bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.

indd Page v 8/10/08 2:11:23 PM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

PREFACE
Visual C# (C Sharp) is a relatively new language introduced by Microsoft along
with Visual Studio. Its goal was to provide the ease of working with Visual
Basic with the flexibility and power of the Java and C++ languages. The syntax
of C# is similar to Java and C++ but the ease of creating a graphical user interface and an event-driven application rivals Visual Basic.
C# is fully object-oriented, compatible with many other languages using
the .NET Framework. This book incorporates the object-oriented concepts
throughout, as well as the syntax and terminology of the language.
C# is designed to allow the programmer to develop applications that run
under Windows and/or in a Web browser without the complexity generally associated with programming. With very little effort, the programmer can design
a screen that holds standard elements such as buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, text boxes, and list boxes. Each of these objects operates as expected,
producing a standard Windows or Web user interface.

About This Text

This textbook is intended for use in an introductory programming course, which
assumes no prior knowledge of computer programming. The later chapters are
also appropriate for professional programmers who are learning a new language
to upgrade their skills.
This text assumes that the student is familiar with the Windows operating
environment and can use an Internet browser application.

Approach
This text incorporates the basic concepts of programming, problem solving,
and programming logic, as well as the design techniques of an object-oriented
event-driven language.
Chapter topics are presented in a sequence that allows the programmer to
learn how to deal with a visual interface while acquiring important programming skills such as creating projects with objects, decisions, loops, and data
management.
A high priority is given to writing applications that are easy for the user to
understand and use. Students are presented with interface design guidelines
throughout the text.
This text follows essentially the same sequence as the Bradley/Millspaugh
Visual Basic text. Object-oriented programming (OOP) is introduced in Chapter 1 and is used consistently in every chapter of the book.
The code for all in-chapter projects is available to instructors.
v

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page vi 8/12/08 12:12:38 AM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

TEXT FEATURES

067-106.indd Page 82 7/21/08 8:02:48 PM user-s172

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3ch02

Object-Oriented Concepts

Interface Design Guidelines

are presented throughout the text to offer

students an introduction to object-oriented
design before learning to create their own
classes.

are presented to offer students a better understanding of meeting user needs and employing
industry standards.

bra17216_ch01_001-066.indd Page 1 7/27/08 11:12:56 AM user-s207

Good Programming Habits

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3ch01

try
{
C Convert
H
A input
P
T values
E
R to numeric and
//
quantityInteger = int.Parse(quantityTex
try
{
priceDecimal = decimal.Parse(priceT
// Calculate values.
extendedPriceDecimal = quantityInte
discountDecimal = Decimal.Round(
bra17216_ch02_067-106.indd Page 77 7/21/08 8:02:47 PM user-s172
(extendedPriceDecimal * DISCOUNT
amountDueDecimal = extendedPriceDec
totalAmountDecimal += amountDueDeci
numberTransactionsInteger++;
// Format and display answers.
extendedPriceTextBox.Text = extende

Introduction to
Programming and
Visual C# 2008

at the completion of this chapter, you will be able to . . .

1. Describe the process of visual program design and development.
2. Explain the term object-oriented programming.
3. Explain the concepts of classes, objects, properties, methods, and
events.
4. List and describe the three steps for writing a C# program.
5. Describe the various files that make up a C# project.
6. Identify the elements in the Visual Studio environment.

1. Always test the tab order on your forms. Fix it if necessary by changing
the TabIndex properties of the controls.
2. Provide visual separation for input fields and output fields and always
make it clear to the user which are which.
3. Make sure that your forms can be navigated and entered from the
keyboard. Always set a default button (AcceptButton property) for
every form.
4. To make a label maintain its size regardless of the value of the Text
property, set AutoSize to false.
5. To make the text in a text box right justified or centered, set the
TextAlign property.
6. You can use the Checked property of a check box to set other properties
/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3ch02
that must be true or false.

bra17216_ch03_107-156.indd Page 144 7/21/08 8:02:12 PM user-s172

Tips
in the margins help students avoid potential
trouble spots in their programs and encourage
them to develop good programming habits.

