Learning .NET (expensive software)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I'm seeking advice on learning .NET

I have experience in ASP, HTML, Vb, Vbscript and Javascript but want to learn .NET I also have some experience with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
My employer thinks even with the previous experience noted above, I am incapable of picking up .NET (they are hiring from outside) so I want to learn it independently. I have several books on .NET and XML etc. but am at the point where I need to be able work thru the programming examples in the books. The problem is the software is so expensive. Visual Studio.NET costs over $1000 and I also need to buy a web server and a database such as SQL Server. Does anyone have any tips on how to learn this technology without bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites that I can use as examples for prospective employers.
 
Download SharpDevelop from SourceForge.com. You can do a search to find it.
It is not Visual Studio, but it is a good editor to get started with. Then,
download the Framework SDK 1.1 and start developing.

If you want to get ahead of the curve, you can download the new beta Express
products (both SQL Server 2005 Express and web developer, et al) from:
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/

--
Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA

************************************************
Think Outside the Box!
************************************************
kneejerkreaction said:
I'm seeking advice on learning .NET

I have experience in ASP, HTML, Vb, Vbscript and Javascript but want to
Click to expand...
learn .NET I also have some experience with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
My employer thinks even with the previous experience noted above, I am
Click to expand...
incapable of picking up .NET (they are hiring from outside) so I want to
learn it independently. I have several books on .NET and XML etc. but am at
the point where I need to be able work thru the programming examples in the
books. The problem is the software is so expensive. Visual Studio.NET costs
over $1000 and I also need to buy a web server and a database such as SQL
Server. Does anyone have any tips on how to learn this technology without
bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites
that I can use as examples for prospective employers.
 
There is webmatrix, which is a free IDE for web development, I think you can
get it from www.asp.net.

Also, you can get MSDE for free, which is the basic version of SQL Server
with some limitations, but should be good enough for your purpose.

And I think IIS is a free web server.

kneejerkreaction said:
I'm seeking advice on learning .NET

I have experience in ASP, HTML, Vb, Vbscript and Javascript but want to
Click to expand...
learn .NET I also have some experience with SQL Server and Oracle databases.
My employer thinks even with the previous experience noted above, I am
Click to expand...
incapable of picking up .NET (they are hiring from outside) so I want to
learn it independently. I have several books on .NET and XML etc. but am at
the point where I need to be able work thru the programming examples in the
books. The problem is the software is so expensive. Visual Studio.NET costs
over $1000 and I also need to buy a web server and a database such as SQL
Server. Does anyone have any tips on how to learn this technology without
bankrupting myself? I'd like to be able to create fully functioning websites
that I can use as examples for prospective employers.
 
You can by the Standard edition of either vb or c# for around $99.00, MSDE
can be used as your SQL server, and any professional edition of your desktop
OS can host a web server, XP Pro, 2000 Pro. So out of pocket cost $99.00.
This is what I use to "teach myself" .NET.
Jared
 
Make sure you scour Microsoft's SQL Server site as last
August Microsoft started selling SQL Server 2000 Developer
Edition for only $49.00. That price may still be available.

Finally, I would sit nice and quiet accepting that employer's
paychecks while I was learning .NET quietly on the side
(meaning never let anybody at work know).

After I was sufficiently convinced of my capabilities I would
walk out on the dummy employer reminding them you
would like to work for somebody who has faith in you.

<%= Clinton Gallagher
 
Hi,

Yeah, there's an educational version which is really cheap. Also, MS run
their Academic lliance scheme which colleges / schools etc can be a part of,
and (I believe) if you're a student at a place participating, you can get a
license for free. Definitely worth asking about.

Have a look at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/howtobuy/purchasing/default.aspx#academic

Steve

kneejerkreaction said:
Thanks for all the great advice.
One problem I have is that eventually I want to get the MCSD certification
Click to expand...
in .NET and one of the core exams is 'developing with visual studio .net'.
so presumably I will need to buy it. Is there an academic version, do you
know?
 
Back
Top