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A client of mine wants me to do some work with C# and ArcObjects. However, I have no real experience with C# (or much ArcObjects except with Java to be honest). Rather than outsource the work, I thought I'd treat it as a personal training opportunity, which I've not done for many years; can anyone recommend a cheap resource for purchasing ArcObjects (C#), or a method of buying one solely for training purposes (clients have their own copy)?

I have chanegd this to outline I do not need, per se, training media, or details (although I am sure that will follow), but the actual software; I do nto want to shell out for commercial rates, if it is just for my own use.

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I'm sorry about the automatic downvote that was added during a previous merge. To compensate, I have added my own upvote. (AFAIK, there's no way for mere mortals unilaterally to change someone else's vote, even when it's a system vote. A bit of a bug in the merging process there: I'm looking into it.) But please clarify what you mean by "resource" so that this question attracts appropriate answers. – whuber♦ Sep 30 '11 at 17:22
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So from what I understand this question is not about training but about software licensing/procurement? – blah238 Sep 30 '11 at 17:48
@blah238 Yes, apologies for any confusion – Hairy Oct 3 '11 at 6:12

2 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

If you already have an ArcGIS Desktop license, you can develop for ArcGIS Desktop applications already using one of the ArcObjects SDKs (included on the ArcGIS Desktop installation media). As for an IDE, since you are interested in using C#/.NET, I'd recommend the free Visual Studio C# Express Edition.

If you need an ArcGIS Desktop license, you can request a free 60-day ArcEditor-level trial here.

If you're a student or educator you can get a 1 year ArcInfo version (Education Edition) through your university.

If you are or become serious about development (selling software/contract development work), or need to develop for ArcGIS Engine or Server, you should invest in an EDN subscription which gives you access to the full ArcGIS product stack to develop against (an ArcGIS Desktop license is an extra-cost addition).

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Actually; EDN out of the box doesn't give you the desktop side, only Servers and ArcEngine; you can by addons for desktop but remember these are yearly costs; not perpetual. While ArcEngine is a good point; it differs greatly from ArcGIS Desktop development since you have to build totally from the ground up. While it was a good effort to replace MapObjects, it hasn't taken off as well because of the costs for RunTime install licenses. – D.E.Wright Oct 1 '11 at 3:07
You are right, I added a bit of clarification. – blah238 Oct 2 '11 at 23:29
Wow $4000 - Might have to go and pimp myself out... – Hairy Oct 3 '11 at 6:27
@Hairy; that is 4K each year. – D.E.Wright Oct 3 '11 at 15:20
@D.E.Wright I Know!!!! – Hairy Oct 4 '11 at 9:25
up vote 3 down vote

If you're looking for training/resource materials you can find just about everything you need to know at ArcGIS Help for .NET Developers.

And if you want to quickly learn the basics of ArcObjects I'd recommend Getting to Know ArcObjects by Robert Burke. It's a bit out of date (uses VBA), but it's easy to follow and adapt to C# syntax.

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I already have the Burke book, and it's grand thanks for mentioning it. It looks like I am going to have to shell out for a license for arcObjects me thinks! – Hairy Oct 3 '11 at 6:24

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