Article
Top 5 .NET Newbie Q and A
2. Well, if it works with so many languages, which is the best to learn?
Language choice is a matter of preference. Here's an excellent article titled "VB .NET vs. C#" .
If you feel your PHP skills are rather strong, you would likely want to start with C#. It is a lot like C++, but not as complex. Also, keep in mind that C# is almost identical to Java. You'll recognize a lot of the Syntax as well, since it is C-based. -- Jeremy
If you're coming from a basis of experience in Visual Basic, VBScript, or VBA (such as creating macros in Office), you might want to try VB.NET. -- Westmich
Or, if you're thinking of your employability in the long run, check out the job scene in your area. Get an idea of what employers are seeking locally and further afield on job sites, and, if you can, join a .NET user group and ask around. -- JeremyL
Don't be afraid to contact recruitment agencies and ask them what skills are most commonly required by employers, and ask more experienced programmers where they see the market heading.
3. OK. So I want to get into .NET. What's the best way to learn it?
Great resources include:
To get started learning, check out:
- The .NET Framework
- MSDE - The free version of Microsoft SQL server. It works exactly like the real thing, except that you can't use it in a production environment.
- Download the .NET SDK -- in a recent poll, 84.62% of SitePoint's .NET developers said they couldn't live without it!
- Don't forget Kevin Yank's Getting Started with ASP.NET, right here in SitePoint's ASP and .NET category.
If you're into print, take a look at these books:
- "Beginning ASP.NET using C# /VB.NET" by Wrox Press.
- If you've done some object-oriented programming before, try "Professional ASP.NET"
- VB.NET programmers, try Karl Moore's first book, "Visual Basic .NET: The Tutorials".
- "Programming ASP.NET by Jesse Liberty is also good.
4. Is There an ASP.NET Editor I can use?
There is! Microsoft have released their own free WYSIWYG Editor, called the Web Matrix Project, which you can download here.
If you'd like a little more control over your code's formatting, you might be able to reconfigure another editor -- mtffafl reconfigured his copy of Editpad Lite to auto-indent on .aspx and .aspx.cs files.
Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX does an okay job of recognizing and highlighting ASP.NET code, while providing a live preview, too.
5. Where can I get .NET hosting?
The first stop should be your existing Web host -- call or email them and ask them whether they support .NET.
If you don't have a host, or you're shopping around, www.asp.net has an extensive list of .net hosts on their Resources page.
More ASP hosts become .NET-enabled all the time, including www.adehost.com, personally recommended by Jeremy
You can also get free .NET hosting, from companies such as http://www.dotnetplayground.com and http://www.brinkster.com.
This article is part of SitePoint's .NET Feature Guide -- an excellent resource for aspiring and experienced .NET developers. Don't miss it!