Learning C# Language / PDF

Learning C# Language / PDF

Why C#?

First component-oriented language

As described, the .NET Framework and runtime solve and implement many lessons learned from the COM+ experience. However, many issues including component versioning and declarative behaviour through attributes do require direct support by the programming language.

While for .NET, the language C++ has been enhanced to become Managed C++, adding all of the required features, the language did certainly not become simpler.

And even with the enhancements that have been introduced to Visual Basic for .NET, many developers certainly prefer the structure of the C-language family to Visual Basic.

As a result from this, Microsoft has created C#, a member of the C-language family and the first programming language that has been explicitly designed for component development.

Power of C with the ease of VB

C# employs the brevity of the C syntax to the point of being partially source-code compatible for upgrading existing code, while being consistent, straightforward and easy to understand, a claim that cannot necessarily be made for C++.

Minimal learning curve for everybody

C and C++ developers as well as those coming from other similar languages such as Java or Microsoft JScript® will feel “right at home” in C#.

Much cleaner than C++

After a short while, C++ developers will appreciate not having to maintain separate header and source files and will certainly not miss C++ oddities such as double-colon operators.

More structured than Visual Basic

C# is better structured than Visual Basic, which is still a perfect tool for its simplicity to build ad-hoc solutions though rapid application development (RAD). For large projects, C# provides the proven C ability to express complexity in a brief, powerful and yet readable form.

More powerful than Java

Unlike Java, C# allow developers to reach out to existing C codebases through its support for native pointers in code marked “unsafe” and to directly interface with APIs and systems not written in the Java language. Through the Microsoft .NET platform, C# code always executes natively on the underlying machine, yielding maximum performance.

In addition, C# features properties, delegates and native event support, a built-in model for collections and versions, all of which are essential for component-based development.

Section 2: Elements of C#

This section will present the elements of C#

Shape and Structure

First we will discuss the outer form of C# compilation units (files) in comparison to C and C++.

Understanding the C# Type System

Then we will explore the type system that is available to C# developers.

Understanding the C# Language

Finally we will learn the various language features and keywords that make up the language C#.

Learning C# Language / PDF