9 Best C# Books

Are you the person who want to learn C# but don’t know how to learn it without much fuzz? Are you wondering which book to purchase and where from? Then this article is just for you. What is better than learning to write software in the language of the software giant itself. C# is a general-purpose programming language developed by the software giant Microsoft.

Its development team is led by Anders Hejlsberg. It can be used to write an application to websites to web-apps to computer drivers and the list goes on. C# skill adds such a weight to your resume and your lifestyle. Because it is one stop for doing everything. That said there are countless resources out there that promise to teach C# but they quite inevitably fail to do so. I can tell that because I am a windows app developer.

Just like you, I spent a lot of time on video tutorials created by Microsoft and other third parties. They are not enough because they have only video time to say everything and they cannot incorporate the workarounds for the components that will become outdated in the very near future. The given list is the list is the material that I would recommend anyone.

It is a list of 10 books (descending order) that I used. The list includes recommended books for not only absolute beginners but also reference books for experienced developers. Even better, there are books that can be used for both kinds of readers equally well. They are great resources if their purpose is thoroughly understood. Don’t worry because that is what I am going to do now.

C# 2010 programming: Covers .NET 4.0

(By: Kogent Learning Solutions Inc )
Do not think that this book deals with a technology that is old. The thing about technology is that the more time it is around, the more stable it is. Same goes with a programming language. 2010 was the era of .NET 4.0. This book is the most comprehensive book on C# and .NET 4.0.

This book has detailed explanation for concepts and also explains how to implement each concept in your program. This book covers Pointers, delegates, events, Windows Forms applications, WPF applications and web technologies like ASP.NET and Ajax. This book is great for you if you are a beginner and ready for some serious commitment to C#.

This book will guarantee to serve you even after you are done reading. This book is available on amazon for a relatively cheap prize. If you think that this book is for you, buy it on amazon or any book store online:

C# 6.0 and the .NET 4.6 Framework

(By: ANDREW TROELSEN, Philip Japikse )

.NET 4.6, yes, you know it, is the new .NET. It came out along with and for windows 10. If you are into developing software for your new laptop that came with windows 10 preinstalled, this book is the way to go.

The new 7th edition of Pro C# 6.0 and the .NET 4.6 Platform has been completely revised and rewritten to reflect the latest changes to the C# language specification and new advances in the .NET Framework.

You'll find new chapters covering all the important new features that make .NET 4.6 the most comprehensive release yet, including a Refined ADO.NET Entity Framework Programming Model, Numerous IDE and MVVM Enhancements for WPF Desktop Development, Numerous updates to the ASP.NET Web APIs. Once you digest the information presented in these chapters, you’ll be in a perfect position to apply this knowledge to your specific programming assignments, and you’ll be well equipped to explore the .NET universe on your own terms.

I recommend for readers who want a fresh look at C#.

C# 2012 Programming, Covers .Net 4.5, Black Book

(By: Kogent Learning Solutions Inc. )

.NET 4.5 is your way to go for windows 8.1 development (It is supported in windows vista and later). We should not forget that windows 8.1 is still the stable most operating system by Microsoft.

Therefore, developing in .NET 4.5 is what corporate developers go for. If you want C# to be an added skill to your resume, then .NET 4.5 is an addition you will want. C# 2012 programming black book covers .NET 4.5 contains useful and in-depth information on all the conceptual foundations of C# 2012 and at the same time, explains how to implement each language concept programmatically, by providing most appropriate examples with full explanations.

This edition of the book particularly deals with some new and advanced topics including WPF, WCF, WF, ASP.NET AJAX, Silverlight, and LINQ. The best part is, this book is nice for beginners.

Programming in C#

(By: WOUTER DE KORT )
This is a great book for people aspiring for Microsoft certification. It is not for beginners as it is not for learning the syntax. In fact, this books provides a sampling of the C# concepts in order to facilitate the applicants to get a quick revision.

Using this book, you can prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-483 and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of programming in C#. Designed for experienced software developers ready to advance their status, Exam Ref focuses on the critical-thinking and decision-making acumen needed for success at the Microsoft Specialist level.

