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Hi guys, now I know this is a BIG request, but I was hoping someone might be interested in helping me begin to learn the different aspects of programming.
Now I know I cant just "hop on the band waggon" I need lots of training before hand in different programing languages, but the one I really want to understand is c# (thats what most windows mobile apps are built on right?)
So are there any really good recomended beginners guide you guys could suggest to me to get me started.
Sorry I must sound like I dont have a clue xD
(well I dont)
Thanks in advance
Hop on the band waggon? I guess you'd rather have to jump in cold water!
I suggest buy a book. If you actually spend the money on it then it's bigger motivation to make something out of it. There's even a book about Windows Mobile .NET programming. What else could you ask for? I don't have the link at hand but you should easily find it on Amazon.
RAMMANN said:
Hop on the band waggon? I guess you'd rather have to jump in cold water!
I suggest buy a book. If you actually spend the money on it then it's bigger motivation to make something out of it. There's even a book about Windows Mobile .NET programming. What else could you ask for? I don't have the link at hand but you should easily find it on Amazon.
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Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the speedy response,
are you refering to this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Programming...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264201954&sr=8-1
It looks pretty nice, and will it teach me the basics?
yes, for example. or this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft®-NET-Compact-Framework-Reference/dp/0735617252/ref=pd_sim_b_5
If you are really looking to learn programming, I would suggest against starting with Windows Mobile development. .NET framework for Windows Mobile is very lacking, and in order to do even simplest things you end up using Interops (way of calling native libraries written in C++) or searching/writing libraries on your own.
.NET (and C# by extension) is a multi-platform framework. Start with simple Windows or Web development. Read up on OOP development, find some simple examples online and start a very small, easy to write project.
Once you can write some simple applications for Windows or Web, then you might want to start looking into Windows Mobile development.
Before you start spending money on books try Microsoft's Beginner Developer Learning Centre a go. There are lots of video tutorials which will help you get the basics down http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/dd435692.aspx.
It's not specifically for windows mobile development, but most of what you will learn is transferable.
Once on the website, click "Windows Track" and then "Tier 1", tutorials are available for both C# and VB.NET.
The guy that made the BDLC tutorials for Microsoft also runs http://www.learnvisualstudio.net/, there are a few more free tutorials there too on more advanced topics, a subscription to the site will let you get all the videos.
And look for open source applications like "ReRemind", "Freda" or "RemoteTracker". If you debug these you can learn alot.
ajhvdb said:
And look for open source applications like ... "Freda" ... If you debug these you can learn alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No No No please don't use Freda as an educational example It's the first .NetCF app I wrote and I really am not very proud of some parts of it. In particular, I only figured out the right pattern to use for 'settings' forms after I had written several already. Some day I will go back and tidy up the code and document it properly. But right now I am still adding features ...
Jim
dont worry, if i look at my old code it's bad too but still works
I'm trying to gauge interest in developing manila/sense tabs, I'm looking for:
1. people interested in working on the facebook tab
2. people who want to make other tabs
3. people who are app developers who want to tie into tabs
4. we also need some people comfortable doing window apps
(I think we need help getting started with the Manila Kitchen GUI tools - currently command-line). There is plenty of guys who have worked on the tools and know tons about manila, just need a framework in which to tie into.
Please state if you are expert or beginner or willing to learn.
I think in most areas, support can be given to most to get them started (even if it's not your area of expertise) and will probably prove a good learning experience.
Now, just need to work out how to make this a poll...
OK, you can select more than one option at time:
- Expert can be considered Expert/Intermediate skill, i.e. you've made something and it works quite well.
- Beginner would be someone who has done small tweeks or done simple programs.
Ahh, forgot window app developers, in this case, register your interest (if you are), in the TouchFLO/Manila/SenseUI social group (a great bunch of guys who helped me from knowing nothing about sense):
Project: Manila GUI Kitchen Environment.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=223
Links are not working for me :/
I'd be interested in working on a Phone tab. something that included not only a call history, but some dynamic icons that showed (at the very least):
Missed calls.
Voice mail.
SMS/MMS
Email
It's amazing to me that this was on earlier versions of Manila/TF3D but isn't on the newer versions. This entire concept was supposed to be designed for a pda/PHONE converged device, but the phone side of it has been weakened on every upgrade.
