Mart Muller's Weblog

I often get questions about where to begin when you want to start developing in SharePoint. This question is quite tricky, because you can approach it in many different ways. Just start with your first web part or first dive into the wide range of functionality first?

Personally I would approach it this way:

• A good starting point is the Office web site: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointtechnology/HA102055631033.aspx . There are some video’s and explanations about SharePoint in general. Try to get to know the SharePoint concept of sites, lists, etc.
• Secondly I would suggest setting up a development environment: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb330848.aspx. Also make sure you get the SharePoint SDK (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6D94E307-67D9-41AC-B2D6-0074D6286FA9&displaylang=en)
• SharePoint guru Patrick Tisseghem wrote some articles about SharePoint development. Take an hour and read them, they help you a lot understanding SharePoint development. (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530302.aspx)
• Also check out the (free) online courses and video's about SharePoint development: WSS Development or MOSS Development
• Just start writing you first simple web part. Personally I would suggest doing it step by step the first time(s), to really get to know what's happening and why. Later on you can choose to use the visual studio extensions to simplify the development process. For a step-by-step web part development tutorial, check out one of my older postings: http://blogs.tamtam.nl/mart/CreateASharePoint2007WebpartStepByStep.aspx
• Always keep in mind that you are not the first one starting development in SharePoint. Thousands of developers have had the same challenge. Use that experience and search the Internet for code samples, approaches and other development articles!

I also read that there is a new web site online for SharePoint development. Check it out here: http://www.microsoft.com/click/SharePointDeveloper/

Good luck!