C# Programming Language Overview

Introduction

• C# is a simple, modern, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language.
• Developed by Microsoft within its .NET initiative.
• Covers both basic and advanced C# programming concepts.

Audience

• Designed for beginners to understand the basics of C# programming.

Prerequisites

• Based on C and C++ languages.
• Helpful to have a basic understanding of C or C++.

Disclaimer

• Content is copyrighted by Tutorials Point.
• Reuse, distribution, or republication is prohibited without written consent.

Table of Contents

1. Overview
   • Strong Programming Features of C#
2. Environment
   • The .Net Framework
   • Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for C#
   • Writing C# Programs on Linux or Mac OS
3. Program Structure
   • Creating Hello World Program
   • Compiling and Executing the Program
4. Basic Syntax
5. Data Types
   • Value Type
   • Reference Type
   • Object Type
   • Dynamic Type
   • String Type
   • Pointer Type

Overview of C#

• Modern, general-purpose, object-oriented.
• Developed by Anders Hejlsberg for the .Net Framework.
• Designed for Common Language Infrastructure (CLI).
• Widely used for being simple, efficient, and part of the .Net Framework.

Strong Programming Features

• Boolean conditions, automatic garbage collection, standard library.
• Assembly versioning, properties, events, delegates, generics.
• Multithreading, LINQ, lambda expressions.

Environment

The .Net Framework

• Revolutionary platform supporting Windows applications, web applications, and web services.
• Multi-platform capabilities with languages like C#, C++, Visual Basic, and more.
• Components: CLR, .Net Framework Class Library, Windows Forms, ASP .Net, LINQ, etc.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for C#

• Tools: Visual Studio, Visual C# Express, Visual Web Developer.
• Visual C# Express and Visual Web Developer are available for free.

Writing C# Programs on Linux or Mac OS

• Mono is an open-source version of the .NET Framework.
• Allows running Microsoft .NET applications cross-platform.

Program Structure

Hello World Program

• Key components: Namespace declaration, class, class methods, Main method, statements, comments.
• Example provided with explanation of each part.

Compiling and Executing the Program

• Steps using Visual Studio: New project creation, code writing, and execution.
• Command-line compilation and execution explained.

Basic Syntax

Important Components

• Using Keyword: Includes namespaces in the program.
• Class Keyword: Declares a class.
• Comments: Used to explain code.

Member Variables and Functions

• Variables: Attributes or data members of a class.
• Functions: Set of statements performing specific tasks.

Identifiers and Keywords

• Rules for naming classes, variables, and functions.
• Keywords are reserved words predefined to the C# compiler.

Data Types

Value Type

• Directly assigned values, derived from System.ValueType.
• Examples: int, char, float.
• Use sizeof method to get the exact size.

Reference Type

• Contains a reference to the variables.
• Examples: object, dynamic, string.

Object, Dynamic, String Types

• Object type: Base class for all data types, needs type conversion.
• Dynamic type: Runtime type-checking.

Pointer Type

• Stores the memory address of another type.
• Similar to pointers in C or C++.

This summary captures the main topics and detailed explanations for supporting the learning process of C# programming as presented in the tutorial.