Syllabus
Compilation and execution differences between unmanaged (C++) and managed code (C#/.NET, Java).
Basic principles of JIT compilation, services provided by the CLR virtual machine, concepts of safe and unsafe code, overview of languages for .NET (C#, VB.NET, F#, C++/CLI, IronPython), pros and cons of development under the .NET platform.
Common .NET platform implementations: Microsoft .NET Framework, Mono.
Development tools, basics of performance measuring, code documentation and testing.
Value types vs. reference types (comparison to Java and C++ languages).
Memory allocations on managed heap, basic principles of Garbage Collection.
Classes and structs, interfaces, inheritance, virtual methods, (static) class constructors (comparison to Java and C++ languages).
Strings
Mutable vs. immutable types.
Generic types (comparison to generic types in Java and templates in C++).
Type variance (covariace and contravariance).
Extension methods, operator overloading, anonymous methods and lambda functions, iterator methods (comparison to C++).
Delegates and events.
Standard .NET libraries (streams, file access, collections, etc.).
Object finalization, advanced principles of Garbage Collection, basic principles of generational Garbage Collector.
Annotation
The goal of the course is to give students a detailed knowledge and understanding of key principles of the .NET platform, the C# programming language and its advanced constructs. Successful completion of the course should allow students to effectively take advantage of the .NET platform potential.
Course attendees are expected to have knowledge of object oriented and event driven programming and basic features of C# language as covered by the course "NPRG031 Programming 2".