Which .Net Programming Training Format Is Right for Me?

When you’re planning to learn .NET programming and everything it entails, choosing your training format can feel overwhelming. There are plenty of options, all of which have their own benefits, but some work better for certain people than others. The following sections will help you decide which learning method works best for you so you can confidently start your .NET programming journey. 

What is .NET Programming?

.NET programming is an extensive framework consisting of 32 programming languages and many resources. Microsoft created it in the 1990s to increase the usability of its projects. While Microsoft privately used it for a long time, it eventually became adapted into .NET Core, an open-source tool released in 2016. Since then, it’s become a staple resource for coders who complete projects with C#, C++, F#, and many other programming languages.

It’s good to know .NET programming because of its versatility. Many combine it with other programming skills to create new libraries and frameworks. For example, people who use Python can combine it with .NET Core’s resources to create a Python.NET library. With this skill under your belt, you’ll be able to mesh it with your other talents and use it to your advantage.

Read more about what .NET programming is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with .NET Programming?

.NET programming is especially prominent in the gaming industry, which has become a $197 billion business as of 2022. Unity is one of the most popular game-making resources on the internet, and its programming language is C#. This programming language is also one of the most commonly-used languages within .NET Core. C# helps power popular games like Among Us, Beat Saber, Hollow Knight, Fall Guys, and Pokemon Go, and many solo developers and AAA game creators use it as their games’ backbone. 

.NET is also common in applications for websites and mobile devices, making web development, mobile development, and iOS app development excellent industries to explore if you have these skills. Why not combine these two uses into one? Mobile games have grown in popularity and are only expected to grow in the future. If you have app development skills, you can work in any industry because every business would love an app to accompany their products, tools, and services. Learn these skills and pick a field that piques your interest—that will take you far into your career, and you’ll work with something you enjoy. 

Training Formats for .NET Programming

The primary training formats people use are on-demand (or self-paced) lessons, video tutorials, in-person courses, and live online classes. The sections below will cover the perks and challenges associated with each. 

In-Person .NET Programming Training

Most people are familiar with in-person classes because they experience them throughout their elementary and high school education. You may already be aware of the perks of in-person courses, such as a distraction-free environment and the social benefits of building a network. The drawbacks are more prominent in adulthood since time constraints and commutes can interfere with responsibilities and leave little room for free time. This option is worth considering if you have time to travel to a physical location daily. 

Many of the concepts for .NET programming are covered in web development, and there are plenty of in-person web development classes that provide knowledge in the front-end and back-end topics used for .NET programming. You can find in-person classes near you through the Classes Near Me search engine by Noble Desktop. If you’re local to Manhattan, New York, you can also sign up for in-person classes from Noble Desktop. Other in-person class providers also include DevMountain, Ironhack, and Epicodus. Live online courses are another solid choice if you can’t find an in-person class near you.

Live Online .NET Programming Training

Live online courses are the best choice for anyone with a tight schedule who enjoys working with people in real time. The biggest perk of this training format is that you can learn from anywhere, whether in your office, bedroom, or another place unrelated to your typical routine. Some challenges you might face include creating a distraction-free environment, but the good news is that if you cannot focus in your workspace one day, you can always move to another one. 

If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to creating your distraction-free environment, you can always look into how to learn online. Once you’re comfortable with your work set-up, it’s time to search for live online classes. Noble Desktop has an excellent selection of courses related to .NET programming. Other live online venues include Wild Code Schools, Code Fellows, Strive School, and NexGen Bootcamp. Any option you choose will take you one step closer to your programming goals.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Are you still deciding whether to start taking full certificate programs or bootcamps? That’s understandable, especially if this is your first time exploring .NET programming. Most people find that watching a free online tutorial first gives them a sense of the topics and what they need to learn. 

.NET programming can seem complicated if you dive into it without learning its prerequisites. You might find that introductory videos—such as the Intro to Front End Web Development, Intro to JavaScript, or Intro to Python Fundamentals tutorials—will make things easier. Watching the online tutorials in these areas will give you an overview of each and help you decide where to start. 

Read about more free .NET programming videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

The road to web development is short: you can easily learn the basics within two to three weeks and become proficient in them within two to six months, depending on your level of commitment. Some of the best web development courses come in bootcamps and certificate programs, which will allow you to gain credentials that can help you land your first job in the tech field. Check out some in-person or live online web development classes to see how they align with your schedule.

Comparison of .NET Programming Training Formats

You might be searching for .NET programming classes and wondering which format to choose. The truth is that all of them are solid options, but whether they’re the best option for you will depend on your overall goals and intentions for them. Ask yourself: What do you intend to get out of these classes, and what do you want to accomplish along the way?