AdamiX said:
Links are not working for me :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll ask the group admin about it, perhaps you have to join as a member first...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/group.php?groupid=131
Trident said:
I'd be interested in working on a Phone tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can point you in the right direction if you need it, my method for working with manila at the moment, is decompile everything and then use a good search tool to find the kind of code I need. Seems to work quite well and you can find some interesting functions/features, I've also found using the registry is quite handy for experimenting since you can test out calling different apps with different arguments and also jumps to sense pages (which are internal URLs). Also it can give you a view of values which are being used internally.
So far getting interesting results on the poll!
Looks like a good mix of people which is great!
1. Those interested in taking the facebook tab further, I'm just working on a few bits at the moment for it (trying to tie in the last bits of HTC function), but will happily pass it on when people want me to. [I released it much sooner than I planned, but felt mean waiting any longer]
2. Those interested in learning about manila then have a look through my tutorials and that will hopefully get you started (I was a total beginner too when I started them). Please let me know if there are bits missing or bits which don't make sense etc, it's aimed at people who have done a little programming or at least get the general idea. If it's not clear enough then an entry level tutorial would be welcome (I've avoided too much click here, type this type detail because there is too much to explain in one go).
(leave feedback on the tutorial thread)
3. Those interested in developing manila and wm apps for using tabs, I'm hoping to build a "Custom Manila Interface Tab" which will ultimately provide an API type interface for apps. Will probably need a lot of work, so once I've done a basic proof of the concept, which will be very simple and populated via registry keys (i.e. simple list display which can be populated via a normal app) I will then open it up for group development.
4. Those interested in WM app development, hopefully with the new tab it will be easy to get started with some basic ideas and try them out. As the new tab (or it can be used as a sub-page) develops we will need to know what kinds of things we want to display.
i.e. for the facebook tab I can see this being used as a simple way for a external app to list notifications, comments and all kinds of information.
5. Windows application development, let me know if you can get on the group, I really hope that once given a framework a GUI can be put together. The mode9Editor is an excellent example (I think the author is on the group) and the CMD line kitchen is another amazing tool which brought together all the other fantastic tools (again I think most the original authors are there). Given a good start with a solid base, the GUI could become a very powerful tool!
-------
Developing wm is much easier than working with the manila files, and even HTC tend to tie into dlls/exes quite often to do the leg work, but it doesn't appear to be consistent (each module does things slightly differently) so a direct API would be a massive task. So hopefully an interface tab will bridge the gap, it'll probably provide a good point of reference for useful manila functions too. With the addition of a good GUI editor, I'll look forward to having fun making some really amazing apps (no not a fart selector app...).
Great thread meltwater, you may end up being the driving force of a whole new Manila experience
smeddy said:
Great thread meltwater, you may end up being the driving force of a whole new Manila experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the guys before me have been that (would have been no hope without the tools), but hopefully we've got some interesting ideas on the table!
Excellent results on the poll.
Here is an update of what's currently happening:
1. Facebook Tab
I'm currently continuing development on the tab myself, since it is still providing me with useful knowledge on working with manila. It serves as a good driving force for me to try out more stuff.
[MOD][SENSE2.5TAB] Basic Facebook Tab - Developer Thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=663494
2. Custom Manila Interface Tab
I should be able to start work on this once I've learnt enough from doing the changes on the facebook tab. Currently my understanding of manila isn't quite good enough to tackle this yet, it's a big job particularly when the manila code isn't that easy to work with when there is no api.
The concept here is to make a basic tab where the content can be defined by a normal windows mobile app. This should allow many more tabs to be created, without specialist knowledge of manila code.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Something similar to this, but populated by an external app.
3. Manila/Sense Kitchen GUI
The group still needs someone to help kick off the project with some help in building the basic framework for the application. I really hope that this can be achieved, moving the whole process into a graphical app will really help with dealing with the difficult editing of the manila files particularly when defining the graphical components.
Please feel free to give feedback on what you think about my plans. Also if you want to get started on some simple(ish) stuff, there's bits in my tutorials etc.
Ok, trying to get a working development environment for windows mobile, is quite difficult if you don't have a full copy of Visual Studio. For now I will use a trial version, but after I'll post/link to tutorials on how to do it without Visual Studio and some initial steps for Windows Mobile development.
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/mobile/WiMoSansVS.aspx Is a good starting point...
Hi everyone,
Thanks for filling in the poll. There are plenty on here who would like to know how to get started etc with manila, windows mobile development etc.
Short of writing a "how to" which covers everything, which I don't have time to do at the moment, what do people need/want to know to get them started???
