MSDN's Cool Programming Tutor

The inviting welcome screen makes the prospect of learning how to program less daunting. Microsoft's Silverlight needs to be installed before using the Beginner Developer Learning Center.

The offer makes available for download all of the tools needed to complete each lesson. Here, users can download Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition or the entire Web Platform Installer, which includes components such as IIS Extensions and SQL Server Express. These components are used for the lesson in Web page development.

Also available is the ASP.NET Ajax Control Toolkit. This teaches how to use controls to create rich, interactive Web pages. Shown here is the slideshow control.

The Learning Center has a module to teach the development of Windows Applications. Here is a sample items tracking application built using C#.

Each lesson also features introductory videos that familiarize users with the development environment.

The Learning Center features a "Kid's Corner" to introduce kids to programming. Kids are taught the basics of VB, C# and other development platforms. There are exercises for beginning and intermediate students that include creating games, interactive programs and Web site development.

The site provides insight on how professional development works and how to become a professional developer. There is a link to Ramp Up, which is a free, community-based program that aids fledgling developers in building professional development tools.