TIP

7. Define design time, run time, and debug time.

Use two ampersands when you

8. Write, run, save, print, and modify your first C# program.

want to make an ampersand appear

9. Identify syntax errors, run-time errors, and logic errors.

in the Text property: &Health &&

10. Look up C# topics in Help.

Feedback Questions
give the students time to reflect on the
current topic and to evaluate their
understanding of the details.

Feedback 2.1

Welfare for Health & Welfare.

Hands-On Programming
Examples
guide students through the process of planning,
writing, and executing C# programs.

Create a picture box control that displays an enlarged icon and appears in a 3D
box. Make up a name that conforms to this textbooks naming conventions.

Your Hands-On Programming Example

Property

In this project, Look Sharp Fitness Center needs to expand the clothing sale
project done previously in this chapter. In addition to calculating individual
sales and discounts, management wants to know the total amount of sales and
the number of transactions.
Add exception handling to the program so that missing or nonnumeric data
will not cause a run-time error.
Help the user by adding ToolTips wherever you think they will be useful.

Name
BorderStyle
SizeMode
Visible

Setting

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page vii 8/19/08 2:18:27 AM user-s208

bra17216_ch10_411-450.indd Page 411 8/7/08 12:26:23 AM user-s208

/Volumes/201-1/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3ch10

Programming Exercises

bra17216_ch03_107-156.indd Page 152 7/21/08 8:02:13 PM user-s172

test students understanding of the programming skills covered in that chapter.

Programming

/Users/user-s208/Desktop/TEMPWORK/August 08/18:8:2008

Exercises

3.1 In retail sales, management needs to know the average inventory figure
and the turnover of merchandise. Create a project that allows the user to
enter the beginning inventory, the ending inventory, and the cost of goods
sold.
Form: Include labeled text boxes for the beginning inventory, the ending
inventory, and the cost of goods sold. After calculating the answers, display the average inventory and the turnover formatted in text boxes.

at the completion of this chapter, you will be able to . . .

Case Studies

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3ch03

provide continuing-theme exercises that may

be used throughout the course, providing many
opportunities to expand on previous projects.

Case Studies
Custom Supplies Mail Order
The company has instituted a bonus program to give
its employees an incentive to sell more. For every dollar the store makes in a four-week period, the employees receive 2 percent of sales. The amount of bonus
each employee receives is based on the percentage of
hours he or she worked during the bonus period (a total of 160 hours).
h
ll ll
h
h

of the stores total sales. The amount of sales needs to

be entered only for the first employee. (Hint: Dont
clear it.)
The Calculate button will determine the bonus
earned by this employee, and the Clear button will
clear only the name, hours-worked, and bonus amount
fields. A Print button allows the user to print the form.
ll
b d
d
l h

1. Use database terminology correctly.

2. Create Windows and Web projects that display database data.
3. Display data in a DataGridView control.
4. Bind data to text boxes and labels.
5. Allow the user to select from a combo box or list box and display the
corresponding record in data-bound controls.
6. Query an object using LINQ.

Learning Objectives
tell students what will be covered in the chapter
and what they will be able to do after completing
the chapter.

Online Learning Center

Visit the Visual C# 2008 Web site at www.mhhe.com/C#2008/
for instructor and student resoures.

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page viii 8/10/08 2:11:27 PM user-s208

viii

Changes in This Edition

This revision of the text is based on the Professional Edition of Visual Studio
(VS) 2008. The 2008 version of VS includes Language-Integrated Queries
(LINQ) for a more consistent means of querying a variety of data sources. The
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) brings new dimensions to interface
design. AJAX also has been added to provide faster postbacks for Web pages.
Microsoft has made many enhancements to the integrated development
environment (IDE). The Editor now has a much richer IntelliSense. New tool
windows for creating, managing, and applying styles in Web applications are
now included in Chapter 9.
A new PrintForm component makes printing a form extremely easy and convenient for a classroom environment. The PrintForm component is part of a Microsoft
download called the Visual Basic Power Packs, which can be added to the IDE for
use with a C# program. PrintForm is covered in Chapter 2 for output to either the
printer or a Print Preview window. Standard printing is still covered in Chapter 7.
LINQ is covered in Chapter 10 (Database Applications) and again in the
XML section of Chapter 14.
Chapter 11 (Data Files) includes a simplified method for writing small
amounts of data without performing an open operation.
Drag-and-drop for images is now covered in the graphics chapter (Chapter
13). Students learn the development techniques for this familiar operation.
Chapter 14 includes XML data files and an introduction to programming
with WPF.
The text narrative, step-by-step exercises, screen captures, and appendixes have all been updated to Visual Studio 2008. The screen captures are all
based on Windows Vista.