This thread can be a simple Q&A section if people need help with the initial steps...
I would love to help but I have too much going on for now :/
This thread may not get noticed but since I started it to talk about and get developer interests I will post here anyway.
Since I've released the latest version of the facebook tab I have started work on my 2nd Tab Project. (Still developing the facebook tab v2.0 too).
The new tab will work along the same lines as Custom Manila Interface Tab concept but for now I have a specific application in mind. Hopefully we can keep this one open and the basis of the tab can be extended and reused to form other tabs working on the same principles.
So what do I need?
Well I have the very basics of the tab working, so I need some windows mobile developers to assist with creating a supporting app which will feed the data to the tab. They will need to handle xml data and potentially HTTP GET requests (I guess), we can go as fast or as slow with it depending on the developer(s) (I've got some ideas on how to start off slowly just like I did with the facebook tab, so beginners would be able to do it, they just need time and willingness to learn). I might start writing it myself but my time is limited and it would be nice to have this tab open to everyone (unfortunately I get too attached to my code/ideas when I've been working on them too long so want to avoid getting in too deep with that part - that is what happened with the FbTab).
What is it?
Not quite ready to announce what the tab will be but I've carefully chosen a good project.
What now?
PM or post here and I'll get back to you.
I'm not sure yet how this will work, but probably create a google code project so that anyone can contribute. Will create a developer thread for the project and once things are up and running a release thread to handle the releases/support etc.
Ideally, this project will be open as possible and allow new developers to have a go. There is plenty which can be done, by all ranges of skill levels. It would be excellent to have a wiki attached to the project which explains how it is put together etc, would be great to provide a stepping stone for future developers to get working with windows mobile and sense.
Also need suggestions on where to host the project, GoogleCode, CodePlex etc require change management software which I'd like to avoid. Perhaps something like 4shared maybe or dropbox?
wow
wow very good.
New to Winmo developement, but willing to seriously learn
meltwater,
I am new to the Winmo developement, but am taking it up in a serious manner. I am willing to take on new tasks with some support. I have the full version of Visual Studio 2010 and can allocate alot of time currently to any projects that you are looking for. Again, I would need to have some support, or be pointed in the right direction, but am very willing to assist. I will do what research I can and ramp up to begin as soon as possible.
One note..I am currently enrolled in school for programming, part of the cloud of programmers that work with Microsoft through VS 2010, and am working to become more proficiant with the WinMo SDK.
Can I help?
Mxdadevolper said:
meltwater,
I am new to the Winmo developement, but am taking it up in a serious manner. I am willing to take on new tasks with some support. I have the full version of Visual Studio 2010 and can allocate alot of time currently to any projects that you are looking for. Again, I would need to have some support, or be pointed in the right direction, but am very willing to assist. I will do what research I can and ramp up to begin as soon as possible.
One note..I am currently enrolled in school for programming, part of the cloud of programmers that work with Microsoft through VS 2010, and am working to become more proficiant with the WinMo SDK.
Can I help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds perfect, just the sort of thing I'm after.
I'm no where near being expert anyway, as I've mentioned a few times, the facebook tab is my 2nd windows mobile app, the 1st being "hello worlde", however I've learned tons doing it and I think it's not too bad (a lot of it is still unreleased). I have a long background in embedded software though.
One thing, visual studio 2010 is no good for windows mobile development, it only supports windows phone 7 not windows mobile (MS killing WM dev much?). Fortunately you might be able to get a FREE student licence via MS Dreamspark, although sounds like they might be able to provide what you need. The work I am doing is in C#.
I put together a little of the support code for the tab last night and the concept appears to work fine. I'll start up a project thread soon, still trying to work out what is the best place to hold/manage the code, want to avoid change management systems:
I don't want to install extra software to handle it
It creates an extra barrier to people having a try
This means codeplex, sourceforge and gogglecode aren't suitable. At the moment 4shared seems like a good choice (simple online storage area) or DropBox which I also use (which could be easiest).
Opened up the developer thread, project details will come soon.
meltwater said:
That sounds perfect, just the sort of thing I'm after.
I'm no where near being expert anyway, as I've mentioned a few times, the facebook tab is my 2nd windows mobile app, the 1st being "hello worlde", however I've learned tons doing it and I think it's not too bad (a lot of it is still unreleased). I have a long background in embedded software though.
