C# is a powerful Object Orientated language, for those coming from Java or C++ you should
be able to pick up the syntax for C# quickly. A few points:
The language is case-sensitive (So A and a are different)
Lines terminate with semi-colons
Code is put in code blocks { }
Inline comments start with //
Block comments start with /* */
XML comments start with ///
1. VARIABLES
To declare a variable you specify the data type and variable name followed by a value.
SYNTAX
DataType variableName = value;
NAMING RULES
Variables must start with underscore or letter
Variables cannot contain spaces
variables can contain numbers
Cannot contain symbols (accept underscore)
EXAMPLE
string Name = "TEST";
int Year = 2024;
2. ARRAYS
Arrays are similar to variables, but can hold more than one value.
SYNTAX
DataType[ ] ArrayName = { Comma Separated Values } // Array of any size
DataType[] ArrayName = new DataType[3] {Command Separated Values } //Expects 3 values
EXAMPLE
string[] MyGamesOf2024 = {"GTAV", "Battlefield3"};
string[] MyVehicleOf2024 = new string[3] {"Cycle", "Bike", "Car"};
3. STRINGS CONCATENATION
Concatenation is done through the + operator.
EXAMPLE
Console.WriteLine("Hello " + "World");
NEW LINE EXAMPLE
Console.WriteLine("Hello \n" + "World");
4. CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS
IF STATEMENTS
if statement is used to execute code based on a condition the condition must evaluate to
true for the code to execute.
SYNTAX
if (true)
{
}
EXAMPLE
if (Year > 2010)
{ Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");
}
IF ELSE STATEMENTS
if a condition does not evaluate to true you can use an if else statement to execute other
code.
SYNTAX
if (true)
{ // Code Block executes if condition is true
}
else
{// Code Block executes if condition is true
}
EXAMPLE
if (Year > 2015)
{
Console.WriteLine("Hello World!");
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("Year is: " + Year);
}
SWITCH STATEMENT
Similar to the If else statement, however it has these benefits.
Much easier to read and maintain
Much cleaner then using nested if else
It only evaluates one variable
SYNTAX
switch (switch_on)
{
default:
}
EXAMPLE
switch (Year)
{
case 2013 :
Console.WriteLine("It's 2013!");
break;
case 2012 :
Console.WriteLine("It's 2012!");
break;
default :
Console.WriteLine("It's " + Year + "!");
break;
}
The break keyword is required as it prevents case falling.
5. LOOPS
WHILE LOOP
Continuously loops code until the condition becomes false.
SYNTAX
while (true)
{
}
EXAMPLE
while (Year >= 2013)
{
if (Year != 2100)
{
Console.WriteLine(Year++);
}
else
{
break;
}
}
Make sure your condition evaluates to false at some point otherwise the loop is endless and
it can result in errors.
FOR LOOP
Similar to the While Loop, but you specify when the loop will end.
SYNTAX
for (int i = 0; i < length; i++)
{
}
EXAMPLE
for (int i = 0; i <= 100; i++)
{
Console.WriteLine(i);
}
This prints out 1 to 100. The expression can be easily broken down like this:
I = 0;
I Is less than or equal to 100? (True)
Increment I by 1
When I reaches 100 it will stop because I will no longer be less than100 and will equal 100 so
the condition is false.
FOR EACH
The for each loop is used to loop around a collection. (Such as an array)
SYNTAX
foreach (var item in collection)
{
}
EXAMPLE
foreach (string movie in MyMoveisOf2013)
{
Console.WriteLine(movie);
}
Outputs all the elements in the MyMoviesOf2013 array.
ADVANCED – EXCEPTIONS, METHODS & CLASSES
1. EXCEPTIONS
To catch any exceptions which are likely to occur you use a try catch block.
SYNTAX
try
{
}
catch (Exception)
{
throw;
}
EXAMPLE
try
{
string result = "k";
Console.WriteLine(Convert.ToInt32(result) + 10);
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
The above code results in a format exception, because you can’t convert K to a number.
2. METHODS
SYNTAX
public void MethodName()
{
//Does not return a value
}
public static void MethodName()
{
//Does not return a value, the class does not need to be initialized
//for this method to be used.
}
public static DataType MethodName()
{
//Requires a value to be returned, class does not need to be
initialized for this method to be used.
}
EXAMPLE
public static void WelcomeUser()
{
Console.WriteLine("Hello Guest!");
}
Passing Parameters
public static void WelcomeUser(string Name)
{
Console.WriteLine("Hello " + Name + "!");
}
Returning Data
public static DateTime Tomorrow()
{
return DateTime.Now.AddDays(1);
}
All the examples above are static, this allows me to use the methods without initializing the
class. You can read more about Classes and Methods. Also public methods are available
outside of the current class, private methods are only available in the current class.
3. CLASSES
SYNTAX
Class MyClassName
{
}
EXAMPLE
class MyCar
{
public void Manufacturer(string Manf)
{
Console.WriteLine(Manf);
}
}
To use the method in the class, the class must be initialized first.
MyCar NewCar = new MyCar();
NewCar.Manufacturer("Audi");
If the method was declared static I could simply do this:
MyCar.Manufacturer(“Audi”);
Static methods are useful, make sure you are using the right design for your classes and
methods. A good example is the Math class, to perform simple calculations you do not want
to be initializing the class all the time, that’s why most methods are static.