Features of This Text

Each chapter begins with identifiable objectives and a brief overview. Numerous
coding examples as well as hands-on projects with guidance for the planning and
coding appear throughout. Thought-provoking feedback questions give students
time to reflect on the current topic and to evaluate their understanding of the
details. The end-of-chapter items include a chapter summary, review questions,
programming exercises, and four case studies. The case studies provide a
continuing-theme exercise that may be used throughout the course.
Chapter 1, Introduction to Programming and Visual C# 2008,
introduces Microsofts Visual Studio integrated development environment
(IDE). The single environment is used for multiple languages. A step-bystep program gets students into programming very quickly (quicker than
most books). The chapter introduces the OOP concepts of objects,
properties, methods, and events. The elements of debugging and using
the Help system also are introduced.
Chapter 2, User Interface Design, demonstrates techniques for good
program design, including making the interface easy for users as well as guidelines for designing maintainable programs. Several controls are introduced,
including text boxes, masked text boxes, rich text boxes, group boxes, check
boxes, radio buttons, and picture boxes. A new section covers the controls in
the Power Pack including PrintForm and the Shape and Line controls.

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page ix 8/10/08 2:11:27 PM user-s208

Chapter 3, Variables, Constants, and Calculations, presents

the concepts of using data and declaring the data type. Students learn
to follow standards to indicate the data type of variables and constants
and to use the proper scope.
Error handling uses the try/catch/finally structure, which is
introduced in this chapter along with calculations. The student learns to
display error messages using the MessageBox class and also learns about
the OOP concept of overloaded constructors.
Chapter 4, Decisions and Conditions, introduces taking alternate
actions based on expressions formed with the relational and logical
operators. This chapter uses if statements to validate user input.
Multiple decisions are handled with both nested if statements and the
case structure (the switch statement).
The debugging features of the IDE are covered, including a stepby-step exercise that covers stepping through program statements and
checking intermediate values during execution.
Chapter 5, Menus, Common Dialog Boxes, and Methods,
covers the concepts of writing and calling general methods. Students
learn to include both menus and context menus in projects, display
common dialog boxes, and use the input provided by the user.
Chapter 6, Multiform Projects, adds splash forms and About forms
to a project. Summary data are presented on a separate form.
Chapter 7, Lists, Loops, and Printing, incorporates list boxes and
combo boxes into projects, providing the opportunity to discuss looping
procedures and printing lists of information. Printing is accomplished in
.NET using a graphics object and a callback event. The printing controls
also include a Print Preview, which allows students and instructors to
view output without actually printing it.
Chapter 8, Arrays, introduces arrays, which follow logically from
the lists covered in Chapter 7. Students learn to use single- and
multidimension arrays, table lookups, structures, and arrays of structures.
Chapter 9, Web Applications, introduces programming using
Web Forms, which are used to create Web pages that execute in a
browser application. Students learn to design and develop simple
Web applications. CSS styles and AJAX provide the ability to create
improved, more efficient Web sites.
Chapter 10, Database Applications, introduces ADO.NET, which
is Microsofts technology for accessing data in a database. This chapter
shows how to create binding sources, table adapters, and datasets.
Programs include accessing data from both Windows Forms and Web
Forms. Students learn to bind data tables to a data grid and bind
individual data fields to controls such as labels and text boxes. LINQ is
used to query an array and a database.
Chapter 11, Data Files, presents the techniques for data file
handling. Students learn to save and read small amounts of data using
streams. The StreamWriter and StreamReader objects are used to store
and reload the contents of a combo box.
Chapter 12, OOP: Creating Object-Oriented Programs,
explains more of the theory of object-oriented programming. Although we
have been using OOP concepts since Chapter 1, in this chapter students

