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Food for thought

Just some things that come to mind regarding work, software development, or other IT related categories. These items usually make me think about decisions or how to proceed forward.

The Differences Between C# And .NET - Kens Learning Curve
Food for thought

The Differences Between C# And .NET

by Kenji Elzerman
written by Kenji Elzerman

When I look on forums or other places where people come to learn C# and .NET, I notice that sometimes people don’t really understand the differences between C# and .NET. And there are big differences! In this article, I want to explain to you the differences between C# and .NET and a bit more.

In Short

The biggest differences Between C# and .NET C# are that C# is a programming language and .NET is a framework. Both work perfectly together, but C# could do a lot on its own where the .NET framework needs a programming language. They are both tightly connected.

Let’s put it into a real-life example, or analogy if you will:
The programming language C# is like a blueprint for a house. You use a blueprint to design the house and it specifies the structure, layout, and all the other details of how a house should look and function.
The .NET framework functions as the tools and materials such as bricks, hammers, wood, concrete, etc. But also to workers, machinery, and scaffolding.

So basically, C# tells what to do, and the .NET framework is the tool to execute it. You can create a blueprint without the tools and stuff, but you can’t use the tools, machinery, etc. without the blueprint.

Definitions and features

To understand more about the differences between C# and .NET, let’s look at the definitions and features for both the C# programming language and the .NET framework,

C# programming language

C# is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It looks a lot like other C-based languages like Java and C++. We can use C# to write code and execute it in various environments such as web, desktop, mobile, and cloud.

The most important features of C# are that it is object-oriented (polymorphism for example), strongly and statically typed language, can be used with asynchronous programming, and supports programming paradigms.

C# is used to write algorithms, classes, and methods.

.NET Framework

The .NET framework (currently .NET Core) is a development framework by Microsoft. It provides a runtime environment (the Common Language Runtime or CLR) and a large library of reusable code and APIs for building various types of applications. I allows us to execute C# programs and provides the necessary infrastructure (libraries, runtime, etc.) to develop, run, and deploy applications.

Flow of C# and .NET - Differences between C# and .NET - Kens Learning Curve

The .NET framework contains components that are vital for several functions. The CLR is really important since it manages code execution, memory management, garbage collection, and exception handling. Something C# alone doesn’t do.
Another bit component is a set of classes and libraries that give us essential functionalities such as file handling, input and output, data structures, networking, and more.

C# is not alone

Talking to the .NET framework is not only a privilege of C#. Microsoft has created other languages that can use the .NET framework. VB.NET, of Visual Basic .NET, is one of them. While Visual Basic is older, it didn’t have the functionality to talk to the .NET framework. .NET was released in 2002, and VB.Net in that same year. C# was released in 2001 but was fully built on the .NET framework.

While VB.NET isn’t really popular anymore these days, you can still find it in legacy systems or certain types of applications such as Windows Forms and WPF applications. But you can also find VB(.NET) in Visual Basic for Applications, which is used in Excel and Word for example.

Another language that uses the .NET framework is F#, a functional-first programming language. It is used a lot for data analysis and science, but also mathematical and financial calculations, automation tasks, modeling complex systems, and more.
To be honest: I never used F# in my live. Maybe I should dive into it.

C# developer or .NET developer?

If you are looking for a job in Microsoft software development you might encounter two different job advertisements: A C# developer and .NET developer. Is there a difference? Yes and no.

A C# developer is specialized in writing code using the C# programming language. Although their primary tool is C#, they may use it in various environments, but not necessarily the .NET framework. Also, a C# developer knows C# syntax, OOP, LINQ, async/await, and good, clean code.
Besides a focus on the language, a C# developer also knows about .NET if building desktop, web, or mobile apps is needed. C# can also be used for game development (Unity).
C# has a great overlap with .NET, so chances are that a C# developer has extensive knowledge of the .NET framework as well.

