Welcome to the Capstone Project module! This final module is designed to consolidate and apply all the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout the C# Programming Course. The capstone project will give you hands-on experience in building a complete application from scratch, following best practices and utilizing various C# features and frameworks.

By the end of this module, you will:

• Apply the concepts of C# programming in a real-world project.
• Demonstrate your understanding of object-oriented programming principles.
• Utilize advanced C# features such as LINQ, asynchronous programming, and more.
• Implement data handling techniques including file I/O, serialization, and database connectivity.
• Develop a user interface using Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET Core, Blazor, or Xamarin.
• Follow best practices in coding standards, design patterns, and unit testing.
• Experience the full software development lifecycle from planning to deployment.

You will be developing a "Task Management System". This application will allow users to create, manage, and track tasks. The system will include features such as user authentication, task categorization, due dates, priority levels, and status tracking.

1. User Authentication

   • Register new users.
   • Login and logout functionality.
   • Password encryption and validation.

2. Task Management

   • Create, read, update, and delete tasks.
   • Assign tasks to different categories.
   • Set due dates and priority levels.
   • Track the status of tasks (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Completed).

3. Data Persistence

   • Store user and task data in a database.
   • Implement file I/O for exporting and importing tasks.
   • Use serialization for saving and loading application state.

4. User Interface

   • Develop a user-friendly interface using one of the following:
     • Windows Forms
     • WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)
     • ASP.NET Core
     • Blazor
     • Xamarin

5. Advanced Features

   • Implement asynchronous operations for data fetching and processing.
   • Use LINQ for querying data.
   • Apply design patterns such as MVC (Model-View-Controller) or MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel).

The project will be divided into several phases to ensure a structured and manageable development process:

1. Requirements and Planning

   • Define the project scope and requirements.
   • Create a project plan and timeline.
   • Design the system architecture and database schema.

2. Implementation

   • Set up the development environment.
   • Develop the core features of the application.
   • Integrate the user interface with the backend logic.

3. Testing and Debugging

   • Write unit tests to ensure code quality and functionality.
   • Perform manual testing to identify and fix bugs.
   • Optimize the application for performance and usability.

4. Deployment

   • Prepare the application for deployment.
   • Deploy the application to a web server, app store, or other distribution platforms.
   • Provide documentation and user guides.

You will use a variety of tools and technologies throughout the project, including but not limited to:

• IDE: Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code
• Version Control: Git and GitHub
• Database: SQL Server, SQLite, or any other relational database
• Frameworks: .NET Core, ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework, etc.
• UI Libraries: Windows Forms, WPF, Blazor, Xamarin, etc.
• Testing: NUnit, xUnit, or MSTest

Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Functionality: Does the application meet the specified requirements and perform the intended tasks?
• Code Quality: Is the code well-organized, readable, and maintainable? Are best practices followed?
• User Interface: Is the UI intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing?
• Testing: Are there sufficient tests to ensure the reliability of the application?
• Documentation: Is the project well-documented, including code comments, user guides, and installation instructions?

The capstone project is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and knowledge in C# programming. It will not only reinforce what you have learned but also provide you with a tangible project that you can add to your portfolio. Good luck, and happy coding!

In the next section, we will dive into the Requirements and Planning phase, where we will outline the project requirements and create a detailed plan for implementation.