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Book Review: C# in Depth

October 20, 2008

C#inDepth

I just finished reading C# in Depth: What you need to master C# 2 and 3. Although the book is only 358 pages, it's title is certainly not exaggerated. It feels like I've read a 1000 page book. Jon Skeet has done a good job covering C# 2.0 and C#3.0, evolving the different language enhancements starting from C# 1.1.

I must admit that I've been quite passive when it comes to the new language features in C# 3.0 and especially when it comes to LINQ. I tried to avoid the hype as long as possible. Now that C# 3.0 has gone RTM for quite some time now and the dust has settled (before getting blown up again on the PDC next week), I decided to learn more about the language features in C# 3.0. That's the reason why I bought the book.

The first part covers C# 2.0, which had very little surprises. The last part covers the C# 3.0 language features (lambda expressions, expression trees, extension methods, etc. ...) and provides a concise introduction to LINQ.

The thing I appreciated the most while reading the book was the amount of detail provided about what the compiler does behind the scene. I am glad that I've learned what all the fuss is about so that I can finally start using some of the useful language extensions provided by the C# 3.0 compiler.

I guess this book is the best C# reference money can buy at the moment. If you want to have an in-depth knowledge of C#, then it's certainly no disappointment.

If you and your team want to learn more about how to write maintainable unit tests and get the most out of TDD practices, make sure to have look at our trainings and workshops or check out the books section. Feel free to reach out at infonull@nullprincipal-itnull.be.

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Jan Van Ryswyck

Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m a professional software developer since Y2K. A blogger since Y2K+5. Provider of training and coaching in XP practices. Curator of the Awesome Talks list. Past organizer of the European Virtual ALT.NET meetings. Thinking and learning about all kinds of technologies since forever.

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Thank you for visiting my website. I’m a professional software developer since Y2K. A blogger since Y2K+5. Author of Writing Maintainable Unit Tests. Provider of training and coaching in XP practices. Curator of the Awesome Talks list. Thinking and learning about all kinds of technologies since forever.

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