A .NET developer has a more focus on the framework and that includes a wide range of technologies, frameworks, and tools. Such a developer often uses C# as the primary language, but the expertise extends beyond the language itself.
The primary skills of a .NET developer include the ASP.NET Core (web applications), Entity Framework (Core) WPF, Windows Forms, .NET MAUI (mobile apps), and Azure and cloud-related services.
A .NET developer will most likely focus on C#, but also look at VB.NET or F#.

Summarized:
A C# developer is primarily focused on using C# as a programming language. While they often work in .NET, they can work outside of the .NET ecosystem as well, such as in game development with Unity.

A .NET developer has more of a focus on the .NET platform as a whole, which can involve using C# (or other languages) and working with the various libraries, frameworks, and tools that .NET provides for building applications. Their role is more platform-oriented, while C# developers are more language-specific.

Conclusion on differences between C# and .NET

C# or .NET, which you want to choose really depends on which path you want to follow. I hope this little article might. I am a C# developer and when I learned C# is learned both .NET and C#, giving me a wide range of knowledge of both. But I do understand why some people choose .NET and learn a little bit of C# to use the framework.

I do hope that, if you were confused about the differences between C# and .NET, you know the differences now and know which way you need to go.

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Food for thought

What’s in the bag?

by Kenji Elzerman
written by Kenji Elzerman

I am a digital nomad. This means I don’t have a place I call home and travel the world. It’s not that I don’t want a home, but I love to travel and learn more about the world. I combine working and traveling in one. As you might have guessed: I don’t have a home office where I do all my work. Nope, I carry it with me. I have two bags: A backpack for all clothing and non-essential stuff and a day backpack for equipment and essential stuff. And to give you an idea of what devices I drag along with me to create content for you, here is what’s in my day backpack:

It looks like a lot… And it is. But most devices are chosen because of their power and weight.

Lenovo YOGA Pro 7i

I would be nowhere without a laptop. Sure, I could write a lot on a tablet, but video editing, software development, game development, and much more wouldn’t be possible without a laptop. It took me a long time to find a good laptop. I have tried a few over the years, but most of them just didn’t work for me. Then I saw the Lenovo YOGA Pro 7i.

This laptop has 16 GB of internal memory and a 13th Gen Intel(R) Core -7-13700H (2400 Mhz, 14 cores), which is very good for heavy tasks.

The video card is also one of the reasons I bought this laptop. It has two video cards; an Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics (1 GB RAM) and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (6GB). Especially the last one is perfect for video editing, gaming, and image generation (AI / Stable Diffusion).

Thanks to the 1 TB disk I have plenty of space I don’t have to worry about storage. But somehow I always manage to fill it up. But that’s why I have an external disk, just for some extra storage of stuff I don’t need that much.

Of course, there are some downsides. It gets warm very quickly and the fans are almost making the laptop take off into outer space. The sound is sometimes a bit too loud. To give it some extra air, I placed the laptop on a small stand.
And although the battery is outstanding, when using it for heavier stuff, the battery runs out pretty quickly. But I guess that’s normal for all batteries.

This laptop is one of the best pieces of equipment I have had in a long time. I can do everything I want and more.

Samsung 7T 1TB SSD

I have a lot of documents. Images, videos, PDFs, and much more. Most of the important ones I have stored in the cloud, but it’s a good idea to store them in 2 places. I don’t store finished videos in the cloud simply because they are enormous.

To keep the storage on my laptop at a minimum (which I usually fail) I store a lot on an external disc. The Samsung 7T has been with me for a pretty long time now and it never fails me. Due to the USB-C connection, it is super fast (1,050/1000 MB). When I use a USB-A connection the speed is significantly slower.

There is a newer variant that has fingerprint or password protection. Just know that this is awesome, but it does need extra software and won’t work on your TV if you want to connect the 7T to it. I have used Bitlocker to encrypt the disc.

External USB-C monitor (Tern Setups)

This piece of equipment was the best purchase in 2024. I love to work with multiple monitors, and back when I had a home, I had these big, 28″ monitors. Sadly, I can’t bring those with me. They are just too heavy.

