Beginners Guide To C# Basics

C# is a simple, modern, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft as part of its .NET initiative, which is led by Anders Hejlsberg. This tutorial will teach you basic C# programming as well as various advanced concepts related to the C# programming language using code examples. This tutorial was created for beginners to help them understand the fundamentals of C# programming. 

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History of C#

C# was first introduced with the.NET Framework 1.0 in 2002 and has evolved significantly since then. The table below summarises the key features introduced in each version of C#:

After understanding the history of the c# programming language, we will now understand the introduction of c# in this c# basic tutorial.

Introduction to C#

The letter C# is pronounced "C-Sharp." It is a Microsoft object-oriented programming language that runs on the .NET Framework. C# has roots in the C family and is related to other popular languages such as C++ and Java. In 2002, the first version was released.

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Use of C#

• Applications for mobile devices
• Applications for the desktop
• Web-based applications
• Web-based services
• Websites, Games, VR Databases, and Applications
• And so much more!

Why Should You Use C#?

• It is one of the most widely used programming languages on the planet.
• It is simple to learn and use.
• It has a lot of community support.
• C# is an object-oriented programming language that gives programs a clear structure and allows code to be reused, lowering development costs.
• Because C# is similar to C, C++, and Java, it is simple for programmers to switch to C# or vice versa.

We will now look at c# syntax after understanding the introduction to the c# programming language in this c# basics article.

C# Syntax

The syntax of the c# programming languages is as follows:

Line 1: Using System allows us to use classes from the System namespace.

Line 2: A namespace is a container for classes and other namespaces used to organize your code.

Line 3: The curly braces indicate the start and end of a code block.

Line 4: A class is a data and method container that adds functionality to your program. Every line of code in C# must be contained within a class. In our example, the class was called a program.

Line 5: The Main method is another thing that is always present in a C# program. Any code contained within its curly brackets will be executed.

Line 6: Console is a System namespace class with a WriteLine() method for outputting/printing text. In our case, it will print "Hello World!"

Following the c# basics article, we will now look at writing comments in the c# programming language.

C# Comments

Comments can be used to explain and improve the readability of C# code and can also be used to prevent execution when experimenting with different codes.

• Single-Line Comment

Single-line comments are preceded by two forward slashes (/). C# ignores any text between / and the end of the line (will not be executed).

In this example, a single-line comment is used before a line of code:

• Multi-Line Comment

Comments that span multiple lines begin with /* and end with */. C# will ignore any text between /* and */.

To explain the code in this example, a multi-line comment (a comment block) is used:

After learning how to write c# comments, look at c# variables in this c# basics article.

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C# Variables

Variables are storage containers for data values. In C#, there are different types of variables (defined with different keywords), such as:

• Int : Integers (whole numbers) without decimals, such as 123 or -123.
• Double : Stores floating-point numbers with decimal places, such as 19.99 or -19.99
• char : Holds single characters like 'a'  b.' 'single quotes are used to surround char values.
• String : A string that stores text, such as "H" in hello World." "double quotes are used to surround string values.
• bool : Stores values that can be true or false

Declaring Variable

To make a variable, you must first specify its type and then assign it a value:

Where type is a C# type (for example, int or string) and the variable name is the variable name (such as a or name). To assign values to variables, use the equal sign.

Following on from the c# basics article, we will now look at the various data types in the c# programming language.

C# Data Types

Data types can be categorized based on their memory location:

• Value Types

• Reference Types

• Pointer Types

Using an example, let's go over these c# data types in greater detail.

• Value Types

A data type is a value type if it can store data values in its own memory space. It means that these data type variables directly contain values.

The following data types are all of value data type:

Bool, byte, char, decimal, double, Enum, float, int, long, short, and struct

• Reference Types

Unlike a value type, a reference type does not store its value directly. Instead, it saves the address where the value is kept. In other words, a reference type contains a pointer to another memory location where the data is stored.

The following data types are all of value data type:

String, arrays, classes, and delegate

• Pointer Types

A simple data type is a pointer type. Its functionality is identical to that of a pointer in C, and it is intended to store the address of another pointer.

The following section of the c# basics article will look at different types of operators in the c# programming language.

C# Operators

Operators are used to manipulating variables and values

• Arithmetic Operators
• Assignment Operators
• Comparison Operations
• Logical Operators

Using an example, let's go over all of these different types of C# operators in greater depth.

• Arithmetic Operators

Arithmetic operators are commonly used to perform mathematical operations.

• Assignment Operators

Variables are assigned values using assignment operators:

• Comparison Operators

To compare two Values, comparison operators are used:

• Logical Operators

To determine the logic between variables or values, logical operators are used:

Following on from the c# operators, we will now look at the structure of a c# program in the c# basics article.

Structure of C# Program

The essential C# programming language structure is defined as:

• Class
• Simplilearn
• Main
• Void
• Static
• Strings[  ]args
• System.Console.Writeline( “message” );

In this c# basics article, we will look at c# conditional statements after understanding the structure of the c# programming language.

