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I'm an experienced programmer (C++, Java, Python, C, Objective-C, and others) and need to take a crash course in C# for my current job.

I've never done any C# programming before though have read a bit about the syntax etc, I'm looking for a guide that quickly introduces advanced topics so I can get a handle on the language and begin hacking ASAP.

Does anyone know of such a book? Amazon and Google are drawing a blank.

Thanks in advance!

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6 Answers

up vote 12 down vote accepted

Jon Skeet's C# in Depth is a great read.

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+1 for bringing up the Skeet. The book is a good suggestion too. – Joel Etherton Feb 28 '11 at 15:11
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-1 : This book is for people already familiar with C#. OP has programming experience, but not C# experience. – Sergio Feb 28 '11 at 15:14
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@Sergio, it takes it from C#1 up to 4, as an experienced programmer, I'm sure @Gaz Davidson will be able to look up basic C# and is looking for something that "quickly introduces advanced topics", from what I've read of it so far, this book will be appropriate. – StuperUser Feb 28 '11 at 15:30
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@StuperUser: I disagree, the book leans a lot on previous C# knowledge which OP doesn't have. – Sergio Feb 28 '11 at 15:33
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This looks like just what I need, thank you. – Gaz Davidson Feb 28 '11 at 15:35
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up vote 5 down vote

As already mentioned, Jon's book is excellent.

Not already mentioned is Essential C# 4.0 by Mark Michaelis.

I always tell people that these two books have good titles. Jon's book really is all about doing a deep dive into the details of C#, and Mark's book is all about teaching you the essentials that you need to know to have a solid understanding.

I can recommend both books unreservedly.

Full disclosure: I was the technical editor of both of them.

You should probably also pick up a copy of the C# 4 annotated specification. It has annotations explaining some of the finer points of language design written by a dozen C# experts, including Jon Skeet, Bill Wagner, and myself.

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up vote 4 down vote

I suggest the C# Pocket Reference by O'Reilly Media. Don't be fooled by its small size. As far as I can tell it covers all important aspects you need to know about C# and goes just a bit further than just giving a shallow explanation.

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That book is great for all C# developers. Sometimes it's quicker than a google search – PSU_Kardi Feb 28 '11 at 15:11
I own the 3.0 reference and aside from just a simple reference it contains quite a bit of text and explanations on most facets of C#. – Htbaa Feb 28 '11 at 15:39
would you mind explaining more on what it does and why do you recommend it as answering the question asked? "Link-only answers" are not quite welcome at Stack Exchange – gnat yesterday
Sure, I updated it. Though not sure why this would be asked 2 years later. – Htbaa 12 hours ago
up vote 1 down vote

I find short books aren't that good for the experience programmer.

Have you looked at: Professional C# 4.0 and .NET 4 (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)

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A personal recomendation - or is it like all the other wrox P-to-P books? – Martin Beckett Feb 28 '11 at 16:50
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I've been reading p2p books for years, and think they are worth the money, so I recommended this. – TeaDrinkingGeek Feb 28 '11 at 17:45
would you mind explaining more on what it does and why do you recommend it as answering the question asked? "Link-only answers" are not quite welcome at Stack Exchange – gnat yesterday
up vote 0 down vote

Take a look at Petzold's "Book Zero": http://www.charlespetzold.com/dotnet/index.html

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Probably followed by Skeet's book – Martin Beckett Feb 28 '11 at 16:51
would you mind explaining more on what it does and why do you recommend it as answering the question asked? "Link-only answers" are not quite welcome at Stack Exchange – gnat 36 mins ago
up vote 0 down vote

Give this one a try (C# for Java Programmers):

http://www.amazon.com/C-Java-Programmers-Harold-Cabrera/dp/193183654X

As an experienced Java developer I used this book and in two days I learned almost everything I needed on C#.

Regards.

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