book

Microsoft® Visual C#® 2012 Step by Step

by John Sharp

December 2012

Beginner to intermediate

844 pages

25h 38m

English

Microsoft Press

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Who Should Read This BookWho Should Not Read This BookOrganization of This BookFinding Your Best Starting Point in This BookConventions and Features in This BookSystem RequirementsCode SamplesInstalling the Code SamplesUsing the Code SamplesAcknowledgmentsErrata and Book SupportWe Want to Hear from YouStay in Touch
Beginning Programming with the Visual Studio 2012 EnvironmentWriting Your First ProgramUsing NamespacesCreating a Graphical ApplicationExamining the Windows Store AppExamining the WPF ApplicationAdding Code to the Graphical ApplicationSummaryChapter 1 Quick Reference
Understanding StatementsUsing IdentifiersIdentifying KeywordsUsing VariablesNaming VariablesDeclaring VariablesWorking with Primitive Data TypesUnassigned Local VariablesDisplaying Primitive Data Type ValuesUsing Arithmetic OperatorsOperators and TypesExamining Arithmetic OperatorsControlling PrecedenceUsing Associativity to Evaluate ExpressionsAssociativity and the Assignment OperatorIncrementing and Decrementing VariablesPrefix and PostfixDeclaring Implicitly Typed Local VariablesSummaryChapter 2 Quick Reference
Creating MethodsDeclaring a MethodReturning Data from a MethodCalling MethodsSpecifying the Method Call SyntaxApplying ScopeDefining Local ScopeDefining Class ScopeOverloading MethodsWriting MethodsUsing Optional Parameters and Named ArgumentsDefining Optional ParametersPassing Named ArgumentsResolving Ambiguities with Optional Parameters and Named ArgumentsSummaryChapter 3 Quick Reference
Declaring Boolean VariablesUsing Boolean OperatorsUnderstanding Equality and Relational OperatorsUnderstanding Conditional Logical OperatorsShort-CircuitingSummarizing Operator Precedence and AssociativityUsing if Statements to Make DecisionsUnderstanding if Statement SyntaxUsing Blocks to Group StatementsCascading if StatementsUsing switch StatementsUnderstanding switch Statement SyntaxFollowing the switch Statement RulesSummaryChapter 4 Quick Reference
Using Compound Assignment OperatorsWriting while StatementsWriting for StatementsUnderstanding for Statement ScopeWriting do StatementsSummaryChapter 5 Quick Reference
Coping with ErrorsTrying Code and Catching ExceptionsUnhandled ExceptionsUsing Multiple catch HandlersCatching Multiple ExceptionsPropagating ExceptionsUsing Checked and Unchecked Integer ArithmeticWriting Checked StatementsWriting Checked ExpressionsThrowing ExceptionsUsing a finally BlockSummaryChapter 6 Quick Reference

