C# and the .NET Platform - Andrew Troelsen

1187 Pages·2004·21.39 MB·English

by  Andrew Troelsen

C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
Apress © 2003 (1200 pages)
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
architectural issues for .NET developers.

Table of Contents
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Introduction
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Back Cover
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition starts with a brief overview of the C# language and then quickly moves
Apress © 2003 (1200 pages)
to key technical and architectural issues for .NET developers. Not only is there extensive coverage of the .NET
Framework, but AndTrheiws cTormoeplsreehne anlssiov es htoewxts sptarortgsr awmitmh ear sb rwiehf aotv tehrevyie nwe eodf tthoe know about such necessary, but
subtle, areas as the Cp#ro lpaenrg uusaeg eo fa tnhdr ethadesn aqnudic khloyw m toov leesv etora kgeey t hteec nhenwic a.lN aEnTd remoting protocol. Readers will also
see how to use C# faorrc hGiUteIc atuprpalilc iastsiuoenss fwoirt h.N aE Tco dmepvleelotep edrissc.ussion of Windows Forms, custom controls, and GDI+.
There are equally useful discussions on how to use C# and .NET for Web development, Web services, and data
access using ADO.NET. From Windows-based to Web-based applications, it's all here. There are detailed discussions
Table of Contents
of every aspect of .NET development and useful examples with no toy code.
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Introduction About the Author
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Andrew Troelsen is a partner, trainer, and consultant at Intertech-Inc., a .NET and J2EE developer education center
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
(http://www.intertech-inc.com). He is a leading authority on both .NET and COM. His earlier five-star treatment of
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
traditional COM in the best-selling Developer's Workshop to COM and ATL 3.0 is mirrored in his latest book, COM
aPnadr t. NTEwTo I -n tTehreo pCe#ra Pbriloitgyr,a amnmd ihnigs Laawnagrdu-awgienning treatment of C# in C# and the .NET Platform, as well as his five-
sCtahra ipntveer s3tiga-tiCon# oLfa VnBgu .aNgEeT Finu nVdisaumael nBtaaslsic .NET and the .NET Platform: An Advanced Guide. He has a degree in
mathematical linguistics and South Asian studies from the University of Minnesota and is a frequent speaker at
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
numerous .NET-related conferences.
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables
C# and thC#e a n.dN thEe .TNE TP Pllaatftorfmo, rSemco,n dS Edeiticonond Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
ANDREW TROELSEN
Apress © 2003 (1200 pages)
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
architectural issues for .NET developers.

Table of Contents
CC# oapnydr igthhet .©N E2T0 0P3la tbfyo rAmn,d Sreecwo nTdr oEedlisteionn
Introduction
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval
Cshyasptteemr 2, wi-thBouuitl dtihneg pCr#io rA wpprliitcteanti opnesrmission of the copyright owner and the publisher.
PIaSrtB TNw: o1 --5 T9h0e5 9C#-0 5P5ro-4gramming Language
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
CPharipntteerd 4 an-d Obbojuencdt- Oinr itehnet eUdn Pitreodg rSatmatmeisn go fw Aitmh eCr#ica 12345678910
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Trademarked names may appear in this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
of a trademarked name, we use the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
PTaretc Thhnreicea -l PRreovgireawmemrisn:g G wreitgho .rNyE AT. A Bsesaemmbelri,e sGary Cornell, Eric Gunnerson, Joe Nalewabau, Kent
CShahpatrekre 9y, N-icUkn dSeyrmstmanodnindgs ,. NPEraT dAesespem Tbalpieasdiya
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Editorial Directors: Dan Appleman, Gary Cornell, Simon Hayes, Martin Streicher, Karen Watterson, John
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Zukowski
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Assistant Publisher: Grace Wong
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
CChaoppteyr E 1d4it-orAs B: eAtntenre P Fairnietidnmg aFrna amnedw Aormk i( KGDnoI+x)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Proofreader: Liz Berry
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Production Goddess: Susan Glinert Stevens
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
CIhnadpetexre 1r:8 R-oAnS SP.tNraEuTs sWeb Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Artist and Cover Designer: Kurt Krames
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
Manufacturing Manager: Tom Debolski
List of Figures
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For information on translations, please contact Apress directly at 2560 Ninth Street, Suite 219, Berkeley,
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The information in this book is distributed on an "as is" basis, without warranty. Although every precaution
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The source code for this book is available to readers at http://www.apress.com in the Downloads
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
section.
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
I would like to dedAipcraetses t©h i2s0 0b3o (o1k20 t0o p amgyes )father, Wally Troelsen. Thanks, Dad, for all of your support over
the years and theT yheisa crosm top rceohmen es.ive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
Luv ya, architectural issues for .NET developers.
Damn Kid