Then, through social media, I found Tern Setups. They have monitors, especially for digital nomads. At first, I didn’t believe it, but my curiosity took over at one point.

I also found other monitors of other brands, but they are bigger, heavier, more expensive, or of worse quality. The Tern Setup monitor is just perfect.

They have different screen resolutions, and I chose the 4K OLED. It also comes with a stand that can be adjusted in height, which isn’t the best, but it works. The monitor also comes with a sleeve and some cables. The best part of the monitor is that it can work only on a USB-C connection! You don’t need an extra power supply. This only works if your laptop supports it.

This monitor is awesome for working and gaming. In combination with my laptop, it’s a great setup.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Headphones

When I work somewhere outside, like a coffee shop or an airport, I can be distracted by all the sounds. This is why I have noise-canceling headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM3 is perfect for this since the quality is outstanding and the noise canceling works. It is connected to my laptop (or phone, tablet, etc) by Bluetooth.

It’s also perfect for gaming and listening to music. The extra bass makes the sound even better. The battery lasts long and charging it doesn’t take long.

Yes, there are newer variants of these headphones on the market and I think I am going to replace the WH-1000XM3 soon. But for now, it works just how I want it.

DJI Pocket 3 and DJI Mic

Although I haven’t released much, I do make videos. For this, I use my phone and the DJI Mic the most, but the DJI Pocket 3 is a great addition to the device family.

Although DJI is a bit controversial, I love how easy they make it to use the devices. I also had a DJI Mavic Mini drone and thanks to DJI it’s super easy to learn how to control a drone.

Anyway, the DJI Pocket 3 is a pocket-sized, 4K, with a gimbal video recorder. It has a tracking mode and much more.

Although the colors of the inside recording aren’t the best, it also works as a webcam. The webcam inside my laptop isn’t the best, so using the Pocket 3 is a good alternative. Just connect the Pocket 3 with USB-C to the laptop, choose webcam, and it’s set to go!

While the laptop and the Pocket 3 can record sounds, it isn’t of the best quality. That is why I got the Pocket 3 creator combo. Besides the Pocket 3 it also includes a power bank, a tripod, and the DJI Mic 2. The DJI Mic 2 comes with a nice clip and a windscreen.

Samsung Tab S6 Lite

When I am on the move I could get bored. I mean, an 11-hour flight with Chinese entertainment isn’t the best way to fly.  This is why I have a tablet. Another reason why I carry a tablet is to read scripts, make notes, draw, listen to music, and pure entertainment. The Samsung Tab S6 Lite is from 2020 and really in need of replacement, but it still does what it needs to be doing. 

This tablet works on Android and has a resolution of 2000×1200. It has 64 GB storage, but I could add another SD card. The Octa core (8) and the 4 GB memory work perfectly for simple stuff. The battery is very good although there is no fast charging.

The tablet is also equipped with WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth (5.0), and USB-C connection.

Logitech MX Keys

Since the laptop is on a stand and I am looking directly at the external monitor, it’s not convenient to use the laptop keyboard. Hence the external keyboard. I don’t want a keyboard with AA batteries that run out every 10 minutes or a keyboard that has a cord. So I ended up with the Logitech MX Keys.

It comes in 2 variants: The one with a numpad and the one without. I have the one with the numpad, but I couldn’t live without it. It makes it a bit bigger than needed. This keyboard types really smooth and it’s rather quiet. Although it is a bit heavy it’s a very nice keyboard to use.

The MX Keys can also be used on a tablet and/or phone and you can connect it to 3 devices. The keys have lights, but you can turn them off.

The battery lasts a long time and can be charged with a USB-C cable. I use the cable from my laptop when that is fully charged.

Logitech MX Master 3

And last but not least: A mouse. I have big hands so I need a big and steady mouse. The Logitech MX Master 3 is such a mouse.

The laser and 4000DPI makes it accurate and the Bluetooth connection is ideal for when you don’t have many USB slots on your device. It can also be used on a tablet, phone, and other devices with Bluetooth.

