C# Smorgasbord

Introduction

The book C# Smorgasbord (author Filip Ekberg, 2013, 256 pages) is not a classic textbook for beginners, but rather a collection of practical solutions, tricks, and in-depth topics on the C# language and the .NET platform. The name "Smorgasbord" (a Swedish word meaning "buffet" or "assortment") accurately reflects the content: the author invites the reader to "sample" many disparate but useful dishes from the world of C#. The book is aimed at developers who are already familiar with the basics of syntax and want to expand their toolkit, understand the inner workings of the platform, and learn to write more efficient, safe, and elegant code.

What the book is about

C# Smorgasbord does not have a single storyline — each chapter is dedicated to a separate topic that can be useful in everyday work. The main sections cover:

• Working with exceptions and best practices for error handling;
• Using LINQ for querying collections and databases;
• Asynchronous programming with async/await;
• Reflection, attributes, and dynamic code generation;
• Threads, tasks, and parallel computing (TPL);
• Interoperability with unmanaged code (P/Invoke);
• Performance optimization and profiling;
• Working with collections and choosing the right data structure;
• Object serialization and deserialization;
• Creating custom attributes and extending the language.

Each chapter contains a brief introduction, code examples (in C# 5.0), and explanations of why a particular approach is preferable. The author does not delve into theory endlessly but immediately moves on to practical scenarios.

Who this book is for

The book is intended for intermediate and advanced programmers who already have experience with C# (at least 1-2 years) and want to systematize their knowledge. It will seem difficult for beginners, as the author assumes familiarity with basic OOP concepts, C# syntax, and the fundamentals of .NET. If you are just starting to learn C#, it is better to first read C# 5.0 in a Nutshell or Pro C# 5.0 and the .NET 4.5 Framework.

What the reader will learn

After reading the book, you will be able to:

• Properly handle exceptions without losing performance or causing resource leaks;
• Write efficient LINQ queries, understanding the difference between deferred and immediate execution;
• Use async/await to create responsive applications without blocking threads;
• Apply reflection for dynamic type loading and method invocation;
• Work with threads and tasks, avoiding deadlocks and race conditions;
• Optimize performance using profilers and proper algorithm selection;
• Interoperate with native code via P/Invoke;
• Create custom attributes and extend the language's functionality.

Strengths

Practical focus. Each chapter contains ready-to-use examples that can be adapted to your own projects. The author does not overload the text with excessive theory but focuses on real-world problems.

"Smorgasbord" structure. The book can be read selectively — you can start with any chapter without necessarily going in order. This is convenient for busy developers who want to quickly find a solution to a specific problem.

Author's authority. Filip Ekberg is a well-known C# evangelist, author of blogs and video tutorials. His writing style is lively, with examples from real experience, which makes the book engaging.

Focus on modern features. Despite the year of publication (2013), the book covers topics that remain relevant today: async/await, LINQ, TPL. For the C# 5.0 version, this was cutting-edge material.