Visual C# - Step 1

After programming in Java for several years, I decided to learn something other than Java and find out if I can program in any language other than Java. So to test my learning abilities, I decided to learn how to program in C# ( pronounced "C Sharp"). I have heard that it is very similar to Java and maybe that is why I picked C# to learn. Lets see if I can ever become a decent C# programmer.
I will update this blog everytime I will learn something new in C# and will share my experiences as they may help someone else.

So, in order to begin programming in C#, I needed to download the ".Net Framwork", the SDK and Microsoft Visual Studio. I think these can be downloaded individually but I did not want to get into all of that since I am new to all this .Net, C# and Visual Studio stuff. and wanted to keep it all as simple as possible. So what I did was, I downloaded Microsoft Visual C# 2008 Express Edition from this page http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/ .
Note: I just downloaded Visual C# Express Edition not Visual Studio.

I ran the installed file and the installed App asked me several questions such as:
- Do I want to install documentation
- Do I need SQL Server Express Edition, etc etc.

I chose to install each and every thing but you can refuse to download SQL Server if you think you will not need it right away.

After selecting all of the optional components, further downloading and installation of components resumed. Another reason for choosing to install all of the components was to make sure that nothing is left out thereby leaving no reason for my first C# application not to compile and run.

This is all for now, more on C# sometime later this afternoon