In the latest 4-5 years I have mainly been working with different aspects of Java based technology. Now my employer wants me to pick up C#. This means I should fit well in the rather narrow target group this title is aimed for, namely experienced Java programmers "converting" to C#.

If I have to conclude the book in one single word, it would be just "narrow". The text gives you kind of the same feeling as when reading one of these "exam cram" titles, only focusing on what is important for that peculiar certification. (Only the quizzes are missing).

Mr. Heng Ngee Mok seems to be an experienced Java developer, and also being fluent in C#. On top of that he is a good pedagog. In every chapter there is a distinct focus on the languages differences, which are explained in detail.

Similarities are just simply pointed out. It is easy (and recommended) to go along and work through the small but enlightening code examples on your own computer while reading.

No Visual Studio is needed, a command window, simple text editor and the C# SDK installed will do just fine.

The plan of the book is recognizable from different "beginners programming books", from very basic concepts to more advanced at the end. Personally I appreciate the ending chapters in this book a bit extra, because they deal with all that stuff I am missing in Java from it's C/C++ heritage; structs, enum, Pointers (they are back in some sense at least) and operator overloading.

Also the premier chapter "Introducing .NET" is one of the best briefs of .NET I have read so far. A plus for Mr. Mok also because he is not wasting any time with ridiculous "religious" aspects of the two languages.

It's from the text context only impossible to find out which "side" he eventually has taken stand on. Despite the authors balanced, humourous writing style it still becomes a little dry and boring at the end to read it through. But as a handy companion for Java to C# converts it fits its purpose well.