This blog is part of a series on getting started with RoundTable: Squire and covers getting everything installed. The next post in the series will walk you through the steps necessary to use Squire to start learning the C# programming language.
What is Squire?
Squire is a Round Table project that was created as a learning tool for those new to C# development. It is used as part of the Round Table training approach much like Katas in martial arts. Squire uses Kihons, a Japanese term meaning “Basics” or “Fundamentals” to provide repeatable exercises that help you learn the C# language.
Round Table Members believe that mentoring is central to learning, and even though working with Squire alone can certainly help you get a jump start with learning programming with C# we believe that establishing a relationship with a mentor is the best way to accelerate your learning. Round Table Craftsman is not only about practicing techniques, but is also about fostering the correct sprit and attitude to develop a well rounded technical expert.
Steps to get started:
Install SharpDevelop
SharpDevelop is a free integrated development environment (IDE) for C#, VB.NET and Boo projects on the Microsoft’s .NET platform. The Round Table team chose SharpDevelop because it is free, and integrates with nUnit and is a full development environment. This lowered the barriers of entry, mainly cost for those interested in learning programming with C#.
Download SharpDevelop and install it with the typical settings. At the time of this post the current version is 4.2 RC.
Install nUnit
nUnit is a unit-testing framework for all .NET languages which was initially ported from JUnit. nUnit integrates directly with SharpDevelop allowing you to execute the test and see the results without leaving the SharpDevelop IDE.
Download nUnit and install it with the typical settings. At the time of this post the current version is 2.6.
Get a Copy of Squire
Download Squire and extract it to a location on your hard drive.
Start Learning
Ok, that’s it, you now have all the tools installed necessary to start learning the C# programming language using Squire. The next post in this series will cover opening the Squire solution and running through an exercise (kihon).
The next Northwest Arkansas .Net User Group meeting will be held May 8, 2012 at 6:00 PM at Rockfish in Rogers. Jon Parker will be presenting on PowerShell for Developers.
Please RSVP before noon on May 8th so we can order enough food for everyone.
New Location:
Rockfish
3100 MARKET ST. SUITE 100
ROGERS, AR 72758
Meeting Information
Title: PowerShell for Developers
About the Presenter: Jon Parker
Jon has been programming since 2001 at BYU-Idaho. He discovered .Net in 2003 and hasn’t looked back since. While Jon started out with web programming, his current passion is tweaking applications for speed. Jon boasts taking a 30 min Unix C process to .Net that now runs in < 3 min.
Jon is currently employed at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He is married and has 1 child. In his spare time he codes (of course) and builds tree houses.
Agenda
6:00 PM - 6:15 PM - Welcome and News, Sign-in and Food
6:15 PM - 8:10 PM - Main Presentation
8:10 PM - 8:30 PM - Closing and Prize give-a-ways
Where
Rockfish
3100 MARKET ST. SUITE 100
ROGERS, AR 72758
Send you kids to camp, Tech Adventure Camp! A college of mine has put together an awesome tech camp for kids. They will be learning Web Development, Programming with Python, and Graphic Design over a three week period. If you children (ages 7 to 16) are interested in technology then check the Tech Adventure Club out.