TaAbbleo ouft Cthoen tAeuntthsor
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Andrew Troelsen is a partner, trainer, and consultant at Intertech-Inc., a .NET and J2EE developer
Introduction
education center (http://www.intertech-inc.com). He is a leading authority on both .NET and
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
COM. His earlier five-star treatment of traditional COM in the best-selling Developer's Workshop to COM
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
and ATL 3.0 is mirrored in his latest book, COM and .NET Interoperability, and his award-winning
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
treatment of C# in C# and the .NET Platform, as well as his five-star investigation of VB .NET in Visual
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
Basic .NET and the .NET Platform: An Advanced Guide. He has a degree in mathematical linguistics and
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
South Asian studies from the University of Minnesota and is a frequent speaker at numerous .NET-related
Cchoanptfeerr e4nce-sO.bject-Oriented Programming with C#
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
CHhaep cteurr r6ent-lyI nlivteersf aince Ms iannnde aCpololelicst,i oMnisnnesota, with his wife Amanda, and spends his free time investigating
C.hNaEptTe ra 7nd w- aCiatilnlbga cfokr Itnhtee rWfacileds t,o D welieng tahtee sS, taanndle Eyv Cenutps, the Vikings to win the Super Bowl (before he retires
would be nice), and the Timberwolves to grab numerous NBA championship titles.
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Acknowledgments
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
CChaopmteprl e1t0in-g Pthroec seessceosn, dA pepdDitioomn aoinf sC, #C aonntde xthtse, .aNnEd TT hPrleaatdfosrm would have been completely impossible
Cwhaitphtoeur t1 t1he- aTsyspiest aRnefcleec atinond, taLaleten tB oinffdeinregd, abnyd n Autmtriebruotue-sB inasdeivdi dPuroaglsr.a Fmirmstin ogf all, many thanks to my copy
Peardti tFoorsu,r A- nLneeve Frarigeidnmg athne a .nNdE TA Lmibi rKanrioexs. Both of you, as always, did an outstanding job massaging my raw
Cmhaapnteurs c1r2ip-t iOnbtoje ac tp Soelirsiahleizda tpiorond auncdt .t (hSee .eN EyTo uR ebmotoht ionng tLhaey enrextbook?) Next, I must thank the numerous
Ctheacphtneric 1a3l r-evBieuiwldeinrsg wa hBoe tttoeork W thined otimw e(I ntot rroedaudc itnhge Wsei ncdhoawpst eFrosr mfosr) any coding faux pas: Gregory A. Beamer,
CGhaaprtye rC 1o4rn-elAl, BEeritcte Gr uPaninnetirnsgo nFr, aJmoeew Noarkle (wGaDbIa+u), Kent Sharkey, Nick Symmonds, and Pradeep Tapadiya.
CShappetceira l1 t5ha-nPkrso gtora Bmemthin Cgh wriisthtm Waisn,d Rowons FSotrramuss Cs,o Sntursoalsn Glinert Stevens, and Liz Berry, whose combined
efforts formatted, indexed, and finalized this text to completion. Of course, any remaining errors (spelling,
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
coding, or otherwise) that may have snuck into this book are my sole responsibility.
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
I also must say a huge thanks to all of those at Apress who have made a publishing company that is a
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
pleasure to work with. Thanks to Hollie Fisher (for many things), Doris Wong (for many more things), and
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Grace Wong, my chaka friend, for not totally blasting me into pieces when I abused the phrase "I'll get it to
Cyhoaupt teord 2a0y"- oXnMeL t oWoe mb aSenryv tiicmeses.
Index
LiTsth aofn kFisg utor emsy friends and family who (once again) tolerated my lack of time and sometimes grumpy
Lidset mofe Taanbolers. More thanks to my friends at Intertech-Inc. (not Tom Salonek, who I still don't like much). Your
support (directly and indirectly) is greatly appreciated. Finally, thanks to my wife Mandy and "all the kids"
for their love and encouragement.
IntroductCi#o annd the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
I remember a timAep yreesasr s© a20g0o3 w(1h20e0n p aI gperso)posed a book to Apress regarding a forthcoming software SDK
named Next GenTehraist ioconm Wprinedheonwssiv Se etrevxict estsa (rNtsG wWithS )a. bArsie yf oouv emrvaieyw a loref athdey know, NGWS eventually
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
became what we now know as the .NET platform. My research of the C# programming language and the
architectural issues for .NET developers.
.NET platform took place in parallel with the authoring of the text. It was a fantastic project; however, I
must confess that it was more than a bit nerve-wracking writing about a technology that was undergoing

