programming-for-dummies

Chapter 2: Java and C#
In This Chapter
Understanding the C#/Java program structure
Declaring variables and using operators
Branching and looping statements
Creating data structures and objects
The Java language was meant to build upon the success of C++, but with
added safety features and true cross-platform capabilities. Unlike C++,
which gives programmers access to every part of the computer (along
with the equal capability of screwing up every part of the computer), Java
restricts access to the computer hardware. Although this limits Java’s flexibility,
it provides greater stability and reliability of Java programs.
The most appealing feature of Java is its cross-platform capabilities. Although
porting a C++ program to run on other operating systems is possible, it’s
rarely easy or painless. Theoretically, Java lets you write a program once and
then run it on multiple operating systems, a feature often described as Write
Once, Run Everywhere (or more whimsically, Write Once, Test Everywhere).
Sun Microsystems developed Java and in response to Java’s popularity,
Microsoft developed a similar language with equivalent goals — C#. Like Java,
C