Understanding ClassificationThe Purpose of EncapsulationDefining and Using a ClassControlling AccessibilityWorking with ConstructorsOverloading ConstructorsUnderstanding static Methods and DataCreating a Shared FieldCreating a static Field by Using the const KeywordUnderstanding static ClassesAnonymous ClassesSummaryChapter 7 Quick Reference
Copying Value Type Variables and ClassesUnderstanding Null Values and Nullable TypesUsing Nullable TypesUnderstanding the Properties of Nullable TypesUsing ref and out ParametersCreating ref ParametersCreating out ParametersHow Computer Memory Is OrganizedUsing the Stack and the HeapThe System.Object ClassBoxingUnboxingCasting Data SafelyThe is OperatorThe as OperatorSummaryChapter 8 Quick Reference
Working with EnumerationsDeclaring an EnumerationUsing an EnumerationChoosing Enumeration Literal ValuesChoosing an Enumeration’s Underlying TypeWorking with StructuresDeclaring a StructureUnderstanding Structure and Class DifferencesDeclaring Structure VariablesUnderstanding Structure InitializationCopying Structure VariablesSummaryChapter 9 Quick Reference
Declaring and Creating an ArrayDeclaring Array VariablesCreating an Array InstancePopulating and Using an ArrayCreating an Implicitly Typed ArrayAccessing an Individual Array ElementIterating Through an ArrayPassing Arrays as Parameters and Return Values for a MethodCopying ArraysUsing Multidimensional ArraysCreating Jagged ArraysSummaryChapter 10 Quick Reference
Overloading: A RecapUsing Array ArgumentsDeclaring a params ArrayUsing params object[ ]Using a params ArrayComparing Parameter Arrays and Optional ParametersSummaryChapter 11 Quick Reference
What Is Inheritance?Using InheritanceThe System.Object Class RevisitedCalling Base Class ConstructorsAssigning ClassesDeclaring new MethodsDeclaring virtual MethodsDeclaring override MethodsUnderstanding protected AccessUnderstanding Extension MethodsSummaryChapter 12 Quick Reference
Understanding InterfacesDefining an InterfaceImplementing an InterfaceReferencing a Class Through Its InterfaceWorking with Multiple InterfacesExplicitly Implementing an InterfaceInterface RestrictionsDefining and Using InterfacesAbstract ClassesAbstract MethodsSealed ClassesSealed MethodsImplementing and Using an Abstract ClassSummaryChapter 13 Quick Reference
The Life and Times of an ObjectWriting DestructorsWhy Use the Garbage Collector?How Does the Garbage Collector Work?RecommendationsResource ManagementDisposal MethodsException-Safe DisposalThe using Statement and the IDisposable InterfaceCalling the Dispose Method from a DestructorImplementing Exception-Safe DisposalSummaryChapter 14 Quick Reference
Implementing Encapsulation by Using MethodsWhat Are Properties?Using PropertiesRead-Only PropertiesWrite-Only PropertiesProperty AccessibilityUnderstanding the Property RestrictionsDeclaring Interface PropertiesReplacing Methods with PropertiesGenerating Automatic PropertiesInitializing Objects by Using PropertiesSummaryChapter 15 Quick Reference
What Is an Indexer?An Example That Doesn’t Use IndexersThe Same Example Using IndexersUnderstanding Indexer AccessorsComparing Indexers and ArraysIndexers in InterfacesUsing Indexers in a Windows ApplicationSummaryChapter 16 Quick Reference
The Problem with the object TypeThe Generics SolutionGenerics vs. Generalized ClassesGenerics and ConstraintsCreating a Generic ClassThe Theory of Binary TreesBuilding a Binary Tree Class by Using GenericsCreating a Generic MethodDefining a Generic Method to Build a Binary TreeVariance and Generic InterfacesCovariant InterfacesContravariant InterfacesSummaryChapter 17 Quick Reference
What Are Collection Classes?The List<T> Collection ClassThe LinkedList<T> Collection ClassThe Queue<T> Collection ClassThe Stack<T> Collection ClassThe Dictionary<TKey, TValue> Collection ClassThe SortedList<TKey, TValue> Collection ClassThe HashSet<T> Collection ClassUsing Collection InitializersThe Find Methods, Predicates, and Lambda ExpressionsComparing Arrays and CollectionsUsing Collection Classes to Play CardsSummaryChapter 18 Quick Reference
Enumerating the Elements in a CollectionManually Implementing an EnumeratorImplementing the IEnumerable InterfaceImplementing an Enumerator by Using an IteratorA Simple IteratorDefining an Enumerator for the Tree<TItem> Class by Using an IteratorSummaryChapter 19 Quick Reference
