C# is a powerful multi-paradigm object-oriented programming language whose primary disciplines include a lexical scope, functionality, strong and static typing, as well as a generic class-based essence. Created by Anders Hejlsberg in 2000, C# was first presented at Microsoft. Today this programming language remains one of the most widespread.
According to Statista, C# occupied an eighth place in the top ten most popular programming languages of 2021, having yielded to Bash/Shell, Java, TypeScript, Python, SQL, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript, respectively. Therefore, almost 28% of respondents from the survey claimed to have been using C# as their primary programming technology.
From this article, you will learn the essentials of what C# is, the history of its creation, where it is employed, and how many perks it provides to its users. Read on and gain new insights!
The Creation of C#
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The ancestors of C# emerged in the 1960s, with the advent of new internet technologies. It all began with the development of the B language, built in 1969 by a team of enthusiasts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Notably, the existing PL / I language, primarily exploited for mainframes manufactured by IBM, proved sufficiently cumbersome and less suitable for creating the operating system referred to as UNIX.
Hence, enthusiasts resolved to build a new language called B. It was a typical representative of early imperative programming languages. Afterward, the language C was born, based on its predecessor, B. The creators of C were Denis Ritchie and Ken Thompson, who worked at the AT&T Laboratories. There was a need for a language that could bypass the rigid rules built into most high-level languages, thereby making them reliable and flexible.
In the 1980s, Bjarne Stroustrup had to create the C++ language project, the direct ancestor of C#. When Stroustrup was carrying out his research, he needed to come up with simulation software to mimic distributed computing. Ultimately, when Microsoft celebrated the Millennium, it decided to release new software products. By 2000, the company prepared the industrial versions of new component technologies in the areas of messaging, data exchange, and internet applications, such as COM+, ASP+, ADO+, SOAP, etc.
In order to simplify the work with these innovations, Microsoft elaborated on a toolkit for software development — the .NET framework. Given its ASP.NET Active Server Page technology, .NET helped sufficiently quickly develop web applications that could interact with databases. The C# language was created specifically for ASP.NET, written entirely in C#. Nowadays, this programming language is usually compared to Java.
In What Industries Is C# Used?
The younger generations examine C# mostly as a programming language referred to for Unity game development. Nevertheless, its original functionality was mainly limited to helping develop desktop software applications. Since C# is an object-oriented and multi-paradigm solution, today, its area of use includes game, web, and desktop development.
Such companies as Accenture, Invitae, Aristocrat, City National Bank, Microsoft, Stack Overflow, and the like continue to opt for C# as one of the key technologies for their products as well as services, making this tool a versatile solution for businesses.
C# In Game Development
Although the .NET framework is primarily used in web and desktop software development, C# is one of the most popular technologies in game development. Paired with the Unity game engine, this programming language allows developers to code complex game mechanics by writing scripts that breathe life into characters, quests, as well as virtual worlds. Unlike C++ in Unreal Engine, C# is more beginner-friendly and less overwhelmed with redundancies.
So, what games have been developed with the help of C#? Since you are unlikely to make a video game using C# alone without a game engine supporting its powers, there are not so many popular examples. Interestingly, most of them are indie products, inasmuch as Unity is a relatively free platform, allowing beginners to create profitable games almost for free. Among the most famous games built in C# are Hunt: Showdown, Temple Run, Pokemon Go, Super Mario Run, and the rest.
Among the most evident benefits of employing Unity’s C#-based API, there are:
- A beginner-friendly syntax and structure;
- A wide range of helpful and easily integrated libraries;
- Excellent support for mobile game development.
Still, C# also comes with a pack of drawbacks, such as:
- Its powers are limited to small- or medium-scale projects;
- It is chiefly meant for Windows-based development;
- It has a relatively bad garbage collection system.
Finally, despite all the pros and cons of using C# in tandem with Unity for game development, developers from other industries and fields are also fond of this programming language’s functionality to cover their needs.
The Functionality of C# in Web Applications
Many large-scale companies on the market refer to C# in order to build web solutions for their products or clients. For instance, if you visit https://program-ace.com/, you will learn more about how C# and .NET are used to create unique web and XR software solutions. Another example of where this programming language is applied involves the Xbox website, which is built using C#. Despite this technology’s old-school origin, it is widely employed in business.
The Functionality of C# in Windows Services and Workflow Apps
Today almost every custom software development company avails itself of C# or its .NET framework to offer high-quality solutions. For example, in Windows services, C# plays the role of the foundation for desktop software, ensuring their primary functionality. The same goes for workflow apps, which help automate multiple work-related processes. This, in turn, is a crucial aspect for companies, making C# a powerful and versatile technology.
Should You Go With C# As Your Main Instrument?
Without a doubt, just like many other technologies and programming languages out there, C# alone cannot serve as an ultimate solution to all the issues in web, mobile, desktop, or game development. It is a powerful tool used in a high number of industries and helpful in numerous cases, but it remains prone to multiple drawbacks, just as any other programming language.
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