C# - Overview

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What is C#?

C# is a modern, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft and approved by European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) and International Standards Organization (ISO).

C# was developed by Anders Hejlsberg and his team during the development of .Net Framework.

C# is designed for Common Language Infrastructure (CLI), which consists of the executable code and runtime environment that allows use of various high-level languages on different computer platforms and architectures.

The following reasons make C# a widely used professional language −

• It is a modern, general-purpose programming language
• It is object oriented.
• It is component oriented.
• It is easy to learn.
• It is a structured language.
• It produces efficient programs.
• It can be compiled on a variety of computer platforms.
• It is a part of .Net Framework.

Key Characteristics of C#

C# comes with several key features that make it a powerful and reliable programming language:

• Object-Oriented: C# follows OOP principles, allowing the use of classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and encapsulation.
• Type-Safe: C# is a type-safe programming language that ensures secure coding by preventing unsafe memory operations.
• Cross-Platform: C# is a cross-platform programming language that means C# works on Windows, Linux, and macOS using .NET Core.
• Scalable & Maintainable: C# is well-suited for developing large and complex applications.
• Rich Library Support: C# come with many built-in libraries for UI, database handling, and networking.
• High Performance: C# compiles to Intermediate Language (IL) and runs efficiently on the Common Language Runtime (CLR).

Strong Programming Features of C#

Although C# constructs closely follow traditional high-level languages, C and C++ and being an object-oriented programming language. It has strong resemblance with Java, it has numerous strong programming features that make it endearing to a number of programmers worldwide.

Following is the list of few important features of C# −

• Boolean Conditions
• Automatic Garbage Collection
• Standard Library
• Assembly Versioning
• Properties and Events
• Delegates and Events Management
• Easy-to-use Generics
• Indexers
• Conditional Compilation
• Simple Multithreading
• LINQ and Lambda Expressions
• Integration with Windows

Why Choose C#?

C# offers a great mix of simplicity, performance, and flexibility, which makes C# a popular choice for building large and complex applications for the different industries.

• Easy to Learn: C#'s syntax is similar to C, C++, and Java, which makes it beginner-friendly.
• Strongly Typed: C# helps prevent errors by enforcing strict type safety.
• Versatile: C# is a versatile programming language, which means it can be used to develop desktop, web, cloud, and gaming applications.
• Large Community Support: There is a large community of strong C# developers with plenty of resources and documentation; you can take any support anytime and from anywhere.
• Seamless .NET Integration: C# works smoothly with ASP.NET, Blazor, Xamarin, and Unity for diverse development needs.

C# vs Other Programming Languages

The following table compares C#, Java, Python, and C++ based on key features to help you choose the right language for your needs:

Final Thought: C# is a great option for building business applications, developing games, and creating software that works on multiple platforms.

How Does C# Work?

C# works in the following steps:

• Writing Code: Developers write C# programs using Visual Studio, VS Code, or any text editor.
• Compilation: The written code is converted into Intermediate Language (IL) by the compiler.
• Execution: The IL code runs on the Common Language Runtime (CLR), which executes the program.

First C# Program

Heres a simple C# program to display "Hello, World!":

using System;

class HelloWorld
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
    }
}

When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −

Hello, World!

Where is C# Used?

C# is a versatile programming language used across various domains, making it ideal for desktop, web, game, mobile, and cloud development.

1. Desktop Applications

C# is widely used for building Windows applications using WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and WinForms.

In the following example, we are creating a simple Windows Forms application:

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Hello, Windows Forms!");
    }
}

2. Web Development

C# powers ASP.NET Core, a popular framework for building high-performance web applications.

In the following example, we are creating a simple ASP.NET Core API:

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

[ApiController]
[Route("[controller]")]
public class HelloController : ControllerBase
{
    [HttpGet]
    public string Get()
    {
        return "Hello from ASP.NET Core API!";
    }
}

3. Game Development

C# is the primary language for Unity, the worlds most popular game engine.

In the following example, we are creating a basic Unity C# script:

using UnityEngine;

public class HelloUnity : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Start()
    {
        Debug.Log("Hello from Unity Game!");
    }
}

4. Mobile App Development

C# is used in Xamarin to create cross-platform mobile applications.

In the following example, we are creating a basic Xamarin C# code:

using Xamarin.Forms;

public class App : Application
{
    public App()
    {
        MainPage = new ContentPage
        {
            Content = new Label { Text = "Hello Xamarin!" }
        };
    }
}

5. Cloud & IoT Development

C# is widely used in Microsoft Azure for cloud applications and IoT solutions.

In the following example, we are connecting to Azure Storage:

using Azure.Storage.Blobs;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        BlobServiceClient client = new BlobServiceClient("your-connection-string");
        Console.WriteLine("Connected to Azure Storage!");
    }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is C# free to use?

Yes, C# is completely free and open-source. It comes with the .NET framework, which is also free to use.

Q2: Can C# be used for game development?

Absolutely! C# is the main programming language for Unity, one of the most widely used game engines in the world.

Q3: How does C# compare to Python?

C# is faster and more structured, making it great for large applications, while Python is simpler and more flexible but runs slower.

Q4: Can I build mobile apps using C#?

Yes! With Xamarin, C# allows you to create cross-platform mobile apps for both Android and iOS using a single codebase.

Q5: What kind of applications can I build with C#?

C# is used for developing desktop software, web applications, mobile apps, cloud-based systems, and even AI-powered solutions.