Understanding DelegatesExamples of Delegates in the .NET Framework Class LibraryThe Automated Factory ScenarioImplementing the Factory Control System Without Using DelegatesImplementing the Factory by Using a DelegateDeclaring and Using DelegatesLambda Expressions and DelegatesCreating a Method AdapterThe Forms of Lambda ExpressionsEnabling Notifications with EventsDeclaring an EventSubscribing to an EventUnsubscribing from an EventRaising an EventUnderstanding User Interface EventsUsing EventsSummaryChapter 20 Quick Reference
What Is Language-Integrated Query?Using LINQ in a C# ApplicationSelecting DataFiltering DataOrdering, Grouping, and Aggregating DataJoining DataUsing Query OperatorsQuerying Data in Tree<TItem> ObjectsLINQ and Deferred EvaluationSummaryChapter 21 Quick Reference
Understanding OperatorsOperator ConstraintsOverloaded OperatorsCreating Symmetric OperatorsOperators and Language InteroperabilityUnderstanding Compound Assignment EvaluationDeclaring Increment and Decrement OperatorsComparing Operators in Structures and ClassesDefining Operator PairsImplementing OperatorsUnderstanding Conversion OperatorsProviding Built-in ConversionsImplementing User-Defined Conversion OperatorsCreating Symmetric Operators, RevisitedWriting Conversion OperatorsSummaryChapter 22 Quick Reference
Why Perform Multitasking by Using Parallel Processing?The Rise of the Multicore ProcessorImplementing Multitasking with the .NET FrameworkTasks, Threads, and the ThreadPoolCreating, Running, and Controlling TasksUsing the Task Class to Implement ParallelismAbstracting Tasks by Using the Parallel ClassWhen Not to Use the Parallel ClassCanceling Tasks and Handling ExceptionsThe Mechanics of Cooperative CancellationUsing Continuations with Canceled and Faulted TasksSummaryChapter 23 Quick Reference
Implementing Asynchronous MethodsDefining Asynchronous Methods: The ProblemDefining Asynchronous Methods: The SolutionDefining Asynchronous Methods That Return ValuesAsynchronous Methods and the Windows Runtime APIsUsing PLINQ to Parallelize Declarative Data AccessUsing PLINQ to Improve Performance While Iterating Through a CollectionCanceling a PLINQ QuerySynchronizing Concurrent Access to DataLocking DataSynchronization Primitives for Coordinating TasksCancelling SynchronizationThe Concurrent Collection ClassesUsing a Concurrent Collection and a Lock to Implement Thread-Safe Data AccessSummaryQuick Reference
What Is a Windows Store App?Using the Blank App Template to Build a Windows Store AppImplementing a Scalable User InterfaceImplementing a Tabular Layout with a Grid ControlAdapting the Layout by Using the Visual State ManagerApplying Styles to a User InterfaceSummaryChapter 25 Quick Reference
Implementing the Model-View-ViewModel PatternDisplaying Data by Using Data BindingModifying Data by Using Data BindingUsing Data Binding with a ComboBox ControlCreating a ViewModelAdding Commands to a ViewModelWindows 8 ContractsImplementing the Search ContractNavigating to a Selected ItemStarting an Application from the Search CharmSummaryChapter 26 Quick Reference
Retrieving Data from a DatabaseCreating an Entity ModelCreating and Using a Data ServiceInserting, Updating, and Deleting Data in a DatabasePerforming Insert, Update, and Delete Operations Through a WCF Data ServiceReporting Errors and Updating the User InterfaceSummaryChapter 27 Quick Reference

Content preview from Microsoft® Visual C#® 2012 Step by Step

Chapter 8. Understanding Values and References

After completing this chapter, you will be able to

Explain the differences between a value type and a reference type.
Modify the way in which arguments are passed as method parameters by using the ref and out keywords.
Convert a value into a reference by using boxing.
Convert a reference back to a value by using unboxing and casting.

In Chapter 7, you learned how to declare your own classes and how to create objects by using the new keyword. You also saw how to initialize an object by using a constructor. In this chapter, you will learn about how the characteristics of the primitive types—such as int, double, and char—differ from the characteristics of class types.