C# - Overview
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.
Advertisement
Remaining Time -7:09
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:
Feature C# Java Python C++
Object-Oriented Yes Yes Yes Yes
Feature C# Java Python C++
Memory Automatic (Garbage Automatic (Garbage Automatic (Garbage
Manual
Management Collection) Collection) Collection)
Very
Performance High Medium Slower
High
Cross-Platform Yes (.NET Core) Yes Yes Yes
Game
Yes (Unity) No No Yes
Development
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!":
Open Compiler
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:
Open Compiler
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:
Open Compiler
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:
Open Compiler
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:
Open Compiler
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.