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C# Conditional Statement

The programmer must specify one or more conditions to be evaluated or tested by the program, a statement or statements to be performed if the condition is accurate, and optionally other statements to be achieved if the state is determined to be false.

The conditional statements in C# are as follows:

• if statement
• If-else statement
• If-else-if ladder
• Nested if
• Switch 

In great detail, we will go over all of these conditional statements in the C# programming language.

• If Statement

In the C# programming language, an if statement is defined as a programming conditional statement that, if true, performs an operation or displays information within the statement block.

• If-else Statement

In C#, the if-else statement performs operations based on a specific condition. For example, if the given situation is actual, the procedures specified in the if block are executed; otherwise, the else block is performed.

•  If-else-if Ladder

In C#, the if-else statement performs operations based on a specific condition. For example, if the given situation is actual, the procedures specified in the if block are executed; otherwise, the else block is performed.

• Nested if

In the C# programming language, a nested if statement is defined as a conditional programming statement that includes another if statement inside the previous if statement.

• Switch Case

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In the C# programming language, a switch case is defined as a programming selection statement that checks for a possible match to the provided condition against the available cases. If none of the cases match, the control will run the default statement block.

In C#, the loop control statement performs looping operations until the given condition is met. The controls are removed from the loop statements when the state is false.

A better comprehension We will now learn about different types of if c# loops after learning about c# conditional statements.

C# Loops

In C#, the loop control statement performs looping operations until the given condition is met. The controls are removed from the loop statements when the state is false.

There are three types of loop in C# language that is given below:

• for loop

• while loop

• do-while loop

In great detail, we will go over all of these loops in the c# programming language.

• For Loop

The for-loop statement executes a series of messages multiple times and shortens the code that manages the loop variable.

• While Loops

While loops repeat a statement or all statements, if a given condition is actual, it checks the condition before executing the loop body.

• Do While Loops

The do-while loop is an alternative to the while loop. This loop will execute the code block once before checking to see if the condition is actual, and then it will loop as long as the situation is real.

Following the c# basics tutorial, we will now learn about c# arrays.

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C# Arrays

A fixed-size sequential collection of elements of the same type is stored in an array. For example, an array holds a collection of the same data type. Still, it is often more helpful to think of an array as a collection of variables of the same type stored in contiguous memory locations.

Instead of declaring individual variables like array0, array1,..., and array99, you declare one array variable like an array and use array[0], array[1],..., array[99] to represent individual variables. For example, an index is used to access a specific element in an array.

Array Declaration 

In C#, you can declare an array using the following syntax:

The data type keyword specifies the type of elements in an array.

The array's rank is specified by []. The level determines the array size.

Array name specifies the array's name.

Array Initialization

Declaring an array does not cause the array to be initialized in memory. After the array variable has been initialized, you can assign values to it.:

Following our understanding of c# arrays, we will now look at c# strings in this c# basics article.

C# Strings

A string is a String object with the value text. The text is internally stored as a sequential read-only collection of Char objects. Because there is no null-terminating character at the end of a C# string, it can contain any number of embedded null characters ('0').'

Some string functions and descriptions are provided below.

clone( ) : Returns the reference of string.

Compare() : compare two specific strings.

Concat( ): Joins two strings and store the result in the first string

Contains( ): Return the value of specified string

CopyTo( ): Copies character from the specified position

Equals( ): Determines the two string objects have the same value

Trim( ) : Trims the string

In this c# basics tutorial, we will learn how to define and call a function, which will be described in our next segment, c# function.

C# Functions

A method is a collection of statements that work together to complete a task. For example, every C# program contains at least one class with the primary process.

To use a method in C#, you need to:

• Define a method
• Call the method

When you define a method, you are essentially declaring the elements that make up its structure:

You can call a function using the name of the process. The following example exemplifies this:

After learning about c# functions, we will move on to c# collections and their various classes, described in this c# basics article.

C# Collections

Collection classes are specialized data storage and retrieval classes. These classes support stacks, queues, lists, and hash tables. The interfaces of most collection classes are the same.

Collection classes serve various functions, such as dynamically allocating memory to elements and accessing a list of items via an index, among others. These classes construct collections of Object objects, which serve as the foundation for all data types in C#.

The System. Collection namespace's most used classes are listed below. To learn more about them, follow the table below:

Now, in this c# article, we will attempt to understand c# enums through the use of an example for a better understanding.

C# Enum

An enum is a type of "class" "representing a collection of constants (variables that cannot be changed or read).

Use the enum keyword (rather than class or interface) to create an enum, and separate the enum items with a comma:

Following this c# basics article, we will discuss one of the essential concepts in c#, object-oriented programming in c#.

C# OOPs

OOP is an abbreviation for Object-Oriented Programming. Procedural programming is all about writing procedures or methods that perform operations on data. In contrast, object-oriented programming is all about creating objects that contain both data and processes.

