Download C# API doc

[Norm]

Hi,
Is there a downloadable C# API doc file? Say a zip file with doc for most of the common C# APIs. I'm on dialup and would like to have a version of the API doc on my PC.
When I did a Search on the forum it found nothing.

Thanks,
Norm

For example. if I wanted to use the class string, where do I go to read the API doc for the string class showing its constructors and methods?

[Norm]

Does the API only come with an IDE or .NET?
Can it be obtained separately?

[TheCPUWizard]

C# is a programming LANGUAGE. The term API does not apply.

C# is controlled by an ECMA specification, which can be downloaded.

C# is NOT specific to Microsoft .NET (although that is the most common implementation).

[Homogenn]

C# is a programming LANGUAGE. The term API does not apply.

C# is controlled by an ECMA specification, which can be downloaded.

C# is NOT specific to Microsoft .NET (although that is the most common implementation).

Indeed.

If you're looking for .NET documentation it comes with Visual Studio (at least professional - but I assume also express edition?).

[foamy]

Indeed.

If you're looking for .NET documentation it comes with Visual Studio (at least professional - but I assume also express edition?).
Yup, it can be installed with the express edition, although it's not mandatory.

[Norm]

Sorry, API is the terminology used by Sun for Java:
"Java 2 Platform API Specification " links one to the documentation for all the classes in Java.
For example:
JavaTM 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 API Specification

"C# is controlled by an ECMA specification, which can be downloaded."

Do you have a link to the site where the doc for the C# classes can be downloaded? For example it would show the usages of the string class including constructors and methods.
I was NOT looking for the .NET documentation.

[TheCPUWizard]

Sorry, API is the terminology used by Sun for Java:
"Java 2 Platform API Specification " links one to the documentation for all the classes in Java.
For example:
JavaTM 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 API Specification

Do you have a link to the site where the doc for the C# classes can be downloaded? For example it would show the usages of the string class including constructors and methods.
I was NOT looking for the .NET documentation.

It is a simple matter to Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ECMA+C%23&aq=f&oq=) (or other search engine) "ECMA C#". Various formats of the specification, some free, some nominal charge.

The reason JAVA is referred to as an API is because it is a virtual machine environment. C# is a true compiled language (NO virtual machines or interpreters involved).

FYI: For all of the standard language features and librariy routines, the ECMA documentation will have the exact same information as the .NET documentation.

[Norm]

Thanks for the link.
I don't know how the output from the compiler (Java vs C#) relates to the definition of the language. There could be a Java compiler that generated the same type of output as C#.

What is the CLI I've read about?

[TheCPUWizard]

Thanks for the link.
I don't know how the output from the compiler (Java vs C#) relates to the definition of the language. There could be a Java compiler that generated the same type of output as C#.

NO..Java compilers must output Java Byte Code. C# contains constructs that can not be represented in JBC.


What is the CLI I've read about?
ECMA-335 (http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-335.htm) This is NOT specific to C#.

[Norm]

Thanks again.
Reading the C# language specs I find the I'm looking for the C# class library documentation.

[TheCPUWizard]

Thanks again.
Reading the C# language specs I find the I'm looking for the C# class library documentation.

Which is "Partition IV" of the specification I just gave you the link for.

Granted that it is the raw definitions (in XML format) and not descriptive text.

The most readable commonly accessible version is the .NET documentation [IMHO] as it is replete with samples, etc.....