Courses (.NET/ C##)

mehuk · 27 Apr 2008 at 19:52

I am looking to learn ASP.NET and C## as quickly as possible, and although i know i can pick up books and self teach (so to speak) i am wondering if there are any courses/qualifications out there that can help.

What i dont want, is to teach myself these skills and then get to interviews without something to backup what i can do (if you see what i mean) i know qualifications count for little compared to experience, i just want to make sure i go about this the right way, get the help and support i need to make it a success.

I have and am googling about to see whats what, but any tips from those in the trade/ in a similar position would be appreciated.

Thanks

lokkers · 27 Apr 2008 at 20:52

It's C# Alan

I am, believe it or not, in a similar situation, but from the opposite end. I've got 2 years C#/SQL developer experience, but coming from a history degree and being self taught, I think I'd struggle to prove my knowledge. I'm therefore thinking of doing initially a MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) in .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications, and then a MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer).

mehuk · 27 Apr 2008 at 23:12

oops - cheers mate

thanks for those tips, definately something i will look up - i am also in the mindset of self teaching to get myself started, to then get some accreditation to back that up

good luck with it! i know i will need it!

Conrad11 · 27 Apr 2008 at 23:18

Highly recommend these free videos, that's how I started learning:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/beginner/default.aspx

....but that's because I am more of a visual learning - not a fan of books.

lokkers · 28 Apr 2008 at 08:22

Definitely second the videos, they're a useful tool for learning visually.

I actually set myself a project to write when I started learning (conveniently my mum was a membership secretary at the time, so I wrote an app for dealing with new and existing memberships). It was very basic to start with, but as my knowledge grew I could write (and rewrite) better code. I look back at it an shudder now, but its an excellent way of cementing some of the skills you'll need.

Grab yourself the Express Edition of the language you want to learn (http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/), and maybe SQL Express if you want to deal with some data access (SQL is an excellent skill to have).