Introduction to C#

Raimonds Rudmanis
Senior Consultant
Microsoft Baltic

Session Prerequisites

This session assumes that you

understand the fundamentals of

Object oriented programming

This is a Level 200 Session

What Will Be Covered Today

Brief introduction to the

.NET framework
C# language overview

Agenda

Hello World
The .NET Framework
Design Goals of C#
Language Features

Hello World

DEMO 1: Hello World

using System;
class Hello
{
static void Main() {
Console.WriteLine("Hello world");
}
}

Agenda

Hello World
The .NET Framework
Design Goals of C#
Language Features

The .NET Framework

Overview
VB

C++

C#

JScript

ASP.NET: Web Services

And Web Forms

Windows
forms

ADO.NET: Data and XML

Base Class Library
Common Language Runtime

Visual Studio.NET

Common Language Specification

The .NET Framework

Common Language Runtime

VB

C++

C#

JScript

ASP.NET: Web Services

and Web Forms

Windows
Forms

ADO.NET: Data and XML

Base Class Library
Common Language Runtime

Visual Studio.NET

Common Language Specification

The .NET Framework

Common Language Runtime

New Runtime Environment Common

Language Runtime

Language Interoperability
Common Classes for all Languages
Common Types for all Languages
Runtime Controls Compilation to Machine
Code
Assemblies
Application Domains

The .NET Framework

Common Language Runtime

Simplified development
XCOPY deployment
Scalability
Rich Web clients and safe Web hosting
Potentially multi-platform
Multiple languages (cross inheritance)
Increases productivity
Robust and secure execution environment

.NET Framework and CLR

CLR Execution Model
Source
code
Managed
code

VB

C#

C++

Compiler

Compiler

Compiler

Assembly
IL Code

Assembly
IL Code

Assembly
IL Code

Common Language Runtime

JIT Compiler
Native Code

Operating System Services

Unmanaged
Component

The .NET Framework

.NET Framework Services
VB

C++

C#

JScript

ASP.NET: Web Services

and Web Forms

Windows
Forms

ADO.NET: Data and XML

Base Class Library
Common Language Runtime

Visual Studio.NET

Common Language Specification

The .NET Framework

.NET Framework Services

ASP.NET

Windows Forms

Framework for building rich clients

ADO.NET, Evolution of ADO

Separation of code and presentation

Compiled
Web Forms
Web Services

New objects (e.g., DataSets)

XML support throughout

Agenda

Hello World
The .NET Framework
Design Goals of C#
Language Features

Design Goals of C#
The Big Ideas

The first Component Oriented

language in the C/C++ family
Everything really is an object
Next generation robust and
durable software
Preserving your investment

Design Goals of C#

A Component Oriented Language

C# is the first Component Oriented

language in the C/C++ family
Component concepts are first class

Properties, methods, events

Design-time and run-time attributes
Integrated documentation using XML

Enables one-stop programming

No external files like header files, IDL, etc.

Can be embedded in ASP pages

Design Goals of C#

Everything Really Is an Object

Traditional views

C# unifies with no performance cost

C++, Java: Primitive types are magic

and do not interoperate with objects
Smalltalk, Lisp: Primitive types are objects,
but at great performance cost
Deep simplicity throughout system

Improved extensibility and reusability

New primitive types: Decimal, SQL

Collections, etc., work for all types

Design Goals of C#

Robust and Durable Software

Garbage collection

Exceptions

Error handling is not an afterthought

Type-safety

No memory leaks and stray pointers

No uninitialized variables, unsafe casts

Versioning

Pervasive versioning considerations in all

aspects of language design

Design Goals of C#

Preserving Your Investment

C++ Heritage

Real-world useful constructs

Namespaces, enums, pointers (in unsafe

code), unsigned types, etc.
No unnecessary sacrifices
foreach, using, switch on string
decimal type for financial applications
ref and out parameters

Millions of lines of C# code in .NET

Short learning curve

Increased productivity

Design Goals of C#
Interoperability
.NET Languages

XML/SOAP

VB.NET
MC++
JScript
...

C#

COM
OLE Automation
P/Invoke and unsafe code

Dynamic Link Libraries

Agenda

Hello World
The .NET Framework
Design Goals of C#
Language Features

Language Features
Program Structure

Namespaces

Type declarations

Classes, structs, interfaces, enums,

and delegates

Members

Contain types and other namespaces

Constants, fields, methods, properties, indexers,

events, operators, constructors, destructors

Organization

No header files, code written in-line

No declaration order dependence

Language Features
Program Structure
using System;
namespace System.Collections
{
public class Stack
{
Entry top;
public void Push(object data) {
top = new Entry(top, data);
}
public object Pop() {
if (top == null) throw new InvalidOperationException();
object result = top.data;
top = top.next;
return result;
}
}
}