drastic changes over the course of its development. It pains me to recall how many chapters had to be
Table of Contents
completely destroyed and rewritten during that time. Thankfully, after many sleepless nights, the first
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
edition of C# and the .NET Platform was published in con-junction with the release of .NET Beta 2, circa
Introduction
the summer of 2001.
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
CShainpcteer t h1at -poThinet , PIh hilaovseop bheye onf e.NxtEreTmely happy and grateful to see that the first edition of this text was very
Cwhaepllt erer c2eiv-edB ubilyd tinhge Cp#re Assp palincda,t imonosst importantly, the readers. Over the years, it was nominated as a Jolt
Paarwt aTrwd ofi n- aTlhiset C(I# lo Psrto .g..r acmramp!i)n ag sL awnegllu aags ethe 2003 Referenceware programming book of the year (I won ...
Cchoaoptl!e)r. 3Alth-oCu#gh L athneg ufiarsgte e Fduintiodnam oef nthtaisls book has enjoyed a good run, it became clear that a second edition
Cwhaapst einr o4rd-erO—bnjeoctt -oOnrliye ntote adc Pcroougnrat mfomr tihnge wchitahn Cg#es brought about with the minor release of the .NET
Cphlaapttfoerr m5, b-uEt xtoc eepxtpioannsd a nudp oOnb jaencdt Limifeptrimovee the existing content. As I write this frontmatter, version 1.1 of the
C.hNaEptTe rp 6latfo-rImnt eisr fjaucsets a abnodu tC oofllfeiccitaiol,n asnd I am happy to say that C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition is
Cbheapintger r e7lea-sCeadl lbina ctakn Idnetemrf.aces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
As in the first edition, this second edition presents the C# programming language and .NET base class
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
libraries using a friendly and approachable tone. I have never under-stood the need some technical
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
authors have to spit out prose that reads more like a GRE vocabulary study guide than a readable
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
discourse. As well, this new edition remains focused on providing you with the information you need to
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
build software solutions today, rather than spending too much time focusing on esoteric details that few
Pianrdt iFvioduura -l sL ewvilel reavgeinr ga cthtuea .lNlyE cTa Lrieb raabrioeust. To this end, when I do dive under the hood and check out some
Cmhaoprtee rl o1w2-l-evOeblj efucnt cSteiorinaalizlitayt ioonf tahned C thLeR . (NoErT b Rloecmkost oinfg C LIaLy ceorde), I promise it will prove enlightening (rather
Cthhaapnte sri m13pl-e Beuyield cinagn ad yB)e.tter Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
CWhapete r' r1e5 -aP rTogeraammmi,n gY woituh Wainnddow Is Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
CThaepcthenr o1l7og-y Daauttah oArcsc ewsrsi tew iftohr AaD dOe.NmEaTnding group of people (I should know, I'm one of them). You know
Ptahrat tF bivueil d- iWnge bs oAfptwpalicrea tsioonlust iaonnds XuMsiLn gW aenby S pelravtifcoersm is extremely detailed and is very specific to your
Cdheapptaerrt m18en-t,A cSoPm.NpEaTn Wy,e cbl iePangt ebsa saend, aWnedb s Cuobnjetrcot lsmatter. Perhaps you work in the electronic publishing
Cihnadputsetrr y1,9 d-evAeSlPo.pN sEyTs Wteembs A fpoprl itchaet iostnaste or local government, work at NASA or a branch of the military.
CShappetaekr in2g0 f-orX MmLy sWeelfb, IS hearvviece dseveloped children's educational software, various n-tier systems, as well as
Innduemxerous projects within the medical and financial world. The chances are almost 100 percent that the
Licsot doef Fyioguu rwesrite at your place of employment has little to do with the code I write at mine (unless we
happened to work together previously!).
List of Tables
Therefore, in this book, I have deliberately chosen to avoid creating examples that tie the example code to
a specific industry or vein of programming. Rather, I choose to explain C#, OOP, the CLR, and the .NET
base class libraries using industry-agnostic examples. Rather than having every blessed example fill a grid
with data, calculate payroll, or whatnot, I'll stick to subject matter we can all relate to: automobiles (with
some geometric structures and employees thrown in for good measure). And that's where you come in.
My job is to explain the C# programming language and the core aspects of the .NET platform the best I
possibly can. As well, I will do everything I can to equip you with the tools and strategies you need to
continue your studies at this book's conclusion. Your job is to take this information and apply it to your
specific programming assignments.
I obviously understand that your projects most likely don't revolve around automobiles with pet names;
however, that's what applied knowledge is all about! Rest assured, once you understand the concepts
presented within this text, you will be in a perfect position to build .NET solutions that map to your own
unique programming environment.
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
Apress © 2003 (1200 pages)
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
architectural issues for .NET developers.

