How to Lern .NET?

• .NET Framework
• Any .Net Language
• ADO.NET
• OOP
• ASP.NET/WinForms

Above is the .NET Framework Diagram
How to start .NET
It is assumed that you have some level of exposure to programming and now you want to learn .NET or already you are a .NET programmer but want to refresh your skills. Both of you are welcomed.

First you should install Visual Studio on your computer (if you are using VS2005,install sqlserver separately). It is always a good idea to buy some good books. The budget depend on your pocket. Initially it is OK to buy a total 3 books-for .NET Framework, ADO.NET and C#.NET / VB.NET- I personally refer you the following books, though I have come across a plenty of other good ones.

• .Net Framework Essentials By Thuan L. Thai, Hoang Q. Lam
• ADO.NET in a Nutshell By Bill Hamilton, Matthew MacDonald
• Programming C# By Jesse Liberty

If you don't want to spend money on books then it is fine to depend on Internet. Many .net sites and pdf documents are easily accessible.Try out

http://www.w3schools.com/ngws/default.asp

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa497313.aspx

http://www.codeproject.com

http://www.gotdotnet.com

Learning Strategy
Now you are ready to start! You want to know what is significant about .net. Dot Net framework contains a base class library which you can use in your programmes, CLR-The engine to execute your code, Programming Languages-C #,VB.NET,J# etc. ADO.NET-for database programming.

So learning .net is learning all these. Part of learning a programming language is to know the scope of the language-Where it can be used? How much potential it has? etc. Start with .NET Framework and parallely learn C#.NET. (Look at the below List to have an idea on what to learn in each of these). Once you are confident enough to write simple programs, then go for ADO.NET which is the database specific portion of .net.

Essential Things to Learn
.NET Framework
CLR,IL, ildsm.exe, Side by Side Execution, GAC, CTS, Assembly, Metadata, Manifest, Memory management etc.

Any of the .Net Languages (C# or VB.NET)
Control structures, datatypes, Classes, Functions, Structure, Constructor, Abstract Class , Interface, delegate, events etc.

ADO.NET
ADO Classes- DataSet, DataTable, Data Adapter, Connection, Providers, dataview, dataview manager, DataReation etc.

OOP Basics
Elements of OOP (Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Modularity etc.), Knowledge on Componentization. (visit http://fascinatingoops.blogspot.com)

ASP.NET/WinForms
Creating a Form .Menu,Controls(TreeView,Datagrid etc), event handling,passing data between forms, data Binding,

How much time it will take?
It depends! But usually 4-8 weeks is enough if you have some exposure to programming languages. Try spending 1-4 hrs per day. 2 hrs is optimal. Divide your time in such a way that at the initial stage, for the first 10 hrs, learn .NET Framework and make an idea about it. Then without wasting time, do your "hello world". Then onwards emphasis should be given equally for programming and reading. Try out those concepts you read. After 1 or 2 months you can decide your own strategy based on your personal traits.

(To be Continued............)