What software will I need to learn in languages ​​supported by Microsoft?

Question

I have a free MSDN account, and now that I own C / C ++ / Java and know some JavaScript, PHP and MySQL, I want to learn some proprietary languages ​​from Microsoft. I am looking to experiment with everything over the next few months - C #, ASP, VB, things that I have not even heard about [insert sentences here] that you have.

However, I do not know anything about the languages ​​and software that I need. I don’t even know what .NET is.

I do not know whether to download Visual Studio 2008 or Visual Studio.NET. I don't know if I need the .NET Framework 1.1 ... there are so many things on MSDN. I don’t even know how to start doing ASP ... Please do not flame me.

I was hoping that with your help I could make a complete list of languages ​​and software and start experimenting. What structure do I need? Should I install regular Windows, professional version or server? What do I need to do with database related data?

There are a lot of questions here, and I would like to get an answer to each, so please contribute as soon as you can. I devote 2 days to downloading and researching the topic myself, but I would like some [professional] people to contribute, because googling these things is simply not enough.

Answer 1

A good start is Visual Studio 2008 . This is an IDE and is the current version.

The installer will make sure that you have the correct .NET versions installed, as well as the SQL Express database .

You can install this on any version of Windows later than Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).

Since you come from the Java / C / C ++ background, you can find C # most similar to what you are used to.

Personally, I would ignore VB.NET and look at F # . However, this was not part of Visual Studio until 2010, but you can download the preview that works with Visual Studio 2008 for free.

Answer 2

Express editions are a good start, they are free. the installation should install any dependencies you need (start time, etc.). There are many other add-ons (ASP.NET MVC is currently an add-on for something smaller than Visual Studio 2010 beta).

I have included a link for 2008 express releases, which are the most current released versions.

Visual Studio Express 2008

Answer 3

I agree with the poster, which said that you need to focus your efforts. First question: are you trying to learn this for development on the Internet or for the desktop?

If the Web, learn ASP.NET; if not, then not.

In ASP.NET, are you planning to just try something fast, or want something longer-term, perhaps using your PHP / MySQL / JS skills? If the first, go to the "normal" ASP.Net (aka Webforms), otherwise go to MVC (which is likely to be more familiar with PHP).

As for languages, it comes down to preference, they are pretty much interchangeable. I prefer C #, and if you are good at Java, this may be true for you too.

Tools, if you have a subscription to MSDN, then Visual Studio 2008 Pro (or Team) is the way to go, get the latest SP, and you have earned it.

Floor

Answer 4

MS-SQL Server 2008 along with .Net 3.5 are just a few other suggestions that I think might be worth dropping them. SQL Server is a Microsoft relational DBMS, which may be worth a little research, so you can somehow compare it with MySQL if you work with relational databases .. Net 3.5 is the latest version of the framework, and maybe It’s a good idea to start with some new features inside the framework with things like LINQ, for example.