Just like with the MX Keys, you can connect 3 devices to it and switch between them with one button. The other 7 buttons can be set up how you like (except for the left and right button). The size of the mouse is of ergonomics design, making it work very well for a longer period of time.

But it’s rather big. It’s 51mm height, 84 mm wide, and 124,9mm deep. Not ideal to take along with you in a bag, which is already stuffed with other devices.

Other Equipment

Other stuff that I need to take along with me, that aren’t in the day backpack, are my Samsung S23 Ultra phone, a DJI Action cam (for diving, etc.), and an e-reader.

Although the Samsung S23 Ultra is a great Android phone, it’s pretty big and heavy. And the zoom… Well, it’s not really what they advertised. If you want to have something with a really good zoom, get a dedicated camera. But the phone is perfect for gaming, recording normal video, and taking normal photos. But if I am going to replay it I won’t go for the ultra again. Size does matter in some cases.

The DJI Action cam is rarely used. I use it for outdoor activities such as diving, on a motorcycle, or other activities that need a sturdy camera. In other situations, I would use my phone or the DJI Pocket 3. This action cam is on the list to be removed from my bag.

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7 Reasons Not To Choose A Job - Kens Learning Curve
Food for thought

8 Reasons Not To Choose A Job

by Kenji Elzerman
written by Kenji Elzerman

A lot of people ask me why they should take a particular job, but they never ask why they shouldn’t take it. While the latter is easier to answer it’s also never asked when doing a job interview. But I asked it a few times while interviewing people and the answers were stunning.

!Disclaimer!

This article is written from my experience and my thoughts. Maybe you have other experiences (please share them in the comments), or maybe you have things to add (please share them in the comments).

These are things I encountered in my own personal life or heard from others. It made me think twice about my work and what I want in life.

Because Of The Money

It’s not all about the money

This is the number one answer I got. Apparently, a lot of people take a particular job because it pays well. But is it all about the money?

My mind races to all kinds of scenarios about people doing a job because of the money; Are they really happy when they go home? Did they have that feeling they really did something good when? Are they surprised when they get fired because they didn’t do a job the way they should?

Sure, you need to pay the bills, we all have to. A job that makes you happy but pays less is way more satisfying.

You Don’t Know Anything Else

You know more than you think

Oh, really? Did you know I started out as a help on a farm? Then I went to work in retail. From there I did a small study for assistant IT. I did a lot of exploring and studying in my free time and became a software engineer for over 20 years. Then I decided I wanted to teach, so I was a teacher for 1 1/2 years for people with ADHD and autism. Then I decided I wanted to share my knowledge and did something I never thought of doing: Start for myself and travel the world.

What’s your excuse?

Recruiters

Recruiters - Why You Shouldn't Take The Job - Kens Learning Curve (Custom)

Do you know those people that call you, usually when you are at work, and offer you the best job ever? Or send you a message through LinkedIn and have a profile picture of the most beautiful woman or man?

Yeah, I get those 3 times a week. There are two types of recruiters: Recruiters that work for a recruitment office and recruiters that look for new employees for their own company. This is about the first type.

This is what one offered me once:

30.000 Euro per month, a BMW 7-series car, a laptop, pension, 40 paid vacation days per year, senior function with leadership.

Nothing about the job itself. When I asked he continued:

Uhm, yes. It says here Java…? Not sure what that is because I am not an IT guy. It also says Oracle and Linux… But it’s pretty near you! I checked your LinkedIn profile. It’s in Breda.

For those who know me: I am a dedicated C# developer, Microsoft, Windows. A freelancer and digital nomad. I live near Groningen, approx 3-hour drive to Breda, and I hate BMW.

Sure, recruiters can help you find a job, but just find the right one. When it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But what is a good recruiter?

  • One that doesn’t start off with nonsense benefits
  • One that does his/her homework (LinkedIn)
  • One that starts with a small talk to get to know you. They know you on paper (see the previous point)
  • Asking you what you think about a job instead of asking a job what they think about you.

