Overview

This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of programming with C#. You’ll gain hands-on experience writing, compiling, and executing C# code while exploring essential concepts like variables, data types, operators, control flow, and functions. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation to build more complex applications and the confidence to begin solving real programming challenges. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Write, compile, and execute basic C# programs - Use variables, data types, operators, and expressions effectively - Implement conditional logic and loops to control program flow - Create reusable functions for modular code

Syllabus

Foundations of .NET Development and Visual Studio Code Integration

In this module, you will learn the fundamentals of the .NET environment and its purpose in software development. You’ll explore how Visual Studio Code integrates with .NET projects and gain hands-on experience setting up a .NET development environment. By the end, you’ll understand the steps for starting a new .NET project and how to organize project files and structure within the .NET framework.

C# Language Basics and Syntax

In this module, you will learn the fundamental building blocks of C# programming that form the foundation for all future development work. You'll learn and practice the essential syntax and structure required to write well-formed C# programs, understand how to work with different types of data through variables and data types, and learn to perform calculations and comparisons using operators. Additionally, you'll develop professional habits by learning to document your code effectively with comments. By the end of this module, you'll be able to write basic but complete C# programs that follow industry standards for code structure and documentation.

Basic Control Flow and Decision Making

In this module, you will learn to create programs that can make decisions and respond intelligently to different situations, transforming your code from simple sequential operations into dynamic, interactive applications. You'll learn the fundamental concepts of conditional logic and decision-making that enable programs to branch into different paths based on user input, data conditions, and program state. Additionally, you'll develop essential debugging skills using professional tools to identify and fix issues in your code, a critical capability for any programmer. This module also introduces you to AI-assisted coding with Microsoft Copilot, showing how modern developers leverage artificial intelligence to enhance their programming productivity and code quality. By the end of this module, you'll be able to write programs that think logically, make decisions based on conditions, and respond appropriately to different scenarios while using professional debugging techniques and AI assistance to ensure your code works correctly.

Version Control and Basic Debugging

In this module, you will learn essential professional development practices that every software developer needs to master. You'll understand how to manage your code changes effectively using Git version control, both through command-line tools and user-friendly Graphical User Interface applications like Git Desktop. Additionally, you'll develop systematic debugging skills using professional debugging tools to identify and resolve programming errors efficiently. These practices form the foundation of professional software development workflows and will serve you throughout your programming career. By the end of this module, you'll be able to maintain proper version history of your projects and troubleshoot code issues like a professional developer.

Hands-on Course Project: Make a Personal Calculator

In this hands-on capstone, you’ll build a professional Windows Forms task management application that brings together every skill developed throughout the program, including GUI design, accessibility, advanced event handling, data binding, and AI-assisted development. Over the course of two hours, you’ll create a polished desktop interface with proper layout, consistent visual hierarchy, keyboard navigation, and 508-compliant features, while implementing multi-form navigation, custom or enhanced controls, and file-based data persistence. You’ll handle user interactions through sophisticated event logic, apply debugging techniques, and structure the application with clean architecture and separation of concerns. The project also includes brief documentation of AI-generated code, performance optimizations, and design decisions, resulting in a business-ready desktop application that demonstrates your ability to build real-world, professional-quality C# software.