What we're going to do first is to create a very simple programme, so that you can see what makes up a C# .NET project. By the end of this chapter, you'll have learnt the following:

• How to create new projects
• What the Solution Explorer is
• The various files that make up of a C# .NET project
• How to save your work
• How to run programmes
• The importance of the Main statement

The simple programme we'll create is called a Console Application. We won't be doing much else with this type of application, as this is a book about Windows Applications. Off we go then!

Open the Visual C# Express software from your programs menu. When you first open C# (pronounced C Sharp), you should see a screen something like this (screenshot is for 2005 version, but 2008 version is the same):


When you're looking at this piece of software for the first time, it can seem hugely complex and daunting. The temptation is to think you're never going to get to grips with something so difficult. But don't worry - after a few lessons things will start to feel familiar, and you won't feel nearly half as intimidated as you do now!


A Simple C# Console Application
A Console Application is one that looks like a DOS window. If you don't know what these are, click your Start menu in the bottom left of your screen. Click on Run. From the dialogue box that appears, type cmd:

Click OK and you'll see a black screen, like this one:
This is the type of window you'll see for our Console Application. When you create your Windows forms, there's a whole lot of code to get used to. But Console Applications start off fairly simple, and you can see which part of the programme is the most important.