API Reference

[x-ice]

Where can i find a full API reference for C# like the reference Sun Microsystems have for Java (http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/...s/index-1.html)?

[Hack]

The MSDN documentation, I think it's a lot better than the Java API one and if you have the .NET Framework SDK or Visual Studio .NET, that same documentation on MSDN is on your hard drive, so it's much faster.

Also, here is a book that I find particuarly helpful.

[jmcilhinney]

MSDN has everything you could possibly want to know, although it's not alphabetically listed like that page you link to. Given that MSDN has fairly sophisticated search capabilities, I wouldn't think that that would be an impediment. Just enter the member name followed by "c#" and you'll find what you want.

[x-ice]

The MSDN documentation, I think it's a lot better than the Java API one and if you have the .NET Framework SDK or Visual Studio .NET, that same documentation on MSDN is on your hard drive, so it's much faster.

Also, here is a book that I find particuarly helpful.

I have Visual C# 2005 Express Edition. Would i have the documentation with that?

[Kasracer]

I have Visual C# 2005 Express Edition. Would i have the documentation with that?

You have the option to install it with Visual C#. So, if you chose you want it, it's on there.

Did you pay attention during the installation?

You can always run the installer again to install the documentation.

[RobDog888]

I believe that the express versions come with a trimmed down version of the help files thats about 86 Mbs or something like that. Its not a separate CD like it is for the full versions.

[Kasracer]

I believe that the express versions come with a trimmed down version of the help files thats about 86 Mbs or something like that. Its not a separate CD like it is for the full versions.

No, they come with the full versions.

You can download the ISO from Microsoft which is about 500MB. if you choose to download the documentation while installing, it downloads about 260MB.

[penagate]

In any case the full documentation is available on MSDN Online.

[RobDog888]

260 MBs is still way too small as the full version of the help for VS is 3 CDs.


For C# Express its 300 MBs just for the help files.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex...p/easytolearn/

Use over 300 MB of online documentation, including samples and walkthroughs in the MSDN Express Library.

[RobDog888]

Seems its an "Optional" option...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/ex...eatures/learn/

The Microsoft MSDN 2005 Express Edition Library is an optional installation component that contains over 300 MB of documentation to help you get started. The Library contains API documentation, samples, walkthroughs, and improved built-in search to simplify finding the content you need.

[RobDog888]

More...

Each Express Edition includes targeted documentation that will help the beginning programmer quickly learn the concepts required to build more advanced applications.

[alexandros]

i don't like msdn.most of the time its information is useless.
also the old good object browser of visual basic 6 is now with less information.

[jmcilhinney]

i don't like msdn.most of the time its information is useless.

Objection your honour! MSDN is the best resource there is for a .NET developer and should almost always be the first place you look for information. It will often need to be supplemented with information from other sources but I've learnt the vast majority of what I know about .NET development from the MSDN library. I genuinely believe that anyone who doesn't find it useful just isn't using it properly. I've actually answered questions on this very forum on subjects I previously knew nothing about simply by doing a search on MSDN. I was answering questions on DataGrids without ever having used one myself. All I did was read the class topic and the member listing topic and most of what was needed for basic use was spelled out right there.