One thing, visual studio 2010 is no good for windows mobile development, it only supports windows phone 7 not windows mobile (MS killing WM dev much?). Fortunately you might be able to get a FREE student licence via MS Dreamspark, although sounds like they might be able to provide what you need. The work I am doing is in C#.
I put together a little of the support code for the tab last night and the concept appears to work fine. I'll start up a project thread soon, still trying to work out what is the best place to hold/manage the code, want to avoid change management systems:
I don't want to install extra software to handle it
It creates an extra barrier to people having a try
This means codeplex, sourceforge and gogglecode aren't suitable. At the moment 4shared seems like a good choice (simple online storage area) or DropBox which I also use (which could be easiest).
Opened up the developer thread, project details will come soon.
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Click to collapse
Sounds Great!! I'll be looking for the thread and details. I also have been working in C#, so I think that we'll learn alot together.
Count me in... can supplement SenseSDK if needed!
Ed
eboelzner said:
Count me in... can supplement SenseSDK if needed!
Ed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully a lot of the new tab will be within sense itself with a hidden support app to drive it, although later on it will probably use the SDK for configuring and managing things. Although that is only a rough idea at the moment. (will send you some details - will update the dev thread tomorrow and announce the project).
However, the facebook tab v2.0 is attempting to make extensive use of your sense SDK and greenhacks extended controls. I've currently pushed my ability to the limit with the interface though, hopefully when greenhack releases the latest extended controls I can fill in some of the missing holes. Still experimenting with the GUI aspects and possible concepts for how it should work. Will have think about the GUI again, there are a few areas which I've not quite been able to do what I was aiming for, which the Sense SDK might be modded to achieve.
I'm kinda aware though that a lot of the effort to implement the features for the facebook tab v2.0 will already be done by the Xda Facebook app being produced (so eventually we may tie it in to the tab after v2.0). The new project will hopefully help me expand what I can do with sense and allow better integration of apps.
New RSS Tab project is GO GO GO
[MOD][SENSE2.5TAB] RSSTab - Developer Thread
Thread has all the files ready to go, just not sure what people are waiting for...is it that scary?
Really?
meltwater said:
Also need suggestions on where to host the project, GoogleCode, CodePlex etc require change management software which I'd like to avoid. Perhaps something like 4shared maybe or dropbox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why on earth would you want to avoid Source-code Version Control? SVN, GIT, and even CVS are an absolute God-send to any development group. i can see one or two pro's to avoiding it if you're the only developer on the team, but any more than 1 dev contributing code to a project turns it into a nightmare without a SVC ...
phalacee said:
Why on earth would you want to avoid Source-code Version Control? SVN, GIT, and even CVS are an absolute God-send to any development group. i can see one or two pro's to avoiding it if you're the only developer on the team, but any more than 1 dev contributing code to a project turns it into a nightmare without a SVC ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well can't that be handled by a decent web-based on which does it on the server side?
I know you are totally right, version control is very important (I've used many on a professional basis), but do I really need to force all the developers (and myself) to install full SVN programs?
I was hoping there would be a web based version control system which allows you to check in/out files purely using a web browser.
Any suggestions would be appreciated...I've only used closed corporate solutions before so new to open-source.
CVS idea
Guys,
Can we use CodeBeamer for something like this? From what I'm reading this might allow us the versioning control. It could be downloaded for free for up to 6 users.
Any thoughts?
Here's the link for the version that I was thinking of.
http://www.intland.com/products/cb-mr/overview.html
Took a look back for a few pages, and did a couple quick searches. Didn't quite find enough info.
I am wondering the best approach to take when converting a program to be compatible with and run on windows mobile.
I don't currently know any languages so, I would have to start learning from the beginning.
Thanks for any info
from the little I know about programming, the way an application (or games) works on windows is nothing similar to the way a program runs on windows mobile, so you would actually need to start from scratch... There are however some tools to make the job easier with older programs, like Dosbox... but I don't know if it's what you want.
The most amazing think for me is that, out os 61 views on this topic, the only person that bother to answer is NOT a developer (me)
Convert app? Impossible. With source code it is possible, if you adjust UI to fit the screen and get over some limitations and many other things.
Good is .NET on this, because if you install .NET CF on your PC, you can run apps built for winmo directly on your PC. Only issue is when it tries using other than normal libraries from GAC and tries using InterOp. That library would have to be recompiled for win32, rather wince-arm (back to 1st part). The same, the app has to be made that it is compatible with both file paths - remember that WinMo doesn't use C:\Windows but \Windows etc. And .NET CF is highly limited compared to desktop version.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm not looking for a simple way to convert programs as I'm sure it is impossible. I'm expecting to have to pretty much start from ground up.
I've seen some games such as Pocket Diablo(some others here http://www.jamesbeckingham.com.au/Default.aspx) as well as Starcraft that someone here was working on.
But I'm just wondering the best approach to do work like these guys. As there are some games I would like to bring to mobile.
These games work pretty much that people make the engine from scratch, with many hours in disassemblers, hexeditors etc they find out how does the engine load graphics from those huge files etc and they add it to their engine. Usually.
Its possible... but often more work than it is worth
OndraSter said:
These games work pretty much that people make the engine from scratch, with many hours in disassemblers, hexeditors etc they find out how does the engine load graphics from those huge files etc and they add it to their engine. Usually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The hours put in to "porting" these apps to windows mobile is often close to the work it would take to make the game from scratch. So if you are not familiar with coding, disassembling code is far outside your scope. However, when finished, these games have more of an original feel, but often work less effective. This is due to the translation of using mouse clicks to touch input. Games such as diablo rely heavily on having two mice buttons to click. A total remake would be less like the original but might compensate for the new control scheme.
Both ways are possible, but they are both also complicated and involve a great deal of work. Not to mention how unhappy blizzard is with people using their artwork, even if the game is absolutely free.
Sorry but, none of you are really being helpful..
I do not expect this to be easy. I am expecting it to be a long process, and telling me something that I already know over and over doesn't help me get started. I've already said that I expect to probably have to rebuild these from ground up..
I know what is ahead of me and want to do this stuff, other wise I wouldn't be asking.
So if anyone knows the process or at least where I could get started. Please let me know. Otherwise I'll just start with Java then C# until I find my own way into doing this.
From personal experience of porting a game ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=717274 ), it will take awhile. Here is the process I used when making the game:
1) Collect image resources if any are possible to be used.
2) Research what kind of engines to use. I made the mistake of trying to use the basic image function in C#.net, which was a waste of time. Then I switched to GDI+ and haven't had any problems since.
3) Make a list of things you want to do on the program. From the required things to the extra fancy features. Sounds are extra features.
4) Prototype A LOT. Find what you want to accomplish, break its parts down into basic actions, then prototype of how to do that action.
As a language to start with, I personally recommend C#.net because its easy to use. It doesn't have the speed of C++, but it does have the #region/ #endregion functions which have helped me ENORMOUSLY with writing code. The region code can be minimized. With 2000+ lines of code per class and about 20 classes, minimizing code makes moving around easier.
Check the XDA boards or search online if your lost. If you need more help on porting code or making functions to do specific actions, message me and I'll gladly help.
I have been coding on WM 6.x and the CE lineup for years. Done it on VB.NET. Now, with the iteration of WP7, I have migrated to the refreshing OS. But, I got the shock of my life when I opened VS2010 WP7 project...
XAML, Binding item, etc. I have never touched them before. Coding for the WM 6 was as easy as Windows Forms. If you get me. I gave up WPF because of the confusing stuff esp XAML. Borrowing a WP7 coding book frm the library didn't help. So now.. If there's any member who's willing to devote a small time to answer some of the coding difficulties (thru PM) as I code along, it will be great. Can't offer you much, though ...
Went through the same thing. I found the documentation on MSDN really useful. Also if you have a look on codeplex there are some samples and apps around that could be useful for you to look over. I would say don't be too scared by XAML its really good once you get used to it.
Also you might want to look at the new mango dev tools as they support developing in vb so you won't have to move to c sharp
arikyeo said:
I have been coding on WM 6.x and the CE lineup for years. Done it on VB.NET. Now, with the iteration of WP7, I have migrated to the refreshing OS. But, I got the shock of my life when I opened VS2010 WP7 project...
XAML, Binding item, etc. I have never touched them before. Coding for the WM 6 was as easy as Windows Forms. If you get me. I gave up WPF because of the confusing stuff esp XAML. Borrowing a WP7 coding book frm the library didn't help. So now.. If there's any member who's willing to devote a small time to answer some of the coding difficulties (thru PM) as I code along, it will be great. Can't offer you much, though ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, although i don't have any programming skills at all.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
I can understand how going from WinForms to XAML/Silverlight would be a shock.
Strangely, my ASP.NET experience helped me to adapt to XAML - the concept of defining UI declaratively in the markup and having the code in a code-behind file is exactly the same in both.
