Last Update: 5/28/2003
Below are a number of C# and .NET resources I find useful. I've tried
to categorize things in a way that is useful. I've also added comments
to many of the resources so you get an idea of what's there without
having to actually go.
Featured Site
CodeSmith
This has got to be the coolest .NET tool I've seen yet. It's particularly
useful if you're doing any sort of database work, but it's also useful for
any sort of repetitive programming tasks. It allows you to build code from
templates (at design time, not runtime, like C++). The template language
is based on ASP syntax and is quite powerful. CodeSmith itself is extensible
through objects that support design-time properties. The project is still
very young, but has great potential. If you're doing .NET programming, you
really shouldn't be without this amazing tool.
Articles and Samples
The Code Project
I love the Code Project site. They have excellent articles and the articles
are rated by the users. Not always as professional as one might get from
a magazine, and some are very short, but it's one of the most useful sites
I've found for figuring out how to do stuff. Check the navigation bar on the
left for the various C# resources.
Code Guru
Similar to The Code Project, but generally the articles aren't quite as
good as the ones on The Code Project. It's no uncommon to have an overlap
in articles between the two as well. Still, a good resource worth having.
C# Corner
Again, similar to The Code Project, but quality generally not as good. The
quality varies dramatically, actually. There are a few really good articles
to be found, so worth checking out.
DevX
Some quality articles, but some of the better ones require a paid
membership. I'm against anyone making money, unless it's me :-) The site
has a number of other resources worth looking into as well, though.
C# Today
Great articles. Only problem is that they're either going out of business
or they're going to a pay to play format. Either way sucks.
Sells Brothers
If Chris Sells has a brother, I don't think I've ever seen him mentioned
on the Site. Chris is a .NET guru and has some excellent tools and general
.NET information available. I highly recommend checking his site out.
Jon Skeet's C# Page
If you spend anytime on the microsoft.public.dotnet.languages.csharp newsgroup,
then you've undoubtedly come across Jon's many postings. He's been there to help
me on more than one occasion. His page has some interesting articles about various
C# topics. Good for beginners and more advanced programmers.
George Shepherd's Windows Forms FAQ
This is a great list of questions and answers, primarily about WinForms and
WinForm controls, however it does drift into a few other topics. It's a great source
of information and I highly recommend it.
Tools
Sells Brothers
And additional mention simply 'cause the tools section has some cool
stuff that you should add to your arsenal. The type safe collection generator
is great (though the C# code generator creates code that produces benign warnings
and doesn't follow the MS recommended style guidelines), but if you can ignore
that like I do, then I think you'll find the tool very useful.
SyncFusion Essential Suite
First, a disclaimer: I do beta testing for this company's products. I don't
recommend a lot of commercial tools, but this is a really amazing component
suite for .NET. They have the most powerful and extensible grid component I've
ever come across. Their other components are pretty amazing too. And for a small
bit extra (10-20%), you get source code (which I highly recommend). Their
technical support is fantastic. Very smart people who really know the components!
If you're looking for a component suite, this one deserves a good look.
Help!!!
Google Groups
Google Groups has the usenet archive for the microsoft.public.dotnet.*
series of newsgroups. Any time I have a question, I do a search here. 9 times
out of 10, I get the answer by a search within the groups. Great resource.
