Your First Step in Programming (What You Should Learn First)

first step into programming by dotnetverse

Note: The reference code in this article is written in C#.

Before deep diving into frameworks or languages, every beginner should understand the basics first. In this article, we will cover data types, variables, conditional statements, and loops using simple explanations and real-world thinking.

So, you got FIVE minutes? Let's clear up the AIR first and begin exploring programming fundamentals.

I would highly recommend, if you can just FIRE-UP a console Application in Visual Studio and practice alongside!

Data Types

Data types define what kind of value a variable can store. Some store numbers, some store text, while others store true or false values.

Basic Types

int — 32-bit integer
long — 64-bit integer
short — 16-bit integer
byte — 8-bit unsigned integer
sbyte — 8-bit signed integer
uint — unsigned 32-bit integer
ulong — unsigned 64-bit integer
ushort — unsigned 16-bit integer

Decimal & Logic Types

float — 32-bit decimal
double — 64-bit decimal
decimal — high precision decimal
bool — true or false
char — single character

Custom Value Types

struct — custom value type
enum — named constants

Reference Types

string — text values
object — base type of all objects
class — custom reference type
interface — contract definition
delegate — method reference
array — collection of same type
dynamic — resolved at runtime

Declaration & Assignment

Variables are used to store values in memory. Before using a variable, it must first be declared.

int x = 10; — variable declaration
string value = "DotNetVerse"; — a value/text
int a = 1, b = 2; — multiple assignments

  public static void Main()
{
    Console.WriteLine("Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse");
    int x = 10;
    string value = "DotNetVerse";
    int a = 1, b = 2; //Multiple Assignments
    Console.WriteLine(x);
    Console.WriteLine(value);
    Console.WriteLine("{0},{1}",a,b);
}

 Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
10
DotNetVerse
1,2

“Now that we can store data, let’s make decisions using conditions.”

Conditional Statements

Conditional statements help programs make decisions based on conditions.

if — executes when condition is true
else if — checks another condition
else — executes when all conditions fail

We have three types of conditional statement checking:

First is equal to ( == ) Second is greater than ( > ) Third is smaller than ( < )

We can also combine checks: [ > / < with == ]

  if(x == 10)
{
    Console.WriteLine("x is 10");
}
else if(a>b)
{
    Console.WriteLine("a is greater than b");
}
else if (a<b)
{
    Console.WriteLine("a is smaller than b");
}

Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
x is 10
a is smaller or equal to b

Loops

“Based on our condition, let’s print out without rewriting again and again using loops.”

Loops allow repetitive execution of code blocks without writing the same code multiple times.

for — classic counter-based loop

  public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse");
        for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(i); // prints 0 to 4
        }
    }
}

  Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
0
1
2
3
4

foreach — iterates through collections

using System;

public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse");
        string[] names = { "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie" };
        foreach (string name in names)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(name);
        }
    }
}

  Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
Alice
Bob
Charlie

while — checks condition before execution

If count starts at 10, the body never runs — condition is checked first.

  public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse");
        int count = 0;
        while (count < 5)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(count);
            count++;
        }
    }
}

  Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
0
1
2
3
4

do while — executes once before checking condition

Even though count < 5 is false from the start, it still prints 10 once — that's the key difference from while.

  public class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse");
        int count = 10;
        do
        {
            Console.WriteLine(count); // prints 10 - runs at least once
            count++;
        } while (count < 5);
    }
}

  Examples for the explained code @ DotNetVerse
10

Try above with your scenarios, imagine real-life scenarios and events to implement these once and for all, if you feel like something is out/missing please comment below, YOUR review is appreciated.

DotNetVerse

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