10 C# Books That Accelerate Your Software Skills

Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene bring a fresh approach to learning C# with a book designed to engage you through puzzles, exercises, and building real-world applications right from the start. You dive into creating a fully functional game in the opening chapter, then explore object-oriented programming, 3D game development in Unity, and data querying with LINQ. Their method, based on cognitive science, uses a visually rich, interactive format rather than dense text, which helps you grasp complex concepts without frustration. If you want to build practical programming skills with C# and .NET Core in an enjoyable way, this guide offers a solid foundation and hands-on experience.

Mark J. Price's decades of experience with Microsoft and C# culminate in this guide that navigates you through C# 11 and .NET 7 with clarity and precision. You’ll get hands-on with object-oriented programming essentials, data querying using LINQ, and the nuances of ASP.NET Core 7 for web and service development. Chapters transition smoothly from console applications to building real web experiences with Blazor and MVC, reinforcing concepts with practical code examples. This book suits beginners eager to grasp modern C# and intermediate developers aiming to update their skills with the latest framework features.

This tailored book explores C# fundamentals and advanced topics by focusing on your unique background and goals. It examines core language features, object-oriented design, asynchronous programming, and modern .NET development, all aligned with your interests and skill level. By personalizing the content, this book reveals pathways through complex concepts that match your learning style and aspirations, making mastery both accessible and engaging. The tailored approach ensures you concentrate on areas most relevant to your projects and professional growth, bridging expert knowledge with your practical needs. Whether enhancing foundational skills or diving into cutting-edge features, this book offers a customized journey through the evolving C# landscape.

Mark J. Price's two decades of deep involvement with Microsoft and C# shine through in this book, which patiently guides you from foundational programming concepts to advanced .NET 8 features. You'll explore practical uses of C# 12's new tools like type aliasing and primary constructors, then build real-world projects such as web services with ASP.NET Core 8 and Blazor. The chapters on Entity Framework Core and minimal APIs stand out for their clarity, making it easier to confidently handle data and web development tasks. This book suits newcomers wanting to grasp modern C# as well as intermediate developers aiming to update their skills without getting overwhelmed.

Paul and Harvey Deitel's decades of experience crafting programming education shine through in this detailed guide to C# 6. You’ll explore over 170 fully coded applications that bring concepts like LINQ, asynchronous programming, and advanced object-oriented design to life, including a full ATM case study showcasing real-world implementation. This book is tailored for programmers already familiar with high-level languages who want to deepen their mastery of C#’s latest features and best practices. If you aim to build robust, industrial-strength Windows applications with a solid grasp of software engineering principles, this book will meet your expectations without fluff or shortcuts.

Drawing from over two decades of experience and a deep involvement with Microsoft's C# development, Mark J. Price offers a detailed exploration of C# 10 and .NET 6 in this guide. You'll navigate foundational programming concepts like object-oriented design, function debugging, and interface implementation before advancing to practical applications, such as building websites with ASP.NET Core 6 and crafting cross-platform apps using Blazor and EF Core 6. The book balances language fundamentals with modern framework features, making it particularly suitable for programmers aiming to update their skills with the latest Microsoft technologies. If you seek a thorough understanding of C#'s current ecosystem and hands-on practice with Visual Studio tools, this book delivers solid grounding without unnecessary distractions.

This tailored book explores a personalized journey to rapidly enhance your C# programming skills through focused daily actions. It carefully matches your background and specific goals, guiding you through relevant concepts, coding exercises, and practical examples that deepen your understanding of C# fundamentals and advanced topics. By concentrating on your areas of interest and experience level, the book reveals pathways to accelerate learning and skill mastery over a 90-day period. With a tailored approach, it examines key language features, object-oriented design, asynchronous programming, and cross-platform development, offering a custom roadmap that bridges expert knowledge with your personal development needs. This makes mastering C# both achievable and engaging.

What started as Vladimir Khorikov's mission to demystify unit testing evolved into a guide that teaches you how to write tests that truly reflect software quality. Drawing from over 15 years of software development and mentoring, he breaks down the four pillars of effective unit tests and explores common anti-patterns to avoid. You'll gain hands-on insight into mocking, refactoring tests alongside code, and integrating testing throughout your development cycle, all demonstrated with practical C# examples. This book suits developers comfortable with basic unit testing who want to elevate their craft and write tests that improve code reliability and maintainability.

Mark J. Price’s two decades of Microsoft programming and teaching experience shine through in this detailed guide to C# 8.0 and .NET Core 3.0. You’ll gain hands-on skills ranging from mastering new language features like nullable reference types and pattern matching to building cross-platform apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The book breaks down complex areas such as Entity Framework Core for database work and ASP.NET Core for web development, providing examples in Visual Studio Code that suit learners with some prior coding background. If you want a solid foundation that bridges theory with practical applications across desktop, web, and mobile, this book covers that spectrum without overwhelming you with fluff.

Unlike most C# books that skim the surface of language features, Jon Skeet’s book delves deeply into the nuances of C# 6 and 7, blending historical context with forward-looking insights. You’ll explore complex topics like asynchronous programming, string interpolation, and pattern matching, gaining not just how to write code but why the language behaves as it does. Skeet’s background as a senior Google engineer and top Stack Overflow contributor shines through in his clear explanations and thoughtful examples, such as his chapters on composition with tuples and extended pass-by-reference. This book suits intermediate developers aiming to elevate their mastery beyond basics to truly understand C#’s architecture and best practices.

The methods Mark J. Price developed while working closely with Microsoft and authoring official C# courseware reveal themselves throughout this extensive guide to C# 9 and .NET 5. You'll learn not just syntax updates like top-level programs and immutable record types, but also practical skills such as building cross-platform apps with Blazor and Xamarin.Forms, querying data with LINQ, and creating web services using ASP.NET Core 5. This book suits you if you’re stepping into modern C# development or catching up on recent changes, offering detailed examples and exercises that help bridge gaps for developers familiar with older versions. It’s particularly useful if you want to master the latest Microsoft frameworks with hands-on tools like Visual Studio Code.

When Matt Lacey first explored the challenges developers face in building apps across multiple platforms, he realized the need for a unified approach using familiar tools. Drawing on decades of experience in desktop and mobile software, this book guides you through leveraging the Uno Platform to create cross-platform applications with C# and XAML that run seamlessly on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and WebAssembly. You’ll learn to set up your environment, build apps tailored to business scenarios, and integrate additional tools to streamline development. If you’re comfortable with Windows app development and want to extend your skills to multiple platforms without relearning languages, this book offers clear, practical pathways to do so.