Because Of Your Brilliant Education

Education and theory aren’t everything. Experience is sometimes more valueable

And this is why I let people take a test. Knowing stuff by theory is a good start, but in real life, it is usually different. It takes time and effort to master both.

Take a moment to think about the following: What would you do when a big car accident happens right in front of you?

Unless it really happened to you, you never know. In theory, most would help people in need. But in real life you might faint, go into shock, or just drive away and post the dashcam video on social media.

Another thing is that you should look at the degrees you have. Do they really fit the job you want? A doctor with a degree in brain surgery won’t be soliciting a job for an astronaut; these are two totally different things.

People Say You Have Potential

Whisper - 7 Worst Reasons To Choose Your Job - Kens Learning Curve
People whispering you things doesn’t mean you need to do it.

Or “Someone said I am really good at it.”

Maybe start making choices on your own? People always said I am creative and love to build things with my hands. Well, those people don’t know me really well, because I can’t even hit a nail straight in a wooden plank. When I cut wood in a straight line, it’s always crooked.

In 2023 it is really hard to find any good people to renovate the house for me, so I had to do it myself. I learn a lot and I am (somewhat) happy with the result. But that doesn’t mean I need to make it my work, right?

Creative… Yes, but I lack the interest. I tried drawing, Photoshop, and whatnot. Didn’t work out. Give me a challenge for coding and I am your man.

Everyone has their own pros and cons. Some things are hobbies and some things are simply necessary.

Turning A Hobby Into Work

Hobbies are to relax, not to use as work

Although this could be a really good reason you should take the job, you do need to take into account you need real hobbies. A hobby is something that relaxes you and you can pick up and continue with it whenever you want.

A job is what you NEED to do, a hobby is what you WANT to do. A job has rules and expectations, a hobby does not. And if you don’t like a hobby, you simply pick up another. A job comes with responsibilities, so it’s harder to give up.

It’s In Walking Distance

If you are more happy with a job further away, take it.

Yeah, been there, done that, and I got a t-shirt. No… Really, that company made everyone a t-shirt. It was a job I could walk to. It was just 10 minutes, but I hated it. The rules, the way I had to do my job, the comments, the hours… Nah, not for me.

Last year I had a job that was 2 hours away from home. So 4 hours in the car in total. Luckily it was just 2 days (8 hours a week) and 1 day from home. I would not recommend driving for 2 hours for a job. If it is really good and you love it? Move!

The best time to spend traveling for your job depends on the person. Some people love the train, some people like the quiet, private, secluded, warm, always on time, bubble called a car… Guess which one has my preference.

Awesome Benefits

Car - 7 Worst Reasons To Choose Your Job - Kens Learning Curve
Benefits can be great but don’t expect too much of it.

What are the benefits?

Company car?

More and more people work from home and a company car sounds fantastic, but you pay extra taxes for it (note: that is in The Netherlands).

Laptop?

You can only do your job with it. Want to play games? Not allowed. Want to develop your own software? Not allowed. These machines are usually not the best and come with a lot of security that does not benefit any private options.

The same goes for a company phone. There are some strict rules about it.

Dental Insurance?

Okay, that would be a really good one actually. Period.

Building Pension?

Many financial news outlets warn about the fact people are getting older and older. Thus, more people need a pension. These financial institutes are not prepared for this. The money for pensions is running low and you (the person that is building a pension) are paying for others.

I am no financial wizard, but people who have studied for it say that there might be no pension left in 30 to 40 years. That’s why I look at different ways to build up a pension.

Conclusion

It’s not all black and white… Is it still allowed to call it that? Sometimes you need to do a job you are overqualified for, you don’t like, but you need to pay the bills. Especially at a time when everything is getting more expensive each day.

But whatever you do, I want you to be happy. The world needs some more happiness. Don’t forget that you spend more time at your job than with your loved ones.

Unhappy at work is unhappy at home… But it also works the other way around.

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Kens Learning Curve