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

ix

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page x 8/10/08 2:11:27 PM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

learn the terminology and application of OOP. Inheritance is covered for

visual objects (forms) and for extending existing classes. The samples are
kept simple enough for an introductory class.
Chapter 13, Graphics, Animation, Sound, and Drag-and-Drop,
covers the classes and methods of GDI+. The chapter covers graphics
objects, pens, and brushes for drawing shapes and lines. Animation is
accomplished using the Timer control and the SetBounds method for
moving controls. Students learn to play sounds using the SoundPlayer class.
Video files are played using Windows Media Player. Drag-and-drop events
are used to transfer images and the contents of a text box to a list box.
Chapter 14, Additional Topics in C#, introduces some advanced
programming topics. This final chapter covers validating user input using
Error Providers and the Validating event of controls. Students learn to
create applications using multiple document interfaces (MDI), create
toolbars and status bars using ToolStrip and StatusStrip controls, and add
Web content to a Windows Form using the WebBrowser control. The
code-snippet feature is introduced. Reading and writing XML text files
are covered. The chapter also covers LINQ to XML.
An introduction to Windows Presentation Framework (WPF) includes
using WPF Interoperability with a standard Windows Form and creating
a WPF Form project.
The appendixes offer important additional material. Appendix A holds
the answers to all Feedback questions. Appendix B covers methods for
dates, math, and string handling. In the OOP programming style, actions
are accomplished with methods of the Math class and String class.
Appendix C gives tips and shortcuts for mastering the Visual Studio
environment, and Appendix D discusses security issues for both Windows
and Web programming.

Thank You
Many people have worked very hard to design and produce this text. We would
like to thank our editors, Scott Davidson and Alaina Grayson. Our thanks also
to the many people who produced this text, including Marlena Pechan and
Betsy Blumenthal.
We greatly appreciate Robert Price and Peter van der Goes for their thorough technical reviews, constructive criticism, and many valuable suggestions.
Thank you to Theresa Berry for her work on the exercise solutions. And, most
importantly, we are grateful to Dennis and Richard for their support and
understanding through the long days and busy phone lines.

The Authors
We have had fun writing about C#. We hope that this feeling is evident as you
read this book and that you will enjoy learning or teaching this outstanding
programming language.
Julia Case Bradley
Anita C. Millspaugh

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page xi 8/12/08 12:13:00 AM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

TO THE STUDENT
The best way to learn to program in Visual C# is to do it. If you enter and run
the sample projects, you will be on your way to writing applications. Reading
the examples without trying to run them is like trying to learn a foreign language or mathematics by just reading about it. Enter the projects, look up your
questions in the extensive MSDN Help files, and make those projects run.

Installing Visual C#
For the programs in this text, you need to install the .NET Framework v 3.5,
Visual C# 2008, and the MSDN (Microsoft Developers Network) library, which
contains all of Help and many instructive articles.
You can download the Express Edition of Visual C# and Visual Web Developer from msdn.microsoft.com/express. Using these two products, you can
complete most of the exercises in this text.

Format Used for Visual C# Statements

Visual C# statements, methods, and functions are shown in this font. Any
values that you must supply are in italics.
As you work your way through this textbook, note that you may see a
subset of the available options for a C# statement or method. Generally, the
options that are included reflect those covered in the chapter. If you want to
see the complete format for any statement or all versions of a method, refer
to Help.
J.C.B.
A.C.M.

xi

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page xii 8/10/08 2:11:27 PM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

bra17216_fm_i-xxiv.indd Page xiii 8/10/08 2:11:27 PM user-s208

/Volumes/201/MHDQ081/mhbra3%0/bra3fm

About the Authors

Julia Bradley is a professor emeritus of Computer Information Systems at Mt. San
Antonio College. She developed and taught computer programming courses for 25
years and then took early retirement from teaching in order to write full time. Most
recently she has taught courses in introductory and advanced Visual Basic, Access
programming, and Microsoft Office. She began writing BASIC textbooks in 1984
using MS-BASIC (GW-BASIC) and has authored or co-authored texts in Macintosh
Basic, QuickBasic, QBasic, Visual Basic, C#, Java, the Internet, and desktop
publishing.

Anita Millspaugh teaches programming courses in Visual Basic, C#, and Java at
Mt. San Antonio College and has served as chair of the department for eight years.
She received her MBA from California State Polytechnic University, with a bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems. She has taught faculty at the National Computer Educators Institute and also has led Great Teachers Conferences
for Mt. SAC and for California Vocational Faculty.

xiii