Language Features
Type System

Value types

Directly contain data

Cannot be null

Reference types

Contain references to objects

May be null
int i = 123;
string s = "Hello world";
i
s

123
"Hello world"

Language Features
Type System

Value types

Primitives
Enums
Structs

int i;
enum State { Off, On }
struct Point { int x, y; }

Reference types

Classes
Interfaces
Arrays
Delegates

class Foo: Bar, IFoo {...}

interface IFoo: IBar {...}
string[] a = new string[10];
delegate void Empty();

Language Features
Predefined Types

C# predefined types

Reference
Signed
Unsigned
Character
Floating-point
Logical

object, string
sbyte, short, int, long
byte, ushort, uint, ulong
char
float, double, decimal
bool

Predefined types are simply aliases for

system-provided types

For example, int = System.Int32

Language Features
Classes

Single inheritance
Multiple interface implementation
Class members

Constants, fields, methods,

properties, indexers, events,
operators, constructors, destructors
Static and instance members
Nested types

Member access

Public, protected, internal, private

Language Features
Structs

Like classes, except

Ideal for light weight objects

Stored in-line, not heap allocated

Assignment copies data, not reference
No inheritance
Complex, point, rectangle, color
int, float, double, etc., are all structs

Benefits

No heap allocation, less GC pressure

More efficient use of memory

Language Features
Classes and Structs

struct SPoint { int x, y; ... }

class CPoint { int x, y; ... }
SPoint sp = new SPoint(10, 20);
CPoint cp = new CPoint(10, 20);
sp

10
20

cp

CPoint
10
20

Language Features
Interfaces

Multiple inheritance
Can contain methods, properties,
indexers and events
Private interface implementations
interface IDataBound
{
void Bind(IDataBinder binder);
}
class EditBox: Control, IDataBound
{
void IDataBound.Bind(IDataBinder binder) {...}
}

Language Features
Enums

Strongly typed

No implicit conversions to/from int

Operators: +, -, ++, --, &, |, ^, ~

Can specify underlying type

Byte, short, int, long

enum Color: byte
{
Red
= 1,
Green = 2,
Blue = 4,
Black = 0,
White = Red | Green | Blue,
}

Language Features
Delegates

Object oriented function pointers

Multiple receivers

Each delegate has an invocation list

Thread-safe + and - operations

Foundation for framework events

delegate void MouseEvent(int x, int y);
delegate double Func(double x);
Func func = new Func(Math.Sin);
double x = func(1.0);

Language Features
Unified Type System

Everything is an object

All types ultimately inherit from object

Any piece of data can be stored,
transported, and manipulated with no
extra work
object
Stream

MemoryStream

Hashtable
FileStream

int

double

Language Features
Unified Type System

Boxing

Allocates box, copies value into it

Unboxing

Checks type of box, copies value out

int i = 123;
object o = i;
int j = (int)o;
i

123
System.Int32

o
j

123

123

Language Features
Unified Type System

Benefits

Eliminates wrapper classes

Collection classes work with all types
Replaces OLE Automation's Variant

Lots of examples in .NET framework

string s = string.Format(
"Your total was {0} on {1}", total, date);
ArrayList al = new ArrayList();
al.Add( new Customer() );
al.Add( 1 );
al.Add( "test" );

Language Features
Component Development

What defines a component?

C# has first class support

Properties, methods, events

Integrated help and documentation
Design-time information
Not naming patterns, adapters, etc.
Not external files

Components are easy to build and

to consume

Language Features
Properties

Properties Are Smart Fields

Natural syntax, accessors, inlining

public class Button: Control

{
private string caption;

public string Caption {

get {
return caption;
}
set {
caption = value;
Repaint();
}
}

Button b = new Button();

b.Caption = "OK";
String s = b.Caption;

Language Features
Indexers

Indexers are smart arrays

Can be overloaded

public class ListBox: Control

{
private string[] items;
public string this[int
index] {
get {
return items[index];
}
set {
items[index] = value;
Repaint();
}
}
}

ListBox listBox = new

ListBox();
listBox[0] = "hello";
Console.WriteLine(listBox[0]);

Language Features

Creating and Firing an Event

Define the Event signature

public delegate void EventHandler(object sender,

EventArgs e);

Define the Event and firing logic

public class Button

{
public event EventHandler Click;

protected void OnClick(EventArgs e) {

if (Click != null) Click(this, e);
}

Language Features
Handling an Event

Define and register Event Handler

public class MyForm: Form

{
Button okButton;
public MyForm() {
okButton = new Button(...);
okButton.Caption = "OK";
okButton.Click += new EventHandler(OkButtonClick);
}

void OkButtonClick(object sender, EventArgs e) {

ShowMessage("You pressed the OK button");
}

Language Features

DEMO 2: Creating an Event Handler

Define an Event Handler for a button in a

Windows Forms application

Language Features
Attributes

Associate information with types

and members

Traditional solutions

Documentation URL for a class

Transaction context for a method
XML persistence mapping
Add keywords or pragmas to language
Use external files, e.g., .IDL, .DEF

