11.1 Finding a Quick-Reference Entry

The quick reference is organized into chapters, one per namespace. Each chapter begins with an overview of the namespace and includes a hierarchy diagram for the types (classes, interfaces, enumerations, delegates, and structs) in the namespace. Following the overview are quick-reference entries for all the types in the namespace.

All quick-reference entries are expressed using C# syntax. If you're a VB developer, Chapter 12 explains how to convert from C# to VB syntax.

Figure 11-1 is a sample diagram showing the notation used in this book. This notation is similar to that used in Java in a Nutshell, but borrows some features from UML.

Abstract classes (or MustInherit classes in Visual Basic) are shown as slanted rectangles, and sealed classes (NonInheritable in Visual Basic) as octagonal rectangles. Inheritance is shown as a solid line from the subtype, ending with a hollow triangle that points to the supertype.

There are two notations that indicate interface implementation. The lollipop notation is used most of the time, because it is easier to read. In some cases, especially where many types implement a given interface, the shaded box notation with the dashed line is used.

Important relationships between types (associations) are shown with a dashed line ending with an arrow. The figures don't show every possible association. Some types have strong containing relationships with one another. For example, a System.Net.WebException includes a System.Net.WebResponse that represents the HTTP response containing the error details (HTTP status code and error message). To show a relationship such as this, a filled diamond is attached to the containing type with a solid line that points to the contained type.

Entries are organized alphabetically by type and namespace, so that related types are grouped near each other. Thus, to look up a quick reference entry for a particular type, you must also know the name of the namespace that contains that type. Usually, the namespace is obvious from the context, and you should have no trouble looking up the quick-reference entry you want. Use the tabs on the outside edge of the book and the dictionary-style headers on the upper outside corner of each page to help you find the namespace and type you are looking for.

Occasionally, you may need to look up a type whose namespace you do not already know. In this case, refer to Appendix B. This index allows you to look up a type by its name and find out what namespace it is part of.

Figure 11-1. Class hierarchy notation