Practical C# Projects with .NET: Sharpen your C# and .NET skills to build fun console, web, game and AI apps with modern tools and patterns

Build practical C# and .NET 10 projects – from games and web apps to AI chatbots and machine learning tools – while learning modern patterns, libraries, and workflows.

Free with your book: DRM-free PDF version + access to Packt’s next-gen Reader*

Key Features

• Learn by building practical .NET applications for real-world use
• Develop cross-platform apps, games, web APIs, and AI integrations
• Master new C# and .NET features through creative, hands-on projects

Book Description

Too many C# developers feel stuck building the same apps day in and day out, but learning through side projects can reignite your passion and level up your skills. This book offers a practical, hands-on approach to building confidence with .NET 10 and modern C# by building a variety of engaging applications, from interactive games and productivity tools to machine learning apps and browser-based chatbots.

These projects are designed to teach practical patterns and modern tooling, with a focus on learning and experimentation over production hardening. You’ll work with tools like Spectre.Console, ML.NET, Uno Platform, and more, developing everything from an adventure game and a card tracker to an AI chatbot. You’ll also build modern AI-enabled systems using Ollama, Microsoft Agent Framework, OpenTelemetry, and Aspire.

Written by an experienced C# engineer and teacher, this book blends technical depth with a developer-friendly tone, helping you learn faster and retain more. You’ll sharpen your understanding of core .NET capabilities and gain confidence to apply them in your own work or hobby projects.

By the end of this book, you’ll not only have a portfolio of practical .NET apps – you’ll also have grown as a developer and rediscovered the joy of programming.

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What you will learn

• Build an adventure game console app with Spectre.Console
• Create infinite world simulations using procedural generation
• Build RESTful APIs using ASP.NET Core and Entity Framework
• Design a cross-platform chatbot using Uno Platform
• Use object-oriented programming and unit tests to recreate the Enigma machine
• Develop browser-based apps with Blazor and JavaScript interop
• Train and use ML.NET models in your own applications
• Explore game development with MonoGame and .NET

Who this book is for

C# developers eager to deepen their practical knowledge of .NET by building meaningful and creative projects. Suitable for professionals and hobbyists alike, this book is ideal for those who enjoy learning through experimentation. Readers should have a basic understanding of C# and familiarity with the .NET ecosystem.

Table of Contents

1. Building an adventure game console app with .NET and Spectre.Console
2. Recreating the Enigma machine with Object-Oriented Programming
3. Exploring infinite worlds with procedural generation
4. Building a Data-Driven Role-Playing Game
5. Tracking collectible card games with ASP.NET minimal APIs and Entity Framework
6. Creating a trading card tracker using Blazor WebAssembly
7. Building a cross-platform chatbot with Uno Platform and ELIZA
8. Building conversational AI partners with Ollama and Microsoft.Extensions.AI
9. Building an AI librarian with Microsoft Agent Framework
10. Building and monitoring a Model Context Protocol server with Aspire
11. Predicting values with machine learning, IoT data, and ML.NET
12. Recreating Pong in MonoGame with C#
13. Building larger games with graphics, collisions, and AI
14. Succeeding with side projects