Ready to learn how to program using C#?
Whether you want to pursue a career in game development, add a new employable skill to your resume, or simply learn programming as a hobby, C# (pronounced C sharp) is a fantastic programming language to start with. As Microsoft’s leading object-oriented language, C# allows you to build a wide variety of programs and applications for Windows 8.
There are many different paths you can take to become a programmer and many languages you can learn. If you are brand new to programming in general, look to online courses to get a solid foundation. Once you have a working knowledge of programming fundamentals, you can jump straight into learning C#. The great thing about C# is that this programming language is approachable for developers of all levels, whether you’ve been programming for years or you just learned what “front end” and “back end” mean.
What is the C# language used for?
The general and versatile nature of C# means that you can perform virtually any programming task in this language. From manipulating databases to generating high-speed graphics in a video game to controlling electronic devices, C# has you covered.
Developers mostly use the C# language for website creation, Windows applications, and video game development. It’s also a great fit for creating mobile apps, cloud-based services, and various software products.
If you specifically want to enter a career in video game development, you will likely need to learn how to use C# within the Unity game engine, as this is one of the most popular tools for developing modern games.
Why learn C#?
With so many programming languages available that you can learn, why choose C#? Having a working knowledge of C# allows you to develop nearly any application or program for Windows. It also gives you a solid foundation for learning a few other programming languages.
Here are the most compelling reasons that C# is such a popular language in software development and why so many software professionals choose to add this to their knowledge set.
C# is specifically for software development
Firstly, Microsoft developed the C# language specifically for programming operating systems and PHP for web servers; other languages, like Java, were designed with different purposes and were applied to software development.
Microsoft combined aspects from Java, C++, and C to create the language C# — meaning it takes many of the best features from the languages that came before it to make it even easier for developers to accomplish their goals.
C# is the language of choice for many programmers because it has a unique set of features not available in other programming languages. The built-in functional and asynchronous programming capabilities, native garbage collection, and type safety set it apart from other popular programming languages.
C# programs are accessible to any device using Windows
As an added benefit, programs written in C# are very accessible. Any computer that can run a .NET framework, Linux, or the dotGNU project can use programs designed in C#. When you build an application in C#, anyone using Windows can access and use it.
C# is easy to learn
C# is a fantastic language, even if you don’t have prior programming experience. The structure and rules of the C# language make it easy for beginners to avoid common mistakes. Master this language, and you will be better off if you decide to learn C++ or Java in the future.
Anyone with a background in programming — especially in C, C++, or Java — will find it very easy to learn and master C#. Sure, some of the words will be different, but the structure is fundamentally the same. Think of it as the difference between learning two dialects of English. An American who orders “chips” in London may receive french fries instead of potato chips, but the basic structure of the language is the same; the American only needs to learn the specific vocabulary and intricacies of the London dialect.
C# is widely used
With the launch of Windows 8, any serious developer who wants to build Windows programs needs a background in C#. It’s one of the most widely used languages for developing applications both in Windows 8 and on the Windows phone.
C# has become so popular that it’s now an industry with a strong following that continues to grow each year. This means there are plenty of community forums, pieces of documentation, courses, and other forms of support for those learning C#. There are a ton of resources available to help you learn C#, including hundreds of websites and instructional guides to take you through the learning process.
C# skills are in demand
There are not enough people in the world who have the skills to work with computers. Professionally, programmers that know C# are in high demand, as more jobs require advanced technical skills. A working knowledge of C# and other programming languages can get you an interview at some of the greatest software companies around. Microsoft, Google, and Apple all hire programmers to maintain, build, and create new products — and offer incentives and large salaries to keep them happy.
With the backing of Microsoft, you can expect C# to stay around for a long time. For anyone looking to add new employable skills to their resume or enter a career in programming, C# is a great option.
Knowing C# can also open the door to lucrative job opportunities. The average annual salary for a C# developer in 2020 is $97,000. The most common professions in C# focus on creating business software applications or writing control software. You could even be a software engineer designing systems for nuclear reactors, aircraft, and rockets!
A working knowledge of one of the most useful and marketable programming languages can help you land a job, build a program, or simply boost the technical skills on your resume.