Table of Contents
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Introduction
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables
An Overview of the Second Edition
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
C# and the .NET APplraetsfosr ©m 2, 0S03e c(1o2n00d pEagdeisti)on is logically divided into five distinct sections, each of which
contains some number of chapters that somehow "belong together." If you read the first edition of this text,
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
you will notice somC#e lsainmgiulaargiteie asn idn tchheanp qteuric nkalym meosv; ehso twoe kveeyr ,t ebceh aniwcaalr ean tdhat just about every page has been
updated with newa rccohnitteecnttu. rYalo ius swuiells aflosro . NnEoTtic dee vthealot pseorms.e topics in the first edition (such as .NET
delegates) have been moved into an entire chapter of their very own. Of course, as you would hope, the
second edition contains several brand new chapters (such as an exploration of .NET Remoting, and a
Tambluec ohf d Ceoenpteern etxsamination of ASP.NET).
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
InOtrno dthuec tfiloipn side, I did choose to remove some topics from the second edition to make room for new
content. The most notable omission is the topic of COM and .NET interoperability, which in no way, shape,
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
or form reflects the importance of this topic. In fact, I felt this topic was so important, that I wrote an entire
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
book on the subject. If you require a detailed examination, check out COM and .NET Interoperability
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
(Apress, 2002).
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
These things being said, here is a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the text.
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part One: Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
Chapter 1: ATphreess P© 2h00i3l o(12s00o ppagehs)y of .NET
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
This first chapter functions as the backbone for the remainder of this text. We begin by examining the
architectural issues for .NET developers.
world of traditional Windows development and uncover the short-comings with the previous state of affairs.
The primary goal of this chapter, however, is to acquaint you with a number of .NET-centric building blocks

such as the common language runtime (CLR), Common Type System (CTS), Common Language
Table of Contents
Specification (CLS), and the base class libraries. You also take an initial look at the C# programming
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
language, the role of the .NET assembly, and various development utilities that ship with the .NET SDK.
Introduction
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Chapter 2: Building C# Applications
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
The goal of this chapter is to introduce you to the process of compiling and debugging C# source code
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
files using various approaches. First, you learn to make use of the command-line compiler (csc.exe) and
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
examine each of the corresponding command-line flags. Over the remainder of the chapter, you learn
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
how to make use of the Visual Studio .NET IDE, navigate the official .NET help system (MSDN), and
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
understand the role of XML-based source code comments.
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part Two: The C# Programming Language
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
Chapter 3: ACpr#e sLs ©a 2n00g3 (u12a00g paege sF)undamentals
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
This chapter examines the core constructs of the C# programming language. Here you come to
architectural issues for .NET developers.
understand basic class construction techniques, the distinction between value types and reference types,
iteration and decision constructs, boxing and unboxing, and the role of everybody's favorite base class,

