Professional C# 2005

Appendix D. C# for C++ Developers

This appendix is intended for developers who are already familiar with C++ and want to see what the differences are between C++ and C#. It surveys the C# language, noting specifically those areas in which it is different from C++. Because the two languages do have a large amount of syntax and methodology in common, advanced C++ programmers may find they can use this appendix as a shortcut to learning C#.

It should be made clear that C# is a distinct language from C++. Whereas C++ was designed for general object-oriented programming in the days when the typical computer was a standalone machine running a command-line-based user interface, C# is designed specifically to work with .NET and is geared to the modern environment of Windows and mouse-controlled user interfaces, networks, and the Internet. There is a similarity between the two languages, particularly in syntax, and this is not surprising because C# was designed as an object-oriented language that took the good points of earlier object-oriented languages—of which C++ has been arguably the most successful example—but learned from the poorer design features of these languages

Because of the similarities between the two languages, developers who are fluent in C++ may find that the easiest way to learn C# is to treat it as C++ with a few differences and learn what those differences are. This appendix is designed to help you do that.

The appendix starts off with a broad overview, mentioning, in general ...