Uncategorized | Web Dev (.NET, HTML, etc)

How to get Microsoft certification?

Challenge:

Since last couple of weeks, few friends asked me that how can they get Microsoft certification? Any tips and tricks? I replied to them via email or any other source. But as per Scott’s formula [“You have a finite number of keystrokes left in your hands before you die.” – http://keysleft.com/], rather than replying to email write a blog on it. And share the link. So, next time if someone asks same question to me [Or may be you] Can send this blog’s link.

Solution:

So long back — I wrote Microsoft certification quick start guide
This document is a best place to start! Few things have been changed. But the basics remains the same.
If you don’t have time to go through the document, and need a quick summary. here you go!

  1. Target one exam at a time. Visit each exam’s Home Page – Understand what this exam covers. And start preparing. Best way to prepare for MS Certification is MS Press Books. You can find it from each of the following link – Better to have a hard copy. For example you are aiming to give 70-480 exam. It’s exam detail page is here : https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-in/exam-70-480.aspx check “Skills Measured” section to understand what this exam covers. Check “Preparation options” section for all resources related to this exam.
  2. Select your exam track from here : https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-in/certification-overview.aspx for example if you are ASP.NET Web Developer then you should go for this track : https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-in/mcsd-web-apps-certification.aspx
  3. Before you go for exams. Start giving exams from Dumps, Search for your exam. E.g. http://www.examcollection.com/70-480.html there will be the lot of dumps. But I follow this formula to select a best dump [You will need a VCE Software to run this VCE files]:
    1. Select a dump – Which has MOST number of questions
    2. And which got Max number of votes. So, as per this example it goes for Microsoft.Actualtests.70-480.v2013-12-31.by.MARY.169q.vce
      [As it got 169 questions and 162 votes]
  4. Then book your exam slot, Pearson is best!
  5. All the best for your exams!

Happy Certification! 🙂

Uncategorized | Web Dev (.NET, HTML, etc)

Basics for .NET beginner developers

Challenge:

Luckily, I’ve been crafting on .NET since last 7+ years. Initially I learnt .NET in college. And then after explored it further during my professional career. Some time back few of my friends asked me, How can they also learn .NET? Which are the best resources to begin with? And then be a .NET Ninja!
You are also learning .NET? Or would like to start learning .NET? Or you work on .NET. But would like to brush up your fundamentals? Then this post is for you!

Solution:

Start with following links :
http://www.pragimtech.com/c-sharp-video-tutorials.aspx
http://www.pragimtech.com/Free-aspnet-video-tutorial.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8598C97BA1D871C1&feature=view_all
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAC325451207E3105&feature=view_all
Then move to this :
http://www.learnvisualstudio.net/free/c-training/
http://www.itorian.com/2012/08/LearnDotNet60days.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3lHQdoYsUo&list=PL0BB0AD0F12A24B6E
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Language_Runtime
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Framework
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/20694/Net-Framework
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/3992/What-is-NET
http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/uploadfile/puranindia/net-framework-and-architecture/
http://www.completecsharptutorial.com/basic/parameter-examples.php
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-topics/c-app-development
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/c-fundamentals-for-absolute-beginners
http://quickstarts.asp.net/QuickStartv20/default.aspx
http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/software-developmentfundamentals#?
fbid=-dwjFvfio5-
– http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/training-courses/database-fundamentals#?fbid=-
dwjFvfio5-
Please note Programming is like swimming. You need to delve in to it. To be a master of it. So, most of the above resources are videos. But would strongly recommend you that. Do practice after watching each video!And here are
And here are some exercises for you:

  1. Create a console application which takes user name as an Input and tells moon sign – as per his/her input
  2. Create a console application which takes a Number – for which user would like to print a Multiplication Table
  3. Anything else?

Few nice to read books:

  1. CLR Via C#
  2. MCTS 70-536 Self-Paced Training Kit – Application Development Foundation
  3. Murach’s ASP.NET

Please remember you can’t be master of .NET/any field over the night. As per research it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to be master of any field. So, have lot of patience. Practice as much as you can! — The harder you practice, the luckier you get!
Also, If possible give Microsoft certification exams — Here is Certification Quick start guide for you!
If you know any other .NET resource, which you think is excellent. And should go in this list. Then please do share it with others via comment!
Happy Programming! 🙂

Uncategorized | Web Dev (.NET, HTML, etc)

Dark vs Light Visual Studio Theme

Challenge:

This post is Not on any Technical Coding concept. But it is on Visual Studio – Lifeline of  all .NET Developers! You might think a post on Theme? Sounds funny?! But If you are a developer then you spent most of your time looking at your monitor and mostly Visual Studio! And few developers who are passionate about Code. Might do Code till midnight. In dim light! 🙂 (Yes, I am talking about you!)
If you have following questions:

  1. Why lot of Developers started using Dark theme of Visual Studio?
  2. What should I use Dark or Light theme?
  3. Why should I use Dark theme?

Then this post is for you!

Solution:

I noticed that lot of people have stated using Dark Theme of Visual Studio. I never thought I should try that. But people whom I admire and follow started using that. And I also thought to change it. When I changed it first time.  Haven’t liked it [You know ComfortZone!?] So, rolled back it, But after few days. Don’t know why thought o re-try it. And after that I never thought I should go back to light theme. I am enjoying Dark theme of Visual Studio.
I was just curious to know what people across the Globe uses and recommend. And for that did a quick search and found following articles. Which are really good to read:

  1. http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ChangingYourColorsInVisualStudioNETBlackVersusWhite.aspx
  2. http://weblogs.asp.net/infinitiesloop/Join-the-Dark-Side-of-Visual-Studio
  3. http://ux.stackexchange.com/questions/8153/what-are-the-negative-and-positive-aspects-of-dark-color-scheme

Few excerpts:
The default scheme sports a bright white background color with dark text over it. But monitors these days are brighter than ever. You’re presumably a programmer, so you’ve no doubt had those late but productive coding nights, nights that are lit by only the glow of your monitor. The glow is bright enough to light up the room and cast shadows. Not unlike… a light bulb.
So there you are, staring straight into a strong light source, looking for the few pixels on it which are not illuminated. Can you read the wattage and manufacturer letters on the head a light bulb while it’s turned on? Ahhh… but what if the bulb were black, and only the letters on it were illuminated?
Another benefit someone pointed out to me once — if you’re on a laptop, it saves your battery life! Horray for an extra 20 minutes of mobile coding!
It seems to me the only reason a black-on-white background is so standard is because the GUI was invented to be an analogy to pen and paper. Paper is white. Your screen doesn’t have to be. Don’t conform to the status quo! Plus, it just looks really cool… I think.

Other links:

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/VisualStudioProgrammerThemesGallery.aspx
So, Which Color Theme you were using before reading this blog post? And which you will use after reading this blog post? What’s your Visual Studio environment settings?
Happy Coding! 🙂

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