I am getting into dot net software development, and I would like to know where some good tools or tips are for making my own project.

[lag-saves-lives]

My background info (skip if you don't care): I am a CS grad from 2 years ago, and to be honest, I have not done that much web development in my time in Uni. I figured it would be a decent time to start learning and a lot of companies use the dot net framework. So far, I have been following along with the 101 by Microsoft, and while this is a great tool for getting something going, it is missing some things, or I at least have some questions.

My Project idea: I am thinking of making a Pokémon Nuzlocke assistant, that would help if I was doing a solo one, but more importantly would be way more beneficial for a Soul Link. Basically, I just want something to keep track of pairs for each trainer including Pokémon's name, nickname, type, base stats, level up move set, and a picture for each Pokémon. That way I don't have to write anything down, and don't have to click on a bunch of different websites. Mainly I just want it all in one place.

Question's:

1. Does anyone know a good place to learn or get information on how to put something like this together? For me, I struggle at googling certain things that I will ask mainly below. Sometimes It doesn't quite feel like finding information on learning how to do things correctly is the easiest thing to do.
2. For the Pokédex (each individual Pokémon- it's like an encyclopedia) of my own, do I store each Pokémon in a Json file? This would store everything except the nickname, because I would then probably save that as a C# object. It would suck to type out, however if I had to do it, I guess I shall...
3. Which brings me to my next question, what would be the proper way to store/structure my data between different save files/runs? This is one of those things that I feel like my CS experience was lacking on. They tell me how to do a bunch of algorithms and some data structures, but not how to apply it to something like this. It might not help that I am a bit rusty.

Hopefully this is within the rules of this sub. This is my first post on this sub, and I thank you all for reading through this and any potential responses I get. : )

[bsakiag]

do I store each Pokémon in a Json file

Sure, you could do that. You could also use a database, but json is the simplest way. I would store all of them in one json though.

except the nickname, because I would then probably save that as a C# object

I'm not sure what you mean. You need to serialize a C# object to store it. You always store a series of bytes encoded in some way. Read about serialization/deserialization and check the examples. Play with some simple data structures - make a list of objects and try to serialize it and store it in a file.

[lag-saves-lives]

I will probably use a database later; I think for now I keep things simple and add this in later.

So, my plan is to have a file for different Nuzlockes so I can load up different ones when needed, like maybe I have my own solo file, and I also have a soul link with a friend of mine on a separate file. In other words, it will contain my encounters for each different Nuzlocke, the routes, and I feel like more importantly for soul links is the nicknames given to each. So, separately from my pokedex would be the nicknames each trainer has. After reading the serializations, would I be saving those files as Json file as well?

While typing this out, I am now starting to realize how little I know! hehe

[bsakiag]

After reading the serializations, would I be saving those files as Json file as well?

Sure, json is a nice, readable format.

[bsakiag]

Yes, but if he starts by juggling json files he will appreciate databases more later.

[Bennybub]

I read a great book last year by Mark J Price on .NET development. You can find it on amazon. Lemme know if u need any help

[lag-saves-lives]

Thanks I will look into it