C# solution: Attributes

Language Features
Attributes

public class OrderProcessor

{
[WebMethod]
public void SubmitOrder(PurchaseOrder order) {...}
}
[XmlRoot("Order", Namespace="urn:acme.b2b-schema.v1")]
public class PurchaseOrder
{
[XmlElement("shipTo")] public Address ShipTo;
[XmlElement("billTo")] public Address BillTo;
[XmlElement("comment")] public string Comment;
[XmlElement("items")]
public Item[] Items;
[XmlAttribute("date")] public DateTime OrderDate;
}
public class Address {...}
public class Item {...}

Language Features
Attributes

Attributes can be

Completely extensible

Simply a class that inherits from System.Attribute

Type-safe

Attached to types and members

Examined at run-time using reflection

Arguments checked at compile-time

Extensive use in .NET framework

XML, Web Services, security, serialization,

component model, COM and P/Invoke interop,
code configuration

What Is A Web Service?

HTML =

user-to-machine
XML/SOAP = machine-to-machine
Leveraging the Web
Same

infrastructure
Same programming model
Anyone can play
Truly

scalable distributed applications

Stateless

and loosely coupled

Both Internet and intranet

How Does It Work?

Find a Service
http://www.uddi.org
Link to DISCO or WSDL document

UDDI

Discovery
Web
Service
Consumer

http://myservice.com
HTML or XML with link to WSDL

How do we talk? (WSDL)

http://myservice.com?wsdl
XML with service descriptions

Lets talk (SOAP)

http://myservice.com/svc1
XML/SOAP BODY

Web
Service

Web Services With .NET

The .NET framework provides
a bi-directional mapping
Application
Concepts

Web

Programs

Data

XML

Objects

Schema

XSD

Classes

Services

WSDL

Methods

Invocation

SOAP

Calls

Web Services With .NET

public class OrderProcessor
{
[WebMethod]
public
void SubmitOrder(PurchaseOrder
<?xml version="1.0"
encoding="utf-8"?>order) {...}
} <soap:Envelope>
<soap:Body>
[XmlRoot("Order",
Namespace="urn:acme.b2b-schema.v1")]
<SubmitOrder>
public class
PurchaseOrder
<Order
date=20010703">
{
<shipTo>Anders Hejlsberg</shipTo>
public string
[XmlElement("shipTo")]
ShipTo; Gates</billTo>
public string ShipTo;
<billTo>Bill
public string
[XmlElement("billTo")]
BillTo;
public
string BillTo;
<comment>Overnight
delivery</comment>
public string
[XmlElement("comment")]
Comment; public string Comment;
<items>
PurchaseOrder
po
= new PurchaseOrder();
public Item[]
[XmlElement("items")]
Items;
public Item[] Items;
<productId>17748933</productId>
po.ShipTo
= Anders
Hejlsberg";
public DateTime
[XmlAttribute("date")]
OrderDate;
public
DateTime OrderDate;
<description>Dom
Perignon</description>
Bill Gates";
} po.BillTo =</items>
po.OrderDate
= DateTime.Today;
</Order>

</SubmitOrder>
OrderProcessor.SubmitOrder(po);
</soap:Body>
</soap:Envelope>

Language Features
DEMO 3: Attributes

Create a Web service by using the

[WebMethod] attribute

Language Features
XML Comments

class XmlElement
{
/// <summary>
///
Returns the attribute with the given name and
///
namespace</summary>
/// <param name="name">
///
The name of the attribute</param>
/// <param name="ns">
///
The namespace of the attribute, or null if
///
the attribute has no namespace</param>
/// <return>
///
The attribute value, or null if the attribute
///
does not exist</return>
/// <seealso cref="GetAttr(string)"/>
///
public string GetAttr(string name, string ns) {
...
}
}

Language Features

DEMO 4: XML Comments

Show how the compiler can auto generate

documentation from the source code using
XML comments

Language Features

Statements and Expressions

High C++ fidelity

if, while, do require bool condition
Switch statement

goto default
in_label;
No fall-through, goto case or goto

switch( argwhile
)
( i<100 )
Goto cant jumpstatic
into {blocks
short x = {32767; // Max short
static short
= in_label:
32767;
casey0:
Foreach statement
int i;
case 1:
i++;
Checked and try
Console.WriteLine(Low);
}
i )goto
//
case
break;
2:error
case 2;
unchecked foreachif{((string
word
in (myArray.words
ifz(=case
i>0
)2: while
checked
((short)(x
Console.WriteLine(Med);
i<100+ )y)); )
statements {
}
break;
Console.WriteLine(Med);
{
Console.WriteLine({0},
void
Foo()
{ ( j>50e)) word)
Expression
FileClass
file;
catch
(OverflowException
default:
break;
if
}
i == 1;
// error
{ default:
Console.WriteLine(High);
goto
out_label;
statements
i =+ OpenFile()
j;
// )
error
ifConsole.WriteLine(e.ToString());
// error
}( file
Console.WriteLine(High);
}
must do work
if}}( (file = out_label:
OpenFile()) != NULL )

