Before you start with the lessons and examples on this website you need to know a few things about .NET and the various versions of the Framework.

The .NET examples used on this website are targeted for the .NET Framework version 3.5 and Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition.  That said, they may also work with older .NET versions.  The examples will also work with the full Visual Studio .NET IDE tool most of the time.  The full Visual Studio .NET however may look slightly different than the Express version in some of the screenshots used.  This is because the full Visual Studio .NET has additional features not available in the Express versions.

Also please note that the Express versions are separated into two separate products: Visual Web Developer and Visual C#.  Visual Web Developer is used for writing ASP.NET web applications and web services.  Visual C# is used for writing class libraries. 

Before you begin looking for books and online materials I will tell you a little bit about my experience with learning ASP.NET and C# and what I recommend for newbies.  First, there really is no single book, CD, or website that will teach you everything you need to know about ASP.NET and C#.  Some materials are geared towards helping you pass a certification exam, whereas other materials may advertise to teach you ASP.NET in 21 days or 24 hours.

Realize that each resource has its purpose and you will need to read from various resources and websites to learn ASP.NET and C# practically and be able to really use it.  Your journey will start here and I will walk you through everything you need, but just realize periodically I may temporarily point you to external sites in order to provide you with all the comprehensive quality information you need to succeed 110%.

You will also have to build on the examples that you find with some guidance from expert level ASP.NET/C# programmers like myself.  Let’s face it, “Hello World” just isn’t enough; you have to go beyond that and build on your learning incrementally.  That is what we will do here together and you will get better and better at it over time.  By combining the material on this website, external recommended material from free online resources, books that you like and advice from good programmers you know, you will be getting the complete set of tools to practically learn ASP.NET with C#.

In addition, there are pros and cons to the different styles of teaching ASP.NET and C#.  Some instructors start you off with hands-on exercises right away without any introduction to the .NET Framework.  Others use hands-on interaction later in the book or course, after many of the concepts have been reviewed in a classroom setting or book chapter.  I tend to prefer a hands-on approach with a little bit of introduction first.  I want the example exercises and lessons to be practical for you and not some code that you would throw away.  I want you to be able to implement a real ASP.NET with C# application and apply what you learn here immediately.

Finally, here is some motivational advice: don’t get frustrated along the way!  You will be presented with technical challenges and in some instances you may hit a brick wall.  I have seen students break through the brick wall, and others give up completely.  Please don’t be the one that gives up, you really can do it if you have the desire to learn and succeed.  I will also help you create and fully develop that desire so that you are fully driven.

ASP.NET is a really fun and wonderful programming platform.  It is the best web programming framework in the world because of its ease of use and powerful capabilities.  C# is a very logical and succint programming language that can be really fun if you approach it from the right mindset.

If you do feel at some point like you are just lost or cannot proceed, take a break, do some more reading or re-reading and then go back to your assignment later when you are fresh.  Sometimes just being fatigued can challenge your brain enough to affect your learning.  Also, don’t get too worried if you don’t understand every last detail about ASP.NET or C# in order to be successful with it.  You are going to be constantly learning new things so as long as you are always progressing, you will be in good shape.

Happy Coding and welcome to Amazing ASP.NET.  It’s great to have you here.