Manage Program Flow, Create and Use Type, Debug Applications and Implement Security, Implement Data Access are one of the most important topics for the exam and this book does these topics justice.

C# 4.0 The Complete Reference

(By: Herbert Schildt )

This book is simply amazing. The author is a god in programming. The only topic this book is lacking is database connectivity apart from that this book is just perfect.

This is also a good book for people with no programming knowledge as it gives a great explanation. Using carefully crafted explanations, insider tips, and hundreds of examples, C# 4.0: The Complete Reference offers in-depth details on all aspects of C#, including keywords, syntax, and core libraries. New C# 4.0 features, such as named and optional arguments, the dynamic type, expanded covariance and contravariance capabilities, and support for parallel programming with the Task Parallel Library (TPL) and PLINQ are also discussed.

Those are the topics that I personally found very interesting. You should check out this book and many other books listed here for this topic. This book is perfect for beginners and professional C# programmers alike, this expert resource is written in the clear, crisp, uncompromising style that has made Herb the choice of millions worldwide.

Herbert Schildt is a leading authority on C#, C++, C, and Java. His programming books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into all major languages.

C# 5.0 Pocket Reference: Instant Help for C# 5.0 Programmers

(By: Joseph Albahari, Ben Albahari )

This little book is great when you don't feel like toting around the full version of C# 5.0 in a Nutshell. It is chapters 2,3, and 4 of C# 5.0 in a Nutshell. When you need answers for programming with C# 5.0, this practical and tightly focused book tells you exactly what you need to know without long introductions or bloated samples.

Easy to browse, its ideal as a quick reference or as a guide to get you rapidly up to speed if you already know Java, C++ or an earlier version of C#. Written by the authors of C# 5.0 in a Nutshell, this book covers the entire C# 5.0 language, including: All of C#s fundamentals, LINQ, starting with sequences, lazy execution and standard query operators and finishing with a complete reference to query expressions, Unsafe code & pointers, custom attributes, preprocessor directives and XML documentation and many more.

Microsoft Visual C# 2013 Step by Step (Step by Step Developer)

(By: John Sharp )
This is the book you wish you had. As the name says, this book takes the readers through the concepts of C# step by step. Probably the best book in C#. It gets along well with visual studio 2013. It is good for you if you are too stability-conscious because visual studio 2013 and windows 8.1 are older and so more stable.

Using this book, you can create and debug C# applications in Visual Studio 2013. It also teaches work with variables, identifiers, statements, operators, and methods, creates interfaces and defines abstract classes. Write robust code that can catch and handle exceptions.

Display and edit data using data binding with the Microsoft ADO.NET Entity Framework. Respond to user input and touch screen gestures. Handle events arising from multiple sources Develop your first Windows 8.1 apps.

Head First C#

(By: Andrew Stellman, Jennifer Greene )
This book is like it is straight out of a fairytale. This book is easily one of the most interactive books in the list.

It clears the doubts of the readers on the spot. The looks of the chapters are attractive and it keeps the readers engaged to form the start to the end. I recommend this book to the readers who are new to coding altogether.

You'll build a fully functional video game in the opening chapter and then learn how to use classes and object-oriented programming, draw graphics and animation and query data with LINQ and serialize it to files. And you will do it all by creating games, solving puzzles and doing hands-on projects.

By the time, you're done, you will be a solid C# programmer and you will have a great time along the way! I used this book to develop apps in windows 8.0 and not 8.1. Do realize that for developing for 8.1 there are better resources listed in this article.

CLR via C# (Developer Reference)

(By: Jeffrey Richter )

This book is good for the Novice developer. If you are 2-3-year experience, this book is the best book. This book is a good read to understand how things work under the hood. I very much like the content of the book. This book is needed to understand the inner working of .NET. Great collection of information.

Dig deep and master the intricacies of the common language runtime, C#, and .NET development. Led by programming expert Jeffrey Richter, a longtime consultant to the Microsoft .NET team-you’ll gain pragmatic insights for building robust, reliable and responsive apps and components.

Hi, I am Viswanath.  I make applications and websites in my free time.  My favorite material is an online tutorial and it is free!  Here: