C# in Depth

ABOUT THIS BOOKxxviiThe Author Online forum and the archives of previous discussions will be accessiblefrom the publisher’s website as long as the book is in print.In addition to Manning’s own website, I have set up a companion website for thebook at www.csharpindepth.com, containing information that didn’t quite fit intothe book, as well as downloadable source code for all the listings in the book and furtherexamples.About the authorIn many books, you will find a very impressive list of business and technical achievementsaccomplished by the author(s). Sadly, I have little to boast of on that front.Microsoft has been kind enough to award me MVP (Most Valuable Professional) statussince 2003 for my “work” in the C# newsgroups, but I have to put “work” in quotes as it’sbeen such a fun ride. Beyond that, I run a modest website with some articles about C#and .NET, and a blog with some random thoughts about software development. I’m notthe CTO of a wildly successful startup. I haven’t given sell-out lecture tours across multiplecontinents with webcasts that brought the Internet to its knees. Instead, I’ve spentmy time working as a developer, listening to the problems of other developers, and tryingto gradually learn the best way to write code and design solutions.I’d like to think that in some ways that makes me the right person to write a bookabout C#—because it’s what I live and breathe from day to day, and it’s what I lovehelping people with. I’m passionate about C# in a way which my wife has learned totolerate, and I hope that passion comes through in this book. I thought I was madabout it before I started writing, and my appreciation has only grown as I’ve becomemore intimately familiar with the details.I’m not so much in love with C# that I can’t see any flaws—again, I hope thatcomes across in my writing. I’ve never met a language yet that didn’t have its hiddentraps: C# is better than most in that respect, but it’s not perfect. When I see areas thathave caused problems, either for me or for other developers who have posted in newsgroupsor emailed me, I’m more than willing to point them out. I hope the designerswill forgive the implied criticisms, and understand that I hold them in the highestregard for the beautiful and elegant language they created.Licensed to Rhona Hadida