Look Sharp with C#
With the explosive growth of computers, there is a huge demand for programming languages. PHP, Python, C, C#, and VB.NET are a few of the popular programming languages that present a career opportunity to coders. C#, which has been derived from C, is one of the most popular languages today. Before we talk about C# though, let us first briefly understand the differences between C# and C++ and C#. We need to do so because they are similar, as both of them are derived from C, but there are certain differences in the way they work. To begin with, C, C++ and C# are all computer programming languages. C was invented as a new version of UNIX by Dennis Ritchie in 1972. Still going strong, C is a powerful language that is considered one of the best languages for communicating at a machine level. C is a general purpose, low level programming language. The C compiler combines the capabilities of an assembly language with features of a high-level language, and is almost as fast as assembly code. C provides base-level access to memory, requires very little runtime support, and programs written in C are efficient and fast.
Both C++ and C# are derived from C. Like C, C++ is a structured language but unlike C, which is a procedural language, C++ is object oriented, and supports all OOPs concepts like data abstraction and encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, etc. C#, unlike C++, is a high level programming language that has been developed for the .Net framework. While C++ is an object-oriented language, C# is considered a component-oriented programming language. Whereas object-oriented programming focuses on the relationships between classes that are combined into one large binary executable, component-oriented programming focuses on interchangeable code modules that work independently and don’t require the coder to be familiar with their inner workings to use them.
Introduction to C#
C#, pronounced as C Sharp, is an object-oriented programming language developed that has been developed by Microsoft for the .Net framework in the early 2000s. it is approved by European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) and International Standards Organization (ISO). One of the main architects of C# was Anders Hejlsberg, who along with his team developed the language. The C# language is meant to be a simple general-purpose programming language consists of the executable code and runtime environment that allows use of various high-level languages on different computer platforms and architectures.
When the C# program is executed, the assembly is loaded into the common language runtime (CLR). It performs just-in-time compilation to convert the intermediate language code to native machine instructions. The CLR provides other services related to automatic garbage collection, exception handling, and resource management. Code that’s executed by the CLR is sometimes referred to as “managed code,” in contrast to “unmanaged code,” which is compiled into native machine language that targets a specific platform. [Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/tour-of-csharp/]
Features of C#
C# is component oriented structured language that is easy to use and can be compiled on a variety of computer programs. A component based language is one that has a collection of binary building blocks. One of the key advantages of having such blocks is that you can add and remove them as you per your requirements. If you need to modify a component implementation, changes are contained to that component only. No existing client of the component requires recompilation or redeployment. Components can even be updated while a client application is running, as long as the components aren’t currently being used. Improvements, enhancements, and fixes made to a component will immediately be available to all applications that use that component, whether on the same machine or across a network.
Being a .NET framework language, C# supports language interoperability. In other words, C# can not only access code written in any other .NET compliant languages like VB.NET, C++.NET, etc., it can also inherit the classes written in these languages. This makes switching between programming languages easier.
C# supports a variety of platforms including Visual Studio Code (an advanced code editor), Visual Studio (a powerful IDE), command-line tools, and other popular tools. The tools that these platforms provide make it possible to write C# code that is accurate and scalable.
C# provides features like Garbage collection that automatically reclaims memory occupied by unreachable unused objects. Nullable types guard against variables that don’t refer to allocated objects. Exception handling provides a structured and extensible approach to error detection and recovery. Lambda expressions support functional programming techniques. Language Integrated Query syntax creates a common pattern for working with data from any source. Language support for asynchronous operations provides syntax for building distributed systems.
Why Learn C#?
One of the easiest languages to learn with English-like commands, C# has syntax and features that resemble other popular programming languages like Java and C++. Therefore, if you have a prior experience with these coding languages, learning C# becomes easier. Even if you do not know any other language, learning C# is very easy. Even without any prior knowledge of programming, learning C# is easy as most of the commands are in English – like language. C# is a general purpose language and can be used to develop a variety of applications that include web applications, desktop applications, web services, and native Android and even iOS mobile applications. That said, C# is typically used in a client-server architecture using the .NET framework sees use in internal or enterprise applications, rather than commercial software.
Because it is such a popular language, and one that is relatively easy to use, C# offers great job choices for those want to make a career in programming. It is versatile, and at is developed within .NET framework, which is one of the most popular frameworks from Microsoft, it provide various IDEs to run C# programs that include Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Studio Express and Visual Web Developer. C# program files are easily editable with simple editors.