Object-oriented programming has several advantages over procedural programming, including the following:

• OOP is faster and easier to implement.
• OOP gives the programs a clear structure.
• OOP aids in keeping C# code DRY (DoDon'tepeat Yourself) and makes it easier to maintain, modify, and debug.
• OOP allows for the creation of fully reusable applications with less code and a shorter development time.

In C#, everything is associated with classes and objects and their attributes and methods. A car, for example, is an object in real life. The car has features like size and color and methods like start and stop. A Class functions similarly to an objective function or a "blueprint" "or creating objects.

Let's overall four c# oops concepts in greater depth:

Abstraction

• "it" represents the essential feature without representing the background details ``''s the definition of abstraction.
• Abstraction allows you to concentrate on what the object does rather than how it does it.
• Abstraction offers you a generalized view of your classes or objects by providing relevant information.
• Abstraction is concealing an object's working style while understandably displaying its information.

Encapsulation 

• Encapsulation is combining a data member and a method into a single unit (or class).
• Encapsulation is the process of enclosing something in a capsule. That is having the related operations and data related to an object into that object.

Inheritance 

• In C#, fields and methods can be inherited from one class. For example, the "i" inheritance concept" "s divided into two categories:
• Derived Class (child) - a class descended from another class.
• The class inherited is known as the base class (parent).

Polymorphism 

• Polymorphism in C# refers to the ability of objects of different types to provide a unique interface for other method implementations. 
• It is commonly used in the context of late binding, in which the behavior of an object in responding to a call to its method members is determined at run time based on the object type.

C# polymorphism is off two types:

• Compile Time Polymorphism 

When we create two or more methods with the same name but different parameters or a different series of parameters and the time of call, the compiler decides which way should be called based on the given arguments at the time of compilation.

That is why it is called compile-time polymorphism, also known as static polymorphism.

• Runtime Polymorphism

When we create a method with the same name in an inherited class and want to override the functionality of the base class, The term polymorphism ``''refers to the fact that the compiler determines which methods should be called at runtime. This is accomplished by combining a virtual keyword with a method.

We create a virtual base class method, and an override derived class method to override the base class method.

In this c# basics article, we will see c# access modifier after understanding c# object oriented programming os oops concepts in c# programming language.

C# Access Specifier

In C#Access modifiers specify the scope of accessibility of a class member or type of the class itself. 

Public : The code is available to all classes.

Private : The code can only be accessed within the same class.

Protected : The code is available within the same class or in a class inherited from that class. 

Internal : The code is only accessible within its assembly and cannot be accessed from another community.

Following on from that c# article, we will now look at various types of file operations and their descriptions.

C# File Operations

The file mode enumerator defines various file opening methods. The following members of the file mode enumerators are described:

• Append():  Appends text to the end of a file that already exists.
• Copy():  Duplicates a file
• Create(): Creates or replaces a file.
• Delete(): Removes a file
• Exists(): Checks to see if the file exists.
• ReadAllText(): This function reads the contents of a file.
• Replace(): It replaces the contents of one file with the contents of another.

• WriteAllTexts():  Makes a new file and writes its contents to it.

This c# basics article will look at c# exception handling, which is the next step in the c# programming language.

C# Exception Handling

Exception handling is a phase that deals with handling errors and exceptions that occur during runtime due to coding errors or invalid user input.

In C#, we use four keywords in exception handling:

• Try: The try statement allows you to define a block of code that will be tested for errors as it runs.
• Catch: If any error occurs in the try block, the catch statement allows you to define a block of code that will be performed.
• Finally: The final statement allows you to run code after trying and catching regardless of the outcome.
• Throw: The throw statement allows you to define your error.

Last but not least, in the c# basics tutorial, we will see some new c# programming language features.

C# New Features

The new C# 8 features include:

• Interface methods by default
• Types of nullable references
• Enhancements to pattern matching
• Asynchronous streams
• Making use of declarations
• Interpolated verbatim string enhancement
• Assignment of null-coalescing
• Local static functions
• Indices and their ranges
• Types of unmanaged construction
• In nested expressions, use Read-only-Member Stackable

Now that we've reached the end of this c# basics article let's summarize everything we've learned.

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Next Steps

First, in this article, we learned about the history of the c# programming language, followed by a brief introduction to c# programming. Finally, we looked at different types of comments and syntax in the c# programming language. We then looked at various kinds of variables, data types, and operators in C#. Then, in this c# basics article, we looked at the structure of the c# programming language and c# arrays, string functions, collections, and enums. Following that, we discussed oops concepts in the C# programming language and access specifiers, file operations, and exception handling. Finally, we saw some new features of the C# programming language.

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Do you have any questions about this C# Basics tutorial? Please leave them in the comments area at the bottom of this page if you do. Our experts will be delighted to resolve your queries as earliest as possible!