Understanding Statements

A statement is a command that performs an action. Statements are found inside methods. You'll learn more about methods in Chapter 3, “Writing Methods and Applying Scope,” but for now, think of a method as a named sequence of statements inside a class. Main, which was introduced in the previous chapter, is an example of a method. Statements in C# must follow a well-defined set of rules. These rules are collectively known as syntax. (In contrast, the specification of what statements do is collectively known as semantics.) One of the simplest and most important C# syntax rules states that you must terminate all statements with a semicolon. For example, without its terminating semicolon, the following statement won't compile:

Console.WriteLine("Hello World");

TIP
C# is a “free format” language, which means that white space, such as a space character or a new line, is not significant except as a separator. In other words, you are free to lay out your statements in any style you choose. A simple, consistent layout style makes a program easier to read and understand.

The trick to programming well in any language is learning its syntax and semantics and then using the language in a natural and idiomatic way. This approach makes your programs readable and easy to modify. In the chapters throughout this book, you'll see examples of the most important C# statements.