C# is the key language for Microsoft's next generation of Windows services, the .NET platform. This programming language is fast and modern and was designed to increase programmer productivity. C# enables programmers quickly to build a wide range of applications for the Microsoft .NET platform. The .NET platform enables developers to build C# components to become Web services available across the entire Internet. This practical textbook starts with a brief overview of the C# language but then directly moves to applying C# for essentially every possible kind of .NET application. From Windows-based to Web-based applications, it's all here. There are comprehensive discussions of such important issues as the .NET Framework, threading, ASP.NET and ADO.NET.