This book is about the C# programming language first and foremost. It is about becoming a proficient C# programmer. Reading this book from cover to cover will not make you a superstar,
but it will make you a programmer who understands what needs to be done when writing robust, stable, and maintainable C# applications.

In this chapter, you’ll get started by acquiring the tools you need to develop C# applications and taking those tools for a test spin. Along the way, you’ll create a couple C# applications.

Downloading and Installing the Tools

Getting started with C# 3.0, you’re probably really excited about writing some code that does something. It’s like getting your driver’s license and wanting to drive a car without even thinking about where you want to drive. You just want to drive. The great part of .NET is that you can start writing some code after you have installed either the .NET software development kit (.NET SDK) or a Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE). Downloading and installing the right environment is critical to taking your first step toward an enjoyable coding experience.

Note: Software version numbers, product descriptions, and technologies can be confusing. Having used Microsoft technologies for over a decade, I can say that naming a technology or product has never been Microsoft’s strong point. The technologies have (for the most part) been great, but product classification and identification have not been so great. Thus, this book covers the C# 3.0 programming language that is used to write applications for the .NET Framework. With C# 3.0, the .NET 3.0 and 3.5 Frameworks are used. .NET 3.0 gives you all of the essentials, and .NET 3.5 gives you the extras.