First C#
Head First C#: 4th Edition is written by Stellman and Jennifer. This is a very useful reference book that offers novice programmers a fun and visual introduction to C#, .NET Core, XAML, and VS. In this amazing book, you are going to learn various topics such as C# fundamental. This helps you create databases, user interfaces, and more.
With the book, you can learn about building a functional game, applying classes and OOP concepts, query data and drawing graphics with LINQ. After that, you will learn how you can use classes & object-oriented programming, build games in Unity & query data in LINQ. You will do this all just by solving various puzzles, doing simple exercises, and developing real-world apps. Once you are done, you will be a strong C# programmer–and you will have a good time along your way!
Key Features of This Book:
- You will enjoy a visually rich format and engage your mind instead of a text-heavy approach
- This multisensory learning is made for your brain to work in the right direction.
4. C# 10 in a Nutshell
Amazing material for an intermediate and an advanced C# programmer, the book offers brief coverage of the advanced & complex topics. The approach of this book is quite elegant, as the author begins with an overall view and goes a bit deeper as every chapter proceeds. This book is an ideal mix of conceptual understanding & practical apps through various use cases. Although it’s intended for intermediate learners, you must be really good to go in case you have a little programming knowledge.
Key Features of This Book:
- Clear and concise, with no verbosity, each line is filled with knowledge and meaning.
- Take a little time to read –this is a completely technical and amazing reference.
- Complete coverage of the core concepts & popular technologies such as WPF and UWP.
- Covers various topics like regular—expressions, serialization, COM interoperability, native DLLs, and more than other books don’t cover.
- The author begins from its first version & explains every new version’s features ad improvements, giving complete history & comparison.
5. Murach’s C#
Murach’s C# is a wonderful book written by Boehm. It is the self-paced C# book that shows you how to make use of Visual Studio 2015, the .NET 4.6 and C# 6.0 classes for building Windows Forms apps. This book helps you learn how to use the business classes, interfaces, and inheritance the way they are used in the real world. At an end of the reference book, you can develop three-tiered and object-oriented Forms.
Key Features of This Book:
- This book offers practical examples to relate to when doing some real-time projects.
- Content is clear and concise, and simple to understand.
- The author has a good teaching style and is well-organized.
- A good guide for reference and self-study.
- Covers basic OOP concepts and builds professional applications.
- The author offers useful tips & explains concepts through pictures throughout these chapters.
Final Words
Combining the top C# books with tutorials, videos, and articles, you can get a great path to understanding C# Language. Since C# is a leading programming language out there in the industry today, there’s no scarcity of books written on high-level and general-purpose software language. Whereas some books give you a complete overview of different C# concepts, the listed C# books will go in-depth on every C# Topic.
Besides the given list of C# books, there are many C# books available online. And being a beginner, you may get a little confused about finding the best book to begin learning C#. I hope this list of C# books based on the experience of C# Learners & Developers help you learn this language. Suppose you have not put together the reading list yet, we can help you with many more choices of best C# books for learners.