Introduction to C#
- Introduction to C#
- Why Learn C#?
- Overview of C# 13.0 Features
What is C#?
C# (pronounced “C-Sharp”) is a programming language created by Microsoft. Developers use it to build apps, games, and websites. It is easy to learn and powerful. Many famous apps, like Microsoft Office and Unity games, use C#.
C# is part of the .NET framework. This means it runs on different devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With C#, you can create mobile apps, web applications, and even artificial intelligence projects.
Who Developed C# and When?
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Developed by: Microsoft
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Lead Developer: Anders Hejlsberg
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Year of Development: Early 2000s
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First Release: C# 1.0 in 2002
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Purpose: Created for the .NET Framework to build software, web apps, and games
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Evolution: Continues to improve with new features in each version.
What is C# Used For?
C# is a flexible language. It is used in many industries, including:
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Game development – Popular games like those in Unity use C#.
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Web applications – Websites and online tools are built with C#.
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Desktop applications – Software like Microsoft Office runs on C#.
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Mobile apps – You can create Android and iOS apps using Xamarin (C#).
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Cloud computing – C# helps build and manage cloud-based services.
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AI and machine learning – Some AI tools use C# for automation and analysis.
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Internet of Things (IoT) – Smart devices and gadgets work with C#.
Why Should You Learn C#?
C# is a great choice for beginners. The rules are simple, and the code is easy to read. Big companies use C#, so learning it can help you get a good job in the future.
This language is also very flexible. You can build websites, mobile apps, and even video games with it. Many popular games, like those made with Unity, use C#.
Another reason to learn C# is its strong community. Many people share code and help each other online. If you ever get stuck, you can find answers easily.
Features of C#
C# has many useful features that make coding easier:
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Simple and easy to learn – Great for beginners.
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Object-oriented – Helps organize code into reusable parts.
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Cross-platform support – Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
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Strong memory management – Reduces crashes and errors.
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Rich libraries – Provides many built-in tools to speed up development.
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Secure and fast – Prevents hacking risks and runs efficiently.
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Automatic garbage collection – Cleans up unused memory automatically.
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Supports modern programming – Works well with AI, cloud, and IoT projects.
What’s New in C# 13.0?
C# keeps improving. The latest version, C# 13.0, brings new features that make coding easier. Here are some of the exciting updates:
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Simpler code writing – Some rules are now easier to follow.
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Better performance – Programs run faster and use less memory.
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New ways to store data – More options to organize and save information.
These improvements help developers write better programs with less effort.
C# Version History
C# Version History
- C# 1.0 (2002) – Introduced with .NET Framework 1.0
- Basic object-oriented programming
- Classes, structs, interfaces, and delegates
- C# 2.0 (2005) – Improved productivity
- Generics
- Anonymous methods
- Nullable types
- Iterators
- C# 3.0 (2007) – Introduced LINQ
- Implicitly typed variables (
var
) - Lambda expressions
- Extension methods
- Object and collection initializers
- Implicitly typed variables (
- C# 4.0 (2010) – Added dynamic programming
- Dynamic keyword (
dynamic
) - Named and optional parameters
- COM interoperability improvements
- Dynamic keyword (
- C# 5.0 (2012) – Improved asynchronous programming
async
andawait
keywords- Caller info attributes
- C# 6.0 (2015) – Made syntax cleaner
- Null-conditional operator (
?.
) - String interpolation (
$""
) - Expression-bodied members
- Null-conditional operator (
- C# 7.0 (2017) – Added performance improvements
- Tuples (
(int, string)
) - Pattern matching
- Local functions
- Tuples (
- C# 8.0 (2019) – Introduced modern programming features
- Nullable reference types
- Default interface methods
- Async streams
- C# 9.0 (2020) – Made coding more concise
- Records (immutable objects)
- Init-only properties
- Top-level statements
- C# 10.0 (2021) – Improved performance and clarity
- Global
using
directives - File-scoped namespaces
- Record structs
- Global
- C# 11.0 (2022) – Focused on developer productivity
- Raw string literals (
"""
) - List patterns
- Required members
- Raw string literals (
- C# 12.0 (2023) – Added flexibility
- Primary constructors
- Inline arrays
- Collection expressions
- C# 13.0 (2024) – Latest enhancements
params
collections- Method group natural type
- Partial properties and indexers