C# SQL and XML

davetherave2

davetherave2

davetherave2

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27 Mar 2003
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Some time ago I decided I would get back into programming as I hadn't done any since my uni days. In additional to this I thought I would have a go at getting the MCAD qualification to give me a bit more insight and add it to my CV.

Well after struggling with the MCAD training books I got I decided to get the dummies guide for C# 2005 and SQL which have helped me a lot in understanding many concepts that I couldn't get while I was at Uni. (I finally understand how to do OOP properly now). C# has certainly made it easy.

Well I am no stranger to programming as I have done a lot of VB/C++ and java programming in the past so I found it fairly easy to pick up the language but this has dealt with mainly console based apps rather than web/windowed based apps. So I was just wondering what books out there would help me in the next stages of my learning to build me up to windowed/web based apps and eventually start on my MCAD qualifications?

I would love to start putting together a software porfolio so that I can start showing prospective employers what I am capable of doing.

I would rather have books rather than online material as I find I learn better with the book in my hand rather than on the screen.

Cheers in advance.
 
Learn about the CLR first, then learn about advanced C# stuff. GUIs are easy, but will be seconds of learning if you understand the groundwork first.

The Microsoft-published "CLR Via C#: Applied .NET Framework 2.0 Programming" is supposed to be excellent for getting to grips with the CLR, and Chris Sells's "Windows Forms Programming in C#" is supposed to be great for Windows Forms.
 
Be aware that the MCAD.Net qualification is for the 1.1 framework, not 2.0.

The new exams (MCTS/MCPD) are for the 2.0 framework.

You don't really need to know much about the CLR in order to get MCAD qualified - but it's very useful to know anyway, it just depends what your primary motivation is, the qualification or the knowledge.

I also wouldn't say that MCAD is about programming, it's more about use of the .Net Studio environment and the framework classes - you could probably gain MCAD qualification without having done much coding at all, as long as you understand the framework and its classes.
 
Well I want the knowledge more than the qualifications and I don't see the point in doing a qualification if I don't understand the info and have little experience. As I said I am more interested in putting together a software portfolio and then showcasing my talents.

edit: I wasn't even aware there was some new qualifications but I think I will stick with my plan to get the MCAD and then go for MCPD and decide which route I want to take.
 
Last edited:
davetherave2 said:
Well I want the knowledge more than the qualifications and I don't see the point in doing a qualification if I don't understand the info and have little experience. As I said I am more interested in putting together a software portfolio and then showcasing my talents.

edit: I wasn't even aware there was some new qualifications but I think I will stick with my plan to get the MCAD and then go for MCPD and decide which route I want to take.
Click to expand...

yes but i think the point is that C#2005 uses the .NET 2.0 framework and the qualification you mention is for the 1.1 framework which is significantly different.
 
Well it looks like I can upgrade the MCAD qualification to MCPD/ MCTS which is great and although from what I have seen it takes a few more qualifications to get there I think it will be better for me in the long run.

I'm currently looking at converting one of my applications that I have built in VBA to C# and no doubt with my limited c# experience I will be asking a lot of questions so please bare with me. :D

I'm going to go with a windows based app at the moment simply because my web based skills are not up to scratch at the moment.

So let the fun begin.
 
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