Programming Documentation
Welcome to the programming section of the MSDN documentation. Here you'll find comprehensive resources to help you develop powerful applications using Microsoft technologies.
Introduction to Programming
Explore the fundamental concepts and architectural patterns that drive modern software development. This section provides an overview of the principles behind building robust and scalable applications.
Key areas include:
- Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles
- Design Patterns
- Software Architecture
- Data Structures and Algorithms
Getting Started with Development
New to Microsoft development? This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment, choosing your first project, and understanding the basic workflow.
We cover:
- Installing Visual Studio
- Understanding project templates
- Your first "Hello, World!" application
For a quick start, check out our sample projects.
Programming Languages
Microsoft offers a rich ecosystem of programming languages, each with its strengths and use cases. Dive deep into the syntax, features, and best practices for each.
C#
C# is a modern, object-oriented language developed by Microsoft. It's widely used for building Windows applications, web services, and games with Unity.
// C# Example
public class HelloWorld
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
System.Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
}
}VB.NET
Visual Basic .NET is another powerful language for the .NET framework, known for its readability and ease of use, particularly for business applications.
C++
For performance-critical applications, system programming, and game development, C++ remains a top choice. Microsoft provides extensive support for C++ development.
JavaScript
Essential for front-end web development and increasingly popular for back-end development with Node.js, JavaScript is a key language in the web landscape.
Frameworks & Libraries
Leverage our powerful frameworks and libraries to accelerate your development and build sophisticated applications.
.NET Core
.NET Core is a free, cross-platform, open-source framework for building modern, cloud-based, internet-connected applications. It is the successor to .NET Framework.
Explore .NET Core documentation
Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
Build modern apps that run across all Windows 10 devices, from PCs and tablets to Xbox and HoloLens, using UWP.
Windows Forms
Windows Forms is a classic UI framework for building desktop applications for Windows.
Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
WPF is a UI framework for building Windows desktop applications with a rich, modern look and feel.
ASP.NET
Build dynamic websites, web applications, and web services using ASP.NET, part of the .NET ecosystem.
Development Tools
Master the tools that empower developers worldwide. Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, and Azure DevOps are at the core of the Microsoft development experience.
Best Practices
Learn about established patterns and guidelines to write clean, maintainable, and performant code. We cover topics like:
- Code readability and style
- Error handling and logging
- Performance optimization
- Security best practices
- Testing methodologies (Unit, Integration, End-to-End)