System.Object. Also, Chapter 3 illustrates how the .NET platform places a spin on various commonplace
Table of Contents
programming constructs such as enumerations, arrays, and string processing.
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
Introduction
Chapter 4: Object-Oriented Programming with C#
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
The role of Chapter 4 is to examine the details of how C# accounts for each "pillar" of object-oriented
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
programming: encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. In addition to examining the syntax used to
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
build class hierarchies, you are exposed to various tools within Visual Studio .NET which may be used to
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
decrease your typing time.
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 5: Exceptions and Object Lifetime
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
Here you learn how to handle runtime anomalies using the official error handling mechanism of the .NET
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
platform: structured exception handling. As you will see, exceptions are class types that contain
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
information regarding the error at hand and can be manipulated using the "try", "catch", "throw", and
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
"finally" keywords of C#. The latter half of this chapter examines how the CLR manages the memory
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
consumed by allocated objects using an associated garbage collector. This discussion also examines the
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
role of the IDisposable interface, which is a perfect lead-in to the next chapter.
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
Chapter 6: Interfaces and Collections
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
This material builds upon your understanding of object-based development by checking out the topic of
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
interface-based programming. Here you learn how to define types that support multiple behaviors, how to
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
discover these behaviors at runtime, and how to selectively hide select behaviors using explicit interface
Cihmapplteemr 1e7nt-atDioant.a TAoc csehsos wwcitahs eA DthOe.N uEsTefulness of interface types, the remainder of this chapter examines
Ptahret FSivyse te- mW.eCbo Allpepcltiicoantsio nnasm aneds pXaMcLe .W Aesb y Soeur vwicilel ssee, this region of the base class libraries contains
Cnhuapmteerr o1u8s -tyApSePs. NthEaTt Wmeaby Pbaeg euss eadn do uWte obf Cthoen tbroolxs, or serve as a foundation for the development of strongly
Cthyappetder c 1o9lle-cAtioSnP.sN.ET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
InCdehxapter 7: Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
List of Figures
LiTsth oisf cThaabpletser begins by examining how interface-based programming techniques can be used to build an
event-based system. This will function as a point of contrast to the meat of Chapter 7: the delegate type.
Simply put, a .NET delegate is an object that "points" to other methods in your application. Using this
pattern, you are able to build systems that allow multiple objects to engage in a two-way conversation.
After you examine the use of .NET delegates, you are then introduced to the C# "event" keyword, which is
used to simplify the manipulation of raw delegate programming.
Chapter 8: Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
The final chapter of this section completes your study of the C# programming language by introducing you
to a number of advanced programming techniques. For example, here you learn how to overload
operators and create custom conversion routines (both implicit and explicit), as well how to manipulate C-
style pointers within a *.cs code file. This chapter also takes the time to explain how these C#-centric
programming constructs can be accessed by other .NET programming languages (such as Visual Basic
.NET), which is a natural lead-in to the topic of .NET assemblies.
Part Three: Programming with .NET Assemblies
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
by Andrew Troelsen ISBN:1590590554
Chapter 9: AUprnesds e© r20s03t a(1n200d piangegs) .NET Assemblies
This comprehensive text starts with a brief overview of the
C# language and then quickly moves to key technical and
From a very high level, an assembly can be considered the term used to describe a managed *.dll or *.exe
architectural issues for .NET developers.
file. However, the true story of .NET assemblies is far richer than that. Here you learn the distinction
between single-file and multifile assemblies and how to build and deploy each entity. Next, this chapter

examines how private and shared assemblies may be configured using XML-based *.config files and
Table of Contents
publisher policy *.dlls. Along the way, you investigate the internal structure of the Global Assembly Cache
C# and the .NET Platform, Second Edition
(GAC) and learn how to force Visual Studio .NET to display your custom assemblies within the Add
Introduction
Reference dialog box (trust me, this is one of the most common questions I am asked).
Part One - Introducing C# and the .NET Platform
Chapter 1 - The Philosophy of .NET
Chapter 10: Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Chapter 2 - Building C# Applications
Part Two - The C# Programming Language
Now that you have a solid understanding of assemblies, this chapter dives much deeper into the
Chapter 3 - C# Language Fundamentals
composition of a loaded .NET executable. The goal of Chapter 10 is to define several terms and illustrate
Chapter 4 - Object-Oriented Programming with C#
the relationship between processes, application domains, contextual boundaries, and threads. Once these
Chapter 5 - Exceptions and Object Lifetime
terms have been qualified, the remainder of this chapter is devoted to the topic of building multithread
Chapter 6 - Interfaces and Collections
applications using the types of the System.Threading namespace. Be aware that the information
Chapter 7 - Callback Interfaces, Delegates, and Events
presented here provides a solid foundation for understanding the .NET Remoting layer (examined in
Chapter 8 - Advanced C# Type Construction Techniques
Chapter 12).
Part Three - Programming with .NET Assemblies
Chapter 9 - Understanding .NET Assemblies
Chapter 11: Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based
Chapter 10 - Processes, AppDomains, Contexts, and Threads
Programming
Chapter 11 - Type Reflection, Late Binding, and Attribute-Based Programming
Part Four - Leveraging the .NET Libraries
Chapter 11 concludes our examination of .NET assemblies by checking out the process of runtime type
Chapter 12 - Object Serialization and the .NET Remoting Layer
discovery via the System.Reflection namespace. Using these types, you are able to build applications that
Chapter 13 - Building a Better Window (Introducing Windows Forms)
can read an assembly's metadata on the fly (think object browsers). Next, you learn how to dynamically
Chapter 14 - A Better Painting Framework (GDI+)
activate and manipulate types at runtime using late binding. The final topic of this chapter explores the role
Chapter 15 - Programming with Windows Forms Controls
of .NET attributes (both standard and custom). To illustrate the usefulness of each of these topics, the
Chapter 16 - The System.IO Namespace
chapter concludes with the construction of an extendable Windows Forms application.
Chapter 17 - Data Access with ADO.NET
Part Five - Web Applications and XML Web Services
Chapter 18 - ASP.NET Web Pages and Web Controls
Chapter 19 - ASP.NET Web Applications
Chapter 20 - XML Web Services
Index
List of Figures
List of Tables