C# 9 and .NET 5 : Modern Cross-Platform Development

A comprehensive guide for beginners to learn the key concepts, real-world applications, and latest features of C# 9 and .NET 5 with hands-on exercises using VS Code

Key Features

• Explore the newest additions to C# 9, the .NET 5 class library, Entity Framework Core and Blazor
• Strengthen your command of ASP.NET Core 5.0 and create professional websites and services
• Build cross-platform apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

Book Description

In C# 9 and .NET 5 - Modern Cross-Platform Development, Fifth Edition, expert teacher Mark J. Price gives you everything you need to start programming C# applications.

This latest edition uses the popular Visual Studio Code editor to work across all major operating systems. It is fully updated and expanded with a new chapter on the Microsoft Blazor framework.

The book's first part teaches the fundamentals of C#, including object-oriented programming and new C# 9 features such as top-level programs, target-typed new object instantiation, and immutable types using the record keyword. Part 2 covers the .NET APIs, for performing tasks like managing and querying data, monitoring and improving performance, and working with the file system, async streams, serialization, and encryption. Part 3 provides examples of cross-platform apps you can build and deploy, such as websites and services using ASP.NET Core or mobile apps using Xamarin.Forms.

By the end of the book, you will have acquired the understanding and skills you need to use C# 9 and .NET 5 to create websites, services, and mobile apps.

What you will learn

• Build your own types with object-oriented programming
• Query and manipulate data using LINQ
• Build websites and services using ASP.NET Core 5
• Create intelligent apps using machine learning
• Use Entity Framework Core and work with relational databases
• Discover Windows app development using the Universal Windows Platform and XAML
• Build rich web experiences using the Blazor framework
• Build mobile applications for iOS and Android using Xamarin.Forms

Who this book is for

This book is best for C# and .NET beginners, or programmers who have worked with C# in the past but feel left behind by the changes in the past few years. This book doesn't expect you to have any C# or .NET experience; however, you should have a general understanding of programming.

Students and professionals with a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) background can certainly benefit from this book.

Table of Contents

1. Hello, C#! Welcome, .NET Core!
2. Speaking C#
3. Controlling Flow and Converting Types
4. Writing, Debugging, and Testing Functions
5. Building Your Own Types with Object-Oriented Programming
6. Implementing Interfaces and Inheriting Classes
7. Understanding and Packaging .NET Types
8. Working with Common .NET Types
9. Working with Files, Streams, and Serialization
10. Protecting Your Data and Applications
11. Working with Databases Using Entity Framework Core
12. Querying and Manipulating Data with LINQ
13. Improving Performance and Scalability with Multitasking
14. Introducing Practical Applications of C# and .NET
15. Building Websites Using ASP.NET Core Razor Pages
16. Building Websites Using the Model-View-Controller Pattern
17. Building Websites Using a Content Management System
18. Building and Consuming Web Services
19. Building Intelligent Apps Using Machine Learning
20. Building Web User Interfaces Using Blazor
21. Building Cross-Platform Mobile Apps Using Xamarin.Forms
22. Appendix A (Bonus Chapter)
23. Appendix B (Bonus Chapter)

Mark J. Price is a Microsoft Specialist: Programming in C# and Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions, with over 20 years' experience. Since 1993, he has passed more than 80 Microsoft programming exams and specializes in preparing others to pass them. Between 2001 and 2003, Mark was employed to write official courseware for Microsoft in Redmond, USA. His team wrote the first training courses for C# while it was still an early alpha version. While with Microsoft, he taught "train-the-trainer" classes to get other MCTs up-to-speed on C# and .NET. Currently, Mark creates and delivers training courses for Episerver's Digital Experience Platform. Mark holds a Computer Science BSc. Hons. Degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.