Language Features
For Each Statement

Iteration of arrays

public static void Main(string[] args) {

foreach (string s in args) Console.WriteLine(s);
}

Iteration of user-defined collections

foreach (Customer c in customers.OrderBy("name")) {

if (c.Orders.Count != 0) {
...
}
}

Language Features
Parameter Arrays

Can write printf style methods

Type-safe, unlike C++

void printf(string fmt, params object[] args) {

foreach (object x in args) {
...
}
}
printf("%s %i %i", str, int1, int2);
object[] args = new object[3];
args[0] = str;
args[1] = int1;
Args[2] = int2;
printf("%s %i %i", args);

Language Features
Operator Overloading

First class user-defined data types

Used in base class library

Used in the framework

Decimal, DateTime, TimeSpan

Unit, point, rectangle

Used in SQL integration

SQLString, SQLInt16, SQLInt32,

SQLInt64, SQLBool, SQLMoney,
SQLNumeric, SQLFloat

Language Features
Operator Overloading

public struct DBInt

{
public static readonly DBInt Null = new DBInt();
private int value;
private bool defined;
public bool IsNull { get { return !defined; } }
public static DBInt operator +(DBInt x, DBInt y)
{...}

public static implicit operator DBInt(int x) {...}

public static explicit operator int(DBInt x) {...}
DBInt
DBInt
DBInt

x
y
z

=
=
=

123;
DBInt.Null;
x + y;

Language Features
Versioning

Overlooked in most languages

C# allows intent to be expressed

C++ and Java produce fragile base classes

Users unable to express versioning intent
Methods are not virtual by default
C# keywords virtual, override and
new provide context

C# can't guarantee versioning

Can enable (e.g., explicit override)

Can encourage (e.g., smart defaults)

Language Features
Versioning

class
Base
class Base
{
{
} public virtual void Foo() {
}

//
version2 1
// version

Console.WriteLine("Base.Foo");

1
class Derived: Base
// version 2b
2a
{
public
virtual
void
Foo()
{{ {
new public
override
virtual
void
void
Foo()
Foo()
Console.WriteLine("Derived.Foo");
base.Foo();
} Console.WriteLine("Derived.Foo");
} }
}

Language Features
Conditional Compilation

#define, #undef
#if, #elif, #else, #endif

Simple boolean logic

Conditional methods

public class Debug

{
[Conditional("Debug")]
public static void Assert(bool cond, String s) {
if (!cond) {
throw new AssertionException(s);
}
}
}

Language Features
Unsafe Code

COM integration, P/invoke cover most cases

Unsafe code

Declarative pinning

Low-level code without leaving the box

Enables unsafe casts, pointer arithmetic
Fixed statement

Basically inline C
unsafe void Foo() {
char* buf = stackalloc char[256];
for (char* p = buf; p < buf + 256; p++) *p = 0;
...
}

Language Features
Unsafe Code

class FileStream: Stream

{
int handle;
public unsafe int Read(byte[] buffer, int index, int
count) {
int n = 0;
fixed (byte* p = buffer) {
ReadFile(handle, p + index, count, &n, null);
}
return n;
}

[dllimport("kernel32", SetLastError=true)]
static extern unsafe bool ReadFile(int hFile,
void* lpBuffer, int nBytesToRead,
int* nBytesRead, Overlapped* lpOverlapped);

Language Features
COM Support

.Net framework provides great

COM support

TLBIMP imports existing COM classes

TLBEXP exports .NET types

Most users will have a

seamless experience

Language Features
COM Support

Sometimes you need more control

Methods with complicated structures

as arguments
Large TLB only using a few classes

System.Runtime.Interopservices

COM object identification

Parameter and return value marshalling
HRESULT behavior

Language Features
DEMO 5: COM and C#

Call a COM component from C#

Language Features

DEMO 6: Visual Studio .NET

Windows programming with C#

C# And CLI Standardization

Work

begun in September 2000

Submitted to ECMA (www.ecma.ch)
Active involvement by Intel, HP, IBM,
Fujitsu, Plum Hall,
Since December 2001
C#

Language Specification
Common Language Infrastructure (CLI)

C# Books

C# Customers

More Resources

http://msdn.microsoft.com/
C# language specification
C# newsgroups

microsoft.public.dotnet.languages.csharp

Questions?

 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.