.Net Programming Prerequisites

You might worry that you’re not ready to start learning .NET programming and that it may be too challenging to begin without a plan. You’re in good hands—this guide will help walk you through the best methods to approach .NET programming and what you can do to make the process easier. That way, you’ll be successful no matter how you apply your new skills. 

What is .NET Programming?

.NET programming is an extensive framework consisting of 32 programming languages and many resources. Microsoft created it in the 1990s to increase the usability of its projects. While Microsoft privately used it for a long time, it eventually became adapted into .NET Core, an open-source tool released in 2016. Since then, it’s become a staple resource for coders who complete projects with C#, C++, F#, and many other programming languages.

It’s good to know .NET programming because of its versatility. Many combine it with other programming skills to create new libraries and frameworks. For example, people who use Python can combine it with .NET Core’s resources to create a Python.NET library. With this skill under your belt, you’ll be able to mesh it with your other talents and use it to your advantage.

Read more about what .NET programming is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with .NET Programming?

.NET programming is especially prominent in the gaming industry, which has become a $197 billion business as of 2022. Unity is one of the most popular game-making resources on the internet, and its programming language is C#. This programming language is also one of the most commonly-used languages within .NET Core. C# helps power popular games like Among Us, Beat Saber, Hollow Knight, Fall Guys, and Pokemon Go, and many solo developers and AAA game creators use it as their games’ backbone. 

.NET is also common in applications for websites and mobile devices, making web development, mobile development, and iOS app development excellent industries to explore if you have these skills. Why not combine these two uses into one? Mobile games have grown in popularity and are only expected to grow in the future. If you have app development skills, you can work in any industry because every business would love an app to accompany their products, tools, and services. Learn these skills and pick a field that piques your interest—that will take you far into your career, and you’ll work with something you enjoy.

Is .NET Programming Easy to Learn?

If you look into .NET programming without any prior experience, you might make your head spin. Rest assured, it’s simpler than it looks, but there are a couple of steps you’ll want to take before you dive into learning .NET programming. The framework itself will feel simpler after you’ve taken the time to research some of its prerequisites. From there, you’ll have a better idea of how to tackle the subject and which ones you’ll want to check out first. 

What to Know Before Learning .NET Programming

There are many ways to approach .NET programming, but it helps to start with a fixed sequence. The first thing you’ll want to learn is the basics of coding, and you can easily achieve that by learning any programming language. After you’ve learned a programming language, you can start exploring frameworks and libraries. The following section will go into more detail.

Web Development

The programming languages behind the .NET framework have uses in both front end and back end web development. While web development typically uses basic programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites, it can also utilize .NET languages such as C#, F#, and Visual Basic to enhance the websites’ applications and programs. Most sites use the languages mentioned earlier and NET’s libraries to create interactive projects that can be used directly in the browser or downloaded and function smoothly on your computer. 

Basic Coding

It may seem common sense—of course, you would want to learn to code before you start learning a programming framework—but there’s a sequence you can follow to ensure that you’re effectively preparing yourself for .NET Core and all of its quirks. Most people who use .NET Core tend to learn about C#, F#, and Visual Basic. Still, if you have any experience with programming languages, you’ll be able to adapt better when learning these languages. 

Consider looking up some fields you plan to pursue before picking your programming languages. Those who plan to look into a general role can try software engineering because Software Engineers work with various programs and languages. That will make you extremely marketable from the start and allow you to pivot into other careers in the blink of an eye. If you’re unsure how to pursue this area, you can look at Noble Desktop’s Coding Learn Hub, which can guide you through it. 

JavaScript

If you want to start with a specific programming language, JavaScript is one of the best choices. JavaScript is known for the wide variety of frameworks and libraries that use it. If you learn JavaScript, you’ll have experience with programming languages and frameworks, which means you’ll easily navigate .NET Core and everything it entails. JavaScript is also one of the first programming languages new coders learn, and that’s because it’s easy to understand. Once you’ve learned the basics, check out SQL, a database commonly associated with JavaScript. 

React

React is a JavaScript framework, but it’s notable in its own right because of its versatility. It’s one of the most commonly used JavaScript frameworks to make user interface templates and load them without needing to refresh the page. Once you learn React, you’ll have plenty of experience with frameworks and libraries. These skills will easily transfer into your work with the .NET framework. 

Learn Web Development with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

When you’re learning .NET programming, you’ll want to have mastery of the fundamentals, and all of those fundamentals can be exercised through learning web development. Since .NET programming covers front end and back end concepts, you’ll be well-suited to take a Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. Full stack covers both ends of web development and will lay down the groundwork you need to enter your first tech job before you even start exploring .NET programming. 

If you feel overwhelmed by learning web development at once, try taking a Front End Web Development Certificate course instead. Front end web development covers the easiest three programming languages available—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and is the skill set of choice for beginners. If you’re up for a challenge and want to learn more coding skills beyond full stack, the Software Engineering Certificate program covers a broad range of topics, including web development, React, and Python. These topics have high usage in .NET programmer roles and will certainly be worth your while. 

You can find more web development classes that will enhance these skills and give you a solid foundation to work from when you explore .NET programming in further detail. The best part about these programs is that they take place in real-time, offer free retakes, and feature experts in the field. Noble Desktop has your back no matter where you decide to take your programming journey.

Key Insights

• Some helpful skills to know before learning .NET programming are web development, basic coding, JavaScript, and React.
• Knowing web development is helpful because .NET programming is often used for front end and back end programming. 
• Basic coding and software engineering skills are useful to have a solid selection of programming languages under your belt.
• JavaScript and React are helpful because they’ll give you experience with frameworks and libraries, which encompass a large part of NET programming.
• You can receive comprehensive training in .NET programming through an in-person or live online class with Noble Desktop.