A Request for a C# Mentor

[heavyone]

I just started working as a .NET developer about a month ago having had programming experience in several other languages (Java, VB.NET, etc.). The problem is that I have no formal training in C# and I need some guidance from an experienced programmer who can show me the ins and outs, tips and tricks, and mainly how to understand what code is doing in certain instances. If there is anyone who would be willing to help me like this, I would do all that I can to make sure that your time is not wasted on me. I am a bright guy (I think) and would definitely be appreciative for any advice, help or assistance anyone can give. I like programming a lot, I am just stumbling a little bit trying to learn C#.

[nelo]

Hey heavyone,

Given what you already know I don't see any reason why you can't proficient in C# in no time. You already have a good grounding in object oriented programming (my assumption based on the programming languages you already know...). Most people on this forum know a thing or too about C#and will be willing to help with specific questions, problems or issues. I'm certainly NOT volunteering to be your mentor mainly because I don't think you need one...Do you not have any colleagues that are more experienced than yourself? That would be a good start. Otherwise get yourself a book or read through MSDN. You basically want to grasp the language fundamentals (syntax, constructs, etc). Then you want to look at the .NET Framework. But I guess you probably know a lot about the Framework through VB.NET. The Framework is vast so you just take in chunks that are of particular interest to you. Other than that just start programming....

[heavyone]

Thanks for the reply. I think mainly is that my grasp of C# is not coming as quick as it did with Java and VB.NET. Plus this is my first programming job in a production environment, and though I can read the code, if I have to modify it or add to it, I get a little lost. I am reading a Wrox C# 2008 manual, and even with the coding exercises in the book, I sometimes struggle through what should come next when doing them.

[nelo]

Relax...it's called the learning curve... Things tend to be a bit more involved when you move to a professional environment. How much experience in Java do you have? I've not done any VB.NET so can't really say much about that. Trust me, the people who employed you know that it will take you some time for you to become familiar not only with the language but also with their codebase. So give yourself some rope and go through the C# book. Don't be shy of asking questions if what you see in the codebase doensn't match what's in the book. Also bear in mind that if that is a typical manual it may not have complex scenarios as they are trying to get you to focus on the concepts. If you can understand the concept you general programming experience should help you deal with the complexity of the implementation in the codebase you're working with.

[eclipsed4utoo]

You have knowledge of Java(syntax is almost the same as C#) and you have knowledge in VB.Net so you know the .Net framework, so you should be able to get up to speed fairly quickly.

What problems are you having?