What Is C#
C# is a fast-growing and in-demand language used for a wide range of tasks. It was originally created by Microsoft to meet company needs. At the same time, to avoid misunderstandings, it's a separate language and not an extension to the "C" line.
When Microsoft created C#, its mission was to develop a universal language that would help build software for different devices.
What does C# programming represent today? The reality is that we have a quite simple programming language, which is great for creating video games, apps, web services, and much more. This is what C# is used for by modern programmers.
The language is directly related to the .Net platform since it was initially customized to work with the framework. Further on we will talk a lot about the object-oriented language, where C# is used, and its advantages/disadvantages.
C# History Note
C# history goes back over 20 years, to the year 2000. When C# was first created, new technologies and messaging solutions, as well as the ones for data and web app development were also created by Microsoft. C# was a great tool used to promote these innovations among developers all over the world.
Additionally, when creating C#, its developers aimed at giving the world a simple and rich-in-features language. That's why it adopted some syntactic constructions from C++ (C# allows you to reload operators) and Visual Basic (C# uses class properties).
Let's take a look at the C# version history to understand how much the language has transformed today:
- C# 1.0. By modern standards, this version didn't provide any opportunities. However, it was a great Java alternative, which included classes, structures, interfaces, events, operators, attributes, delegates, and properties;
- C# 2.0. Appeared in 2003, this C# version had a number of improvements including partial types, generalized types, iterators, perspectives on creating stored procedures, triggers, delegate derivation, and static classes;
- C# 3.0. This version saw the world in 2008 and proved that C# was indeed a decent programming language. C# 3.0 had the following features: anonymous types, query expressions, extension methods, shared methods, object and collection initializers.
Other improved versions with new features and functions came afterward. Finally, the C# release date of the new 10.0 version was announced - November 9, 2021. This one had new features and functions like record structures, improved structure types, an interpolated string handler, enhanced property templates, and more.
C# Facts You Probably Didn't Know
The versatility and simplicity of the C# language, as well as its value to developers, is not all there is to it.
There are some interesting nuances you probably haven't heard of, which will help you understand the C# meaning. We have highlighted 8 crucial facts:
- C# is the first component-oriented language;
- Initially, the language was named "COOL" by Microsoft. However, its real name is related to musical notation;
- C# programming is versatile. Developers can use it to build anything, starting with games and ending with desktop and mobile apps;
- The language supports internationalization;
- C# is used as the main programming language for developing Windows Store applications along with XAML;
- C#.net has its own garbage collector;
- The language was originally developed as a Java competitor;
- C# is similar to Java and C++ but is, however, much easier to learn.
C# Purpose: Advantages, Features, Prospects
If you plan to become a successful developer, you need to understand how tools and technologies work. To begin with, let's figure the meaning of .NET, how it's used, and what is .Net used for.
At its core, .NET is a platform with tools and libraries used by developers to build various apps, including web apps, mobile apps, desktop apps, games, IoT, cloud, and microservices. The advantage of .NET, or, more precisely, its libraries and APIs, is that they support different languages (C#, Visual Basic, Visual C++, and F#).
Without this framework, developers would have to create a separate system for each programming language and download the environment, which would essentially violate the main rule: “Don’t repeat yourself.” Thus, programmers used the .NET framework to create an environment simultaneously for multiple programming languages.
To work with this platform, a language with a simple syntax and a large set of standard libraries was created, namely C#.
Now, let's find out what C# is used for. The ways of using C#, as mentioned earlier, are quite wide:
- Websites;
- Client and web applications;
- Cross-platform mobile applications;
- Unity and CryEngine games, etc.
The main advantages of the language are as follows:
- Support. Updates and additions appear regularly, and if any errors occur in the compiler, everything is fixed quickly. In addition, the libraries are amenable to permanent extensions;
- Accessibility. If there are any questions concerning the work of C#, you can find your answers online or in the corresponding docs on the official website;
- Flexibility. This one concerns development possibilities. We have already mentioned the tasks that C#'s toolkit solves;
- Garbage collector. Developers do not need to worry about how to clear object storage memory - C# will do it automatically. It manages the allocation and release of memory for your applications;
- Exception handling features will help you detect and handle runtime errors and maintain the normal flow of the app.
The advantages of the language include a large number of templates and libraries, which greatly simplify developers' work. You just need to download a ready-made solution and use it as intended. Moreover, most of them are absolutely free.
Despite all the advantages, C# also has its disadvantages. For instance, the language is easily disassembled, which means that your code can be seen by your competitors. However, you can use special tools to complicate the process and protect yourself.
So what does the future hold for this programming language? Now C# is in the top 5 popular programming languages of the world, and Microsoft does everything to retain this position. Moreover, C# is widely used in many large companies. All this makes it absolutely obvious that this language will stay at its peak for a long time.
Is C# Worth Learning?
The main question for those who are planning to engage in programming is which language to start with and whether it's worth learning at all.
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So why should you choose C#?
The answer is simple: C# provides the ability to create solutions from small to more global ones. Therefore, it's an opportunity for you to grow as a developer. Besides, every programming specialist will tell you about the versatility and popularity of the language. Microsoft pays special attention to the development of C-Sharp programming lanuage (C#), which makes it competitive.
How do you start learning C#? You need to familiarize yourself with the basic syntax and then start simple C-Sharp programming. In fact, the following plan will help you become a confident Junior:
- C# basic knowledge include machine math, variables and data types, methods, arrays, logical operation, and conditional statements;
- Ability to understand other people's code. This is a basic skill that you should pay special attention to. For this, pick up C# tutorials that include practical materials for C# learning;
- Understanding the principles of OOP (object-oriented programming). Sample topics here are “Inheritance and Polymorphism,” “Static and Nested Classes,” “Delegates, Classes, and Objects.”
To learn C-Sharp thoroughly you will have to spend a lot of time and effort. However, thanks to the abundance of information on the web (training videos, documentation, book materials) and the community, which has evolved quite a lot since the inception of the language, doing so should not be a problem.
Experienced programmers note that if you learn several hours a day, properly balance theory and practice, you will be able to write a decent code in a year and a half. You can boost the learning process if you turn to C# tutors for help. Find the most suitable way for yourself.
Conclusion
C# is a great programming language for those who want to enter the IT sphere in a short time and start building their career. Detailed documentation, a friendly community, and a lot of tutorials on the Internet make it easy to learn on your own. Moreover, Microsoft's interest in C# is a guarantee that the language will develop and remain in demand for many years to come.
