C# (“C Sharp”) is one of the fastest growing, most in-demand, yet “user-friendly” programming languages. It is a modification of the fundamental C language from Microsoft, designed to create the most versatile tool for software development for a large number of devices and operating systems.
A brief history of C# and its characteristics
C# is an object-oriented programming language. It was created between 1998 and 2002 by a team of Microsoft engineers led by Anders Heilsberg and Scott Wiltaumot.
The language is a member of the C-like family of languages. Its syntax is close to Java and C++. Its features are:
statistical typing,
polymorphism is supported,
operator overloading is supported,
delegation, attributes, events, generalized types and anonymous functions are available.
Microsoft development inherited many features from Delphi, Smalltalk and Java. At the same time, the creators of the new language excluded from their brainchild many practices and specifications, considered “problematic”.
The main advantages of the language
C# is popular due to its “simplicity”. Simplicity for modern programmers and large teams of developers, so that they can create functional and productive applications in a short time. Atypical language constructions and specific syntax that helps to implement the intended functions as organically as possible contribute to this.
The popularity of the language is another significant advantage. The great number of C# admirers contributes to its development. It also has a favorable effect on the growth of the number of vacancies related to development in the language of Microsoft. Programmers who are familiar with C# are in demand in the industry, despite their large and constantly increasing number.
C# clear syntax noticeably simplifies not only development as such, but also other important aspects of teamwork, for example, reading other people’s code. It simplifies the process of refactoring and error correction when working on applications in large teams.
It is also impossible not to mention the low entry threshold. C# is a popular and rather easy to learn technology. You can get practiced in development and start making full-fledged programs in just half a year.
What to develop in C#
The C# language is almost universal. You can use it to create any software: advanced business applications, video games, functional web applications, applications for Windows, macOS, mobile applications for iOS and Android.
Video Games
C# is without exaggeration extremely popular among video game creators. The language is used to develop games for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It’s all about Unity – the platform for working with 3D-graphics. C# is better adapted to work with this engine than any other language. That is why programmers usually do not choose, and directly use a bunch of Unity + C#.
From popular projects we can single out such game industry hits as Bastion (cross-platform RPG-adventure with isometric view), Wasteland (popular shooter in post-apocalyptic universe), famous Doom 3 and Hearthstone (card game in the World of Warcraft universe, created by Blizzard).
System security software
The security of your programs and operating systems is ensured by powerful C#-based utilities. A huge number of viruses that attack users’ computers on a daily basis are blocked by tools created with the Microsoft language. A similar situation is seen in big business – the world’s corporations are protected from hacker attacks by software written in C#.
Windows applications
Almost the whole Microsoft operating system exists thanks to C#. The utilities and applications you are familiar with are created using this language and frameworks developed for it.
This category includes Skype instant messenger, Internet Explorer browser, Visual Studio 2012 development environment, Microsoft Office (all its components, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and so on).
This includes products by Adobe (Photoshop, Lightroom), Mozilla Firefox browser and Winamp.
Mobile Applications
In some circles of programmers C# is considered almost as the best language for mobile application development. All thanks to the ability to create native programs for any platform (iOS, Android). To create applications that work perfectly on the iPhone and Android-smartphones, use the IDE Xamarin.
Of the famous programs written in C#, Slack, Pinterest, Tableau, The World Bank and others are worth mentioning. The “tile” programs that came with Windows 8 are almost all based on C# and XAML.