Visual C# .NET Standard 2003

Visual C#.NET Standard 2003 combines Microsoft's newest programming language with the visual tools and wizards of Visual Studio.NET. The language itself is fully object-oriented and loosely based on C, which is how it got its name. Programmers with experience in C, C++ or Java generally find C# easy to pick up. However, C# is easier for novices to learn than C or C++, being designed from the start for high productivity. There's also excellent support for important features like multi-threading and parsing or generating XML. Visual C#.NET Standard 2003 creates applications that run on the .NET Framework. This brings a number of advantages, such as automatic memory management and access to the rich .NET class library. The downside is that the free Framework runtime must be installed for the application to run. Visual C# applications do not run on Windows 95.

Visual C#.NET Standard 2003 features a number of different project types. ASP.NET applications run on Web servers and enable developers to create dynamic Web pages, including live database access, almost as easily as traditional desktop applications. Another highlight is Web services, which enable applications to communicate with one another across the Internet, using XML to bridge different platforms such as .NET and Java. There is also a Windows form designer for standard applications, including drag-and-drop components in the style made popular by Visual Basic. The programming environment is slick, with convenient features like docking and tabbed windows, project wizards, auto-completion and pop-up help in the code editor.

This is the Standard edition, which is intended to be introductory. Professional developers should consider Visual Studio.NET Professional Edition 2003, which includes a more advanced version of Visual C# as well as other languages. The full Visual Studio.NET Pro 2003 is needed for features like compiling code into libraries, accessing source code control, or targeting the Compact Framework for mobile devices like Pocket PC. Even so, this Standard edition is a capable package that includes all you need to build applications for both Windows and the Web. --Tim Anderson

Visual C# .NET 2003 is the modern, innovative programming language and tool for building .NET-connected software for Microsoft Windows, the Web, and a wide range of devices. With syntax that resembles C++, a flexible integrated development environment (IDE), and the capability to build solutions across a variety of platforms and devices, Visual C# .NET 2003 significantly eases the development of .NET-connected software.Visual C# .NET builds on a strong C++ heritage. Immediately familiar to C++ and Java developers, C# is a modern and intuitive object-oriented programming language that offers significant improvements, including a unified type system, "unsafe" code for maximum developer control, and powerful new language constructs easily understood by most developers.Developers can take advantage of an innovative component-oriented language with inherent support for properties, indexers, delegates, versioning, operator overloading, and custom attributes. With XML comments, C# developers can produce useful source code documentation. An advanced inheritance model enables developers to reuse their code from within any programming language that supports .NET.C# developers can join the newest, fastest-growing developer community, in which they can exchange code and resources, leverage skills across multiple computing environments, and contribute to the standardization process that ensures vibrant and active community participation.With a superior IDE, Visual C# .NET provides users with the ultimate developer environment, bringing together the development community and valuable online resources. The Start Page offers developers a one-click portal to updates, preferences, information on recently used projects, and the MSDN Online community. Improved IntelliSense, the Toolbox, and the Task List provide significant productivity enhancements, while AutoHide windows and multiple-monitor support help programmers maximize screen real estate and customize their development environment. New custom build rules make developing robust and powerful software easier than ever.Using the Web Forms Designer and XML Designer, developers can use IntelliSense features and tag completion or the WYSIWYG editor for drag-and-drop authoring to build interactive Web applications. With a few simple steps, programmers can design, develop, debug, and deploy powerful XML Web services that reduce development time by encapsulating business processes accessible from any platform.With Visual C# .NET 2003, developers can take advantage of Microsoft .NET and incorporate next-generation technology for resource management, unified types, and remoting. With Microsoft .NET, developers gain superior memory management technology for seamless garbage collection and reduced program complexity. Developers can use the Microsoft .NET Framework Common Type System to leverage code written in any of more than 20 languages that support .NET, while making efficient remote procedure calls.Developers can also use the tested and proven .NET Framework class library to gain powerful built-in functionality, including a rich set of collection classes, networking support, multithreading support, string and regular expression classes, and broad support for XML, XML schemas, XML namespaces, XSLT, XPath, and SOAP. And, with the Java Language Conversion Assistant (JLCA), programmers can begin migrating their Java-based projects to the Microsoft .NET environment.Using Visual C# .NET 2003, developers can construct powerful Web services that encapsulate business processes and make them available to applications running on any platform. Developers can easily incorporate any number of Web services that are catalogued and available in many independent Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration (UDDI) directories, providing a strong foundation of services and business logic for their applications.Visual C# .NET 2003 also enables developers to build the next generation of Windows-based applications. With visual inheritance, developers can greatly simplify the creation of Windows-based applications by centralizing in parent forms the common logic and user interface for their entire solution. Using control anchoring and docking, programmers can build resizable forms automatically, while the in-place menu editor enables developers to visually author menus directly from within the Forms Designer.