| Welcome to C# for Java Programmers. I think you’ll find that this book will be both enjoyable and challenging at the same time. It will cover Microsoft’s new platform called .NET and the exciting new language for the platform called C#. According to Microsoft, the C# language is a simple, modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language derived from C and C++. But looking closely, you can see that C# also has a lot of similarities with Java. Our main goal here is to teach you the C# language by leveraging your existing Java skills.
I know, I know, you’re probably wondering why you should learn another language when you already know Java and are reasonably comfortable with it.Well, here are several reasons:
- First, it’s from Microsoft.When a big company like Microsoft puts most of their resources into a new technology it’s hard for developers not to take notice.This new technology will certainly make an impact in the industry.
- As a programmer, C# is a language that will benefit you if it’s add to your repertoire.With your Java skills, it’ll be a relatively small leap to learn this new language.Therefore, learning C# will increase your marketability in the workplace relatively painlessly.
- By learning C# and .NET, you’ll have several choices when implementing a solution for a specific project. For example, you can choose between .NET and J2EE when it comes to developing XML-based Web services.
- It’s arguable that Java lacks the performance needed when it comes to Windows applications development. C# enables you to develop fast
Before we start our journey into the C# language, let’s step back and look at the bigger picture. C# is a key part of Microsoft’s new .NET initiative.The Redmond view of .NET is that is provides a development platform for the Internet, while at the same time providing new application programming interfaces (API) to the Windows operating system. Internet development can come in many forms, but the key components of the .NET platform are Web Services, which will be discussed in this chapter.
The .NET platform is much more than a new language, a software development kit (SDK), or even an operating system. It offers powerful new services, a new processor-independent binary format, new managed languages, managed language extensions to existing languages, and more.These new tools will empower you to create amazing Internet applications, but effective use of these tools requires a firm background knowledge of the .NET platform. |
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