Introduction to Programming in C# (For C# and .Net Core)

This is a skills-focused, hands-on coding course that teaches students the fundamentals of programming object oriented (OO) applications with C#.Net to a basic level, using sound coding skills and best practices for OO development.  This course is presented in a way that enables interested students from any background to embrace the fundamentals of coding as well as an introduction to C#.Net and Visual Studio, in a gentle paced environment that focuses on coding basics, moving at the comfort level of the attendees. 

This independent course aligns with the Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) 10975.

Students are introduced to the application development cycle, structure of programs, and specific language syntax. The course also contains “Thinking Like a Programmer” sections that provide students insight on how to develop common algorithms. The course covers console and file I/O, string and character manipulation, managing data using collections and fundamental object-oriented programming concepts. Error handling techniques are also emphasized. The course also introduces how to access databases using ADO.NET and illustrates how to build user interfaces using Windows Forms. Comprehensive hands on exercises are integrated throughout to reinforce learning and develop real competency.

Students will leave this course armed with the required skills to begin their journey as a .Net programmer using modern coding skills and technologies.  This course provides students with a solid foundation for continued .Net programming training and skills development.

Module 1: Introduction to Core Programming Concepts

This module provides background and foundational information on how computers process information, discusses the different types of applications that a programmer might be creating, and then provides information on how code is compiled and interpreted by a computer.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe computer data storage and processing concepts
• Describe application types
• Describe the lifecycle of an application
• Describe code compilation

Lessons

• Computer Data Storage and Processing
• Application Types
• Application Life-Cycle
• Code Compilation
• Lab : Thinking Like a Computer

Module 2: Core Programming Language Concepts

This module covers programming language syntax and the importance of using good syntax and following the syntax rules for the chosen language. This module also discusses the core data types and how to store these data types in computer memory by using variables and constants.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define syntax
• Explain the different types of core data used in programs
• Declare and use variables and constants in a computer program

Lessons

• Syntax
• Data Types
• Variables and Constants
• Lab : Working with Data Types

Module 3: Program Flow

This module covers how code is executed in a computer program, such as top to bottom, in structured programming and branching in code execution. The module teaches these concepts through the use of functions, decision structures, and looping constructs.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe structured programming
• Create and use functions in your code
• Create and use decision structures
• Create and use looping structures

Lessons

• Introduction to Structured Programming Concepts
• Introduction to Branching
• Using Functions
• Using Decision Structures
• Introducing Repetition
• Lab : Creating Functions, Decisions, and Looping

Module 4: Algorithms and Data Structures

This module introduces the concept of an algorithm by examining a daily routine such as a morning routine for getting up and going to work, outlining all the steps required including the decisions to be made as the routine progresses. The module also discusses how to translate these set of steps into pseudo code for evaluation of the algorithm that will be translated into actual code.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Transfer problem statements into pseudo code
• Create algorithms
• Translate pseudo code into programming code
• Create simple algorithms in code
• Create data structures to store data

Lessons

• Understand How to Write Pseudo Code
• Algorithm Examples
• Introduction to Data Structures
• Lab : Working with Algorithms and Data Structures

Module 5: Error Handling and Debugging

This module helps students understand that errors are a part of programming and they must understand how to anticipate errors, handle those errors in code, and present a good user experience with a program. This module introduces structured exception handling as the mechanism to deal with errors.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement structured exception handling
• Debug applications by using Visual Studio 2013

Lessons

• Introduction to Program Errors
• Introduction to Structured Error Handling
• Introduction to Debugging in Visual Studio
• Lab : Implementing Debugging and Error Handling

Module 6: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

This module covers an introduction to the concepts related to object-oriented programming (OOP). The content has been split across two modules with this module focusing on basic OOP concepts that will provide sufficient knowledge to understand complex data structures starting with structs and then moving onto classes. This module helps the students gain an understanding of how to encapsulate data and related functionality within a class.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create and use structure types
• Create and use basic class files
• Choose when to use a struct vs a class

Lessons

• Introduction to Complex Structures
• Introduction to Structs
• Introduction to Classes
• Introducing Encapsulation
• Lab : Implementing Complex Data Structures

Module 7: More Object-Oriented Programming

This module teaches students about inheritance and polymorphism in classes and function overloading. Function overloading and polymorphism can go hand-in-hand as often times when you inherit from a class, you want to override or change the existing behavior to suit the needs of you class.

The module also provides an introduction to the base class library in the .NET Framework so that students can start to think about the existence of functionality in other class files and how they can search the .NET Framework to find this functionality and take advantage of it.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Use inheritance in OOP
• Implement polymorphism in your classes
• Describe how the base class library is constructed
• Find class information by using the Object Browser

Lessons

• Introduction to Inheritance
• Introduction to Polymorphism
• Introduction to the .NET Framework and the Base Class Library
• Lab : Implementing Inheritance
• Lab : Implementing Polymorphism

Module 8: Introduction to Application Security

This module helps students think about security in their applications. This module introduces the concepts of authentication for users and also introduces the concept of permissions for the code that is running on a computer. It explains that operating systems might prevent certain aspects of the program from executing, such as saving a file to a directory to which the user running the app might not have permission to write. The module briefly covers code signing and why programmers might want to consider using code signing.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe how authorization and authentication work
• Describe how to apply access permissions for executing code on a computer
• Explain how code signing works

Lessons

• Authentication and Authorization
• Code Permissions on Computers
• Introducing Code Signing

Module 9: Core I/O Programming

This module introduces some core input/output (I/O) concepts that programmers will use while creating applications. Starting with console I/O, this module introduces input and output to the Console window.

The module also talks about reading and writing files, which is an important concept to know because applications work with the files on the disk systems on computers.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Read input from a console
• Output data to the console
• Read and write text files

Lessons

• Using Console I/O
• Using File I/O
• Lab : Core I/O Programming

Module 10: Application Performance and Memory Management

This module enables students understand that memory on a computer is a finite resource. It talks about how good application design and good coding discipline with memory conservation and memory management will help programmers learn to develop applications that users will like. This is because these applications will be fast, responsive, and do not negatively impact other applications.

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement value and reference types correctly in an application
• Convert between value types and reference types
• Use the garbage collector

Lessons

• Value Types vs Reference Types
• Converting Types
• The Garbage Collector
• Lab : Using Value Types and Reference Types

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Ability to use computers to start programs, open and save files, navigate application menus and interfaces
• Ability to understand logical concepts such as comparisons
• Understand number theory
• Ability to create, understand, and follow structured directions or step-by-step procedures
• Ability to understand and apply abstract concepts to concrete examples

This course is intended for anyone who is new to software development and wants, or needs, to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of coding and basics of .Net and object-oriented programming concepts or anyone who wants to have a basic understanding of and learn how to code C# .Net applications and syntax.

Attendees might include:

• Anyone who wants exposure to basic coding skills, or who wants to begin the process of becoming an OO application developer
• Technical team members from non-development roles, re-skilling to move into software and application development roles within an organization
• Recent college graduates looking to apply their college experience to programming skills in a professional environment, or perhaps needing to learn the best practices and standards for programming within their new organization
• Technical managers tasked with overseeing programming teams, or development projects, where basic coding knowledge and exposure will be useful in project oversight or communications needs