Learn C# language basics, including variables, arrays, logic, looping, methods, and classes, and then move on to Object Oriented Programming – all in easy steps! 

View Table of Contents and first chapter – free!

Unlock the power of C# and start creating professional-grade applications — the easy way! C# Programming in easy steps, 4th edition is your beginner-friendly guide to one of the world’s most popular programming languages. In Easy Steps, and with crystal-clear, syntax-highlighted examples (free to download), you’ll quickly gain the skills to code with confidence. Discover how to:

• Build a solid foundation with C# essentials — variables, arrays, logic, loops, methods, and classes.
• Grasp Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) to structure your projects like a pro.
• Create real-world applications for Windows desktops, and Universal apps that run seamlessly across multiple devices.
• Debug with ease using proven techniques to detect and fix errors fast.

You need have no previous knowledge of any programming language, so it’s ideal for newcomers to computer programming.

Also ideal for:

• Programmers moving from another programming language.
• Students who are studying C# programming at school or college.
• Those seeking a career in computing who need a fundamental understanding of procedural programming.

All examples are illustrated using C#11 and .NET9, and also run seamlessly on C#14 and .NET10. (Please check the Updates tab for updated pages.)

About the author

1. Getting started
2. Storing values
3. Performing operations
4. Making statements
5. Devising methods
6. Handling strings
7. Accessing files
8. Solving problems
9. Programming objects
10. Controlling events
11. Developing desktop apps
12. Developing universal apps

Download the original source code for checking against your own work from our Downloads page

Updates for Visual Studio 2026

Since this book was published, Visual Studio 2026 has been released. However, all code examples in the book work both in VS2022 and VS2026.

You can download a new source code ZIP archive of all examples compiled in VS2026 for C#14 and .NET10 from our Downloads page.

Page updates relating to the release of VS2026 can be found below:

Pg 10 – updated system requirements table and final paragraph updated for both 2022 and 2026 versions
Pg 11 – screenshots updated
Pg 12 – screenshots updated
Pg 13 – screenshot updated
Pg 14 – screenshot updated
Pg 16 – screenshot updated
Pg 17– screenshot updated
Pg 158 – new Hot tip added

We updated the above pages on 20th November 2025 in the Library edition and in the ebook edition that’s available to purchase from our online shop.

Other updates:

Pg 79 – updated to add a new Step 6 and renumber rest of steps (23rd February 2026). This has also been updated in the Library edition and the ebook edition that’s available to purchase from our online shop.

Chapter 12 update:

Since publication of C# Programming in easy steps, 4th edition, Microsoft has made significant changes to Visual Studio that deliberately demotes the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) demonstrated in Chapter 12 of the book. The UWP workload has been replaced with a new Windows application development workload centered on WinUI 3 and the Windows App SDK. Visual Studio now promotes WinUI 3 templates and bundles its tooling by default. The .NET package previously used in UWP projects is no longer available. The XAML Designer has also been retired, reflecting Microsoft’s shift toward a more modern, code-first workflow. Chapter 12 has been revised (2nd April 2026) so that the interactive “Lotto” example app can now be created using the WinUI 3 framework:

Chapter 12 updated April 2026

Table of Contents updated to reflect changes in Chapter 12

The Library edition and ebook edition have been updated accordingly on 2nd April 2026.