Reddit mentions of Pro ASP.NET MVC 2 Framework (Expert's Voice in .NET)

There are all sorts of resources as you have found out. I see you say 'GUI based database app' - are you talking about a desktop application or a web application? I would recommend a web interface as it is cross-platform and doesn't require install/local database/etc. Right now the newest thing (and easiest IMO) is Asp.NET MVC: http://www.asp.net/mvc I recommend this book: http://www.amazon.com/Pro-ASP-NET-MVC-Framework-Second/dp/1430228865/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278940788&sr=1-3 (I did not read this edition, but the 1.0 edition).

You don't necessarily have to use LINQ, you can use older ADO, stored procedures, or any combination of the above, but in my opinion, LINQ-to-SQL is the easiest to work with. This is the first explanation I read of it back in the day, and it was easy to understand and got me underway: http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2008/01/07/dynamic-linq-part-1-using-the-linq-dynamic-query-library.aspx
There are also some good video tutorials here under the 'data' section:http://www.asp.net/web-forms
I also really liked this book when learning: http://www.amazon.com/LINQ-Action-Fabrice-Marguerie/dp/1933988169/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278941155&sr=1-1

As a shameless plug, I also have a video course on learning how to do this at http://c-sharpener.com - but that is Asp.Net WebForms and not MVC (just another way of doing it).

If you have any more specific questions, please ask! I hope I made some sort of coherent sense?!

There's lots of good books, but not all are free. For free books check out google books
http://www.google.com/search?q=c%23&btnG=Search+Books&tbm=bks&tbo=1


But as far as good books for sale I would recommend the following:


Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns: With Examples in C# and .NET - This is a really good book that helps with more advanced topics like domain driven design and object modelling.


LINQ Unleashed: for C# This is not a straight up c# book. However, they do cover a lot of the more advanced topics upfront (anonymous types, extension methods) and gives a really good introduction to LINQ (a query syntax for .NET). Most real applications today use some form of LINQ so it's good to know.


*Pro ASP.NET MVC 2 - This book is about ASP.NET MVC which is a framework for building sites in .NET. All the examples are in C# and the other does a good job of introducing concepts that will help outside of web sites. Things like the repository pattern for data abstraction and unit testing. Overall a great book.

I strongly recommend Pro ASP.NET MVC 2 Framework. This book and the guy who wrote it are awesome, and it's much respected among many people in the industry. In my personal experience, this book has been critical in the development of my career as a web developer.

In terms of C#, (which you might be as well to get a background in before going with the book I recommend), I don't know what to recommend, but I've had good experiences with WROX books with programming languages.