C# Developing question

[Claudia2006]

Hi all, I'd like to know if you can help me with some answers/advice on my situation:

I'm looking to hire a software developer who has used ASP for several years and C++ for 10 years, but never actually used C# - how difficult or easy would it be for him to start coding in C#? How long would be a safe guess of his "learning curve"?

Some background info: He has a great education background (MS and BS degrees in Computer Science from the best Universities in China and US) and has spent 10+ years developing various projects; he is very intelligent.

Thank you very much for your time!

-Claudia

[wildfrog]

I'm looking to hire a software developer who has used ASP for several years and C++ for 10 years, but never actually used C# - how difficult or easy would it be for him to start coding in C#?
What I experienced when moving from 10 year of C++ experience to C# was that it was really easy to learn. The language was simple, clean and IMO very similar to C++. In addition the IDE (Visual Studio) was far better than most C++ IDEs I had previously used - especially for GUI application.

My first 'Hello World' was up in seconds, and my first 'Hello Windows' was up in minutes. So, I don't think it will take him a long time to 'start coding'.

How long would be a safe guess of his "learning curve"?Don't ever ask software developers 'how long would?'. ;) Hopefully his learning curve will constantly point upwards. What I saw was that me and my colleagues did a lot of stupid mistakes. We got the software up and running (almost bug-free) but we used alot of C/C++ techniques during design and when actually writing the code in C#. The result was alot of unnecessary code and poor performance (CPU, memory and somewhat time-to-market). So, learning the language wasn't enough, we also had to to understand and use the .NET Framework.

Now, the Framework is large and it will take some time to learn every corner of it (4 years later and I still discover new things) but the most important stuff was up in matter of days (or weeks).

Maybe reading a typical "C# for C++ Developers"-book would be beneficial.

- petter

[Claudia2006]

Thanks a lot! Would you mind comment on a similar question? I need to hire a developer to develop in SQL 2005, while this same candidate has MySQL experience an some SQL expereince 7-8 years ago. If he is intellgent and hard-working, could I expect him to start developing in SQL 2005 fairly quickly? Thanks!

[Sheesh]

If he has 10 years expierence with C++ I don't think he would have any problems with C# either. I learned VB6 first, then moved to C# and learned it in about 3 days. I was confterable enough with the syntax to start writting programs. Like petter said the framework will take a long time to learn. I'm wondering if he has any expierence with .Net Framework, you might want to ask him.

I know SQL 2000 pretty well, and I had to use mySQL for a program once. It was pretty much the same. I don't know mySQL that well, but it wasnt hard to learn it coming from another SQL language.

It kind of sounds like you want to hire him, or want us to tell you to hire him. If hes got 10 years in C++ and some SQL background he should work out fine if the programming is in his area... don't expect a 'business applicaiton programmer' to start making state-of-the-art computer games. Even in programming there are a lot of areas. I'm really good with business stuff, community software like forums, blogs, cash registers, rental software (for like Rent-A-Center), and creating a employee scheduling program, but if you were to ask me to build you a graphics program like photoshop, or a video game I would have no clue now to even start.

Just make sure his expierence is in areas that you will need him to work in.

[rajneesh]

Claudia, if you are still looking here's a tuppence...

In the last few years I have gone from programming in C++ to VC++ / COM to Java to C#. It is true that all of the languages have similar constructs and are easy to learn if you know one. However there is a BIG shift in mindset going from doing C++ to Strong GUI Based applications.

If this person is going to be part of team or be paired with others who have had previous exposure to Such Event driven UI programming (as Java/VC?VB or Web apps) then go ahead without doubt. However if this is going to be the only person/tech lead in developing this application. I would give it serious thought.
Ending up with a C++(ized) software can take a lot more time and be quite ineffecient.

So if you have some time on your hands ... and this person has reason to stick with you even after picking up new technologies .... Go for It !