If you've done any desktop WPF, it's the same concept as well.
In order to adapt from WinForms, think of it this way:
1) the design canvas - works similarly between either WinForms, WPF, Silverlight.
2) the declarative markup - similar in concept to HTML. In WinForms, the auto-generated InitializeComponent () in *.designer.cs is responsible for creating, initializing, and building the UI - in WPF/Silverlight the XAML serves this purpose, but is much easier to modify than the InitializeComponent method (which they tell you you shouldn't be doing).
3) the code behind - In WinForms, you have to open up your WinForms class in the code view, and you can code all the event handlers and whatnot. In WPF/Silverlight, this is in the *.xaml.cs, and is very similar to the WinForms codebehind.
I'd recommend going to create.msdn.com and start going through the tutorials.
Check this site Getting Started with Windows Phone.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/wp7trainingcourse_wp7gettingstarted_unit
Yes, MSDN, they have a on-line training to get your started, even your first "Hello World" app to try. I figure I will be going this route to get an idea of the tools then go deeper into reading coding just to get the fundamentals down.
It's the only way I could get started...
These videos are helpful
http://channel9.msdn.com/Series/Windows-Phone-7-Development-for-Absolute-Beginners
is there a german version too??
i need German language
styles89 said:
is there a german version too??
i need German language
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't look like it, and besides nearly all programming is done in English.
Personally I can't stand using a Norwegian version of Windows, and others can't live without it.
I've been taking some classes in C# programming at my University. I'm trying to attain a Computer Science degree and I feel like I've not learned much but a mild foundation for what I can do with C# programming and would like to expand my knowledge, little by little. I feel as though I have a pretty firm grasp on the basics and would love an experienced hand guiding me in the right direction towards getting me better ready for the job market after college. I'm currently applying for internships and would like to be well prepared.
Detayl said:
I've been taking some classes in C# programming at my University. I'm trying to attain a Computer Science degree and I feel like I've not learned much but a mild foundation for what I can do with C# programming and would like to expand my knowledge, little by little. I feel as though I have a pretty firm grasp on the basics and would love an experienced hand guiding me in the right direction towards getting me better ready for the job market after college. I'm currently applying for internships and would like to be well prepared.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best way is to simply use it as much as possible and challenge yourself. I've been working as a developer for nearly 20 years and I'm always finding new things that I don't know how to do. Learning to search effectively is probably the best skill any new developer should hone.
If I were you I'd start out with something not too difficult, like a simple text editor application (make your own version of notepad!) That will give you some basic skills like simple UI design (menus, controls anchored to the form etc.), file reading/writing (good exposure to streams unless you use the quick and easy methods). It's just a general basic all-rounder. Then expand on it - make it so the pages open in tabs. That will teach you about collections (the tab pages, in this instance) or MDI child windows.
There are some great resources available online, but I'll always suggest Stack Overflow. If you don't know it then google it. It's part of the "Stack Exchange" collection of Q&A sites and is probably the most reliable place on the web for programming answers.
Basically, don't try and learn it so you can do it. Do it so you can learn it.
I hope this helps - good luck, and most of all, have fun!
Archer said:
The best way is to simply use it as much as possible and challenge yourself. I've been working as a developer for nearly 20 years and I'm always finding new things that I don't know how to do. Learning to search effectively is probably the best skill any new developer should hone.
If I were you I'd start out with something not too difficult, like a simple text editor application (make your own version of notepad!) That will give you some basic skills like simple UI design (menus, controls anchored to the form etc.), file reading/writing (good exposure to streams unless you use the quick and easy methods). It's just a general basic all-rounder. Then expand on it - make it so the pages open in tabs. That will teach you about collections (the tab pages, in this instance) or MDI child windows.
There are some great resources available online, but I'll always suggest Stack Overflow. If you don't know it then google it. It's part of the "Stack Exchange" collection of Q&A sites and is probably the most reliable place on the web for programming answers.
Basically, don't try and learn it so you can do it. Do it so you can learn it.
I hope this helps - good luck, and most of all, have fun!
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Thanks! I was just thinking of making this my first project as well. I've done some random things such as a Base10 to Hexadecimal generator, in both the console and WPF. I was thinking this might be a good project as well. I just don't like the fact my school hasn't asked too much of us, but from what I've read that's common. I just want to be prepared to enter the job market so that I may hone my skills. I guess I'll get working on researching what the basic requirements of a text editor is, and how to start saving/opening/creating .txt files.