Programming with .NET
Chapter 3: Programming with .NET
In This Chapter
-
Introduction
-
C#
-
Visual Basic .NET
-
Visual J#
-
Managed C++
-
Other .NET Programming Languages
-
Interoperating with Different Programming Languages
Introduction
Microsoft developers working with Visual Studio and COM/OLE technologies have always enjoyed the benefits of a choice of programming languages for development of applications and components. Well, sort of. (For instance, components developed in one programming language couldn't be "inherited" from another programming language.) With the introduction of the CLR and the .NET Framework, this flexibility in the choice of any supported programming language for .NET components and applications still remains a key requirement. Out of the box, the .NET Framework and the key tool supporting the development, Visual Studio .NET, support four programming languages: Visual C#, Visual Basic .NET, Managed C++ (also known as Visual C++ .NET), and Visual J#. In addition, because CLR has already been recognized as a developing standard, third-party Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and researchers can "port" other programming languages to compile to the .NET runtime.
The genesis to this programming flexibility occurred for two reasons: flexibility and ease of migration and skills reuse. For instance, millions of Visual Basic developers worldwide can choose the Visual Basic .NET programming language for utilizing and enhancing their existing skills; C++ and Java developers have the option of using either Managed C++, Visual J#, or the new, innovative C# programming language. All four programming languages have similar common features; most can be used for achieving similar results. Each, however, has its own benefits and differentiators, but most of the differences lie in the language syntax.
This chapter briefly discusses four programming languages. A full description of all the features of each of the individual programming languages deserves a book by itself; there are, in fact, multiple sets of books that discuss each language individually. The rest of this chapter follows a hands-on, down-to-the-code style of introduction to programming languages. Each of the language sections is divided into similar sections:
Hello World
Comments
Data types
Enumerations
Arrays
Variables and constants
Expressions
Statements
Classes
Inheritance
Interfaces
Exception handling
Events
Delegates
You'll use sample programs for a hands-on understanding of the key capabilities of the various programming languages.