On-demand classes are an excellent place to start when you’re first looking into classes but are still adjusting your schedule. You won’t need to make room for them because they’re self-paced and can be completed anytime. The biggest benefit to the on-demand format is that many on-demand classes are either free or low-cost, making them budget-friendly while saving up for a certificate program related to your desired field. The main drawback is that most on-demand courses are intended for beginners, and you’ll want to join an in-person or live online program to delve into more complex topics needed to get a job. 

In-person classes are a solid choice if you have extra time and don’t have as many time-consuming obligations, such as taking care of your kids. You’ll work in a dedicated, distraction-free environment and will have the opportunity to connect with a network of peers who share similar goals. Live online courses are an excellent alternative if you need to save that extra time or want to spend it on other commitments. 

Live online classes are best for those who want the quality of in-person classes without the commute or the time lost. Everything in your classes takes place in real time, and you’ll work with the same experts teaching your in-person classes. The main drawback of live online courses is that you’ll need to set up your own work environment, but that can also be a blessing in disguise. You can create your ideal workspace—whether it’s your office, bedroom, or favorite cafe—and once you’ve set it up, you’re good to go for the rest of your online learning journey. 

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself .NET Programming?

While you can learn the fundamentals of .NET programming through self-paced lessons and online videos, you’ll eventually want to transition to an in-person or live online course. On-demand courses are an excellent choice when you’re at the beginning of your programming journey or want to explore the topics that involve .NET programming, but they typically only cover the basics. It’s also easier to get in touch with your mentors if you’re working with them in real time, so you can ask questions as they arise.

Once you’ve established a base and are ready to commit, finding an expert on the topic or related fields is a good idea. Taking classes with an instructor will also be beneficial in the long run. Even after you’ve completed your course, you’ll have an established relationship with someone in the industry who can point you in the right direction for future endeavors, such as certification exams and job preparation. Most people enjoy the flexibility of on-demand courses when they’re still raising funds to join a certificate program. It should serve as a starting point to expand your horizons and give you an overview before deciding it’s right for you.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn .NET Programming

The best way to approach your .NET programming education will depend on the stage you are in your career and what you want to do with your newfound knowledge once you’ve finished your classes. If you’re at the very beginning and are still testing the waters, you might want to look into some video tutorials to help you gauge which skills you should tackle first. For example, .NET programming involves object-oriented languages, and watching a Python Fundamentals video tutorial will help you learn the concepts behind them before you dive into more complex languages like C#. 

Python and JavaScript are essential skills to develop while mapping out your .NET programming educational path, especially if you plan to apply for a promotion in a tech job. Both are easier than most .NET programming languages and have their own career paths that you can pursue while developing your .NET skill set. Taking a Python Programming Bootcamp will give you the foundation to explore other object-oriented programming languages easily. A JavaScript Programming Bootcamp will guide you through all the concepts you need to understand when using any framework, including .NET Core. 

Certificate programs are best if you’re outside the tech industry and want to enter it for the first time. That’s because you’ll work with experts in the field who can point you in the right direction, take a collection of bootcamps at a discounted rate, and earn a certificate of completion that will show employers that you have the skills they need to get the job done effectively. Two certificate programs ideal for anyone who wants to learn .NET are JavaScript Development Certificate and Python Developer Certificate for the reasons mentioned above. 

Truthfully, any additional coding experience will help you immensely when you learn .NET programming. A Software Engineering Certificate or Full-Stack Web Development Certificate program will give you a broad range of skills you can use for any entry-level position. Once you’ve established your place in the tech industry, you can branch out into any of .NET programming’s 32 languages and go from there.

Learn Web Development with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

When you’re learning .NET programming, you’ll want to have mastery of the fundamentals, and all of those fundamentals can be exercised through learning web development. Since .NET programming covers front end and back end concepts, you’ll be well-suited to take a Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. Full stack covers both ends of web development and will lay down the groundwork you need to enter your first tech job before you even start exploring .NET programming. 

If you feel overwhelmed by learning web development at once, try taking a Front End Web Development Certificate course instead. Front end web development covers the easiest three programming languages available—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and is the skill set of choice for beginners. If you’re up for a challenge and want to learn more coding skills beyond full stack, the Software Engineering Certificate program covers a broad range of topics, including web development, React, and Python. These topics have high usage in .NET programmer roles and will certainly be worth your while. 

You can find more web development classes that will enhance these skills and give you a solid foundation to work from when you explore .NET programming in further detail. The best part about these programs is that they take place in real-time, offer free retakes, and feature experts in the field. Noble Desktop has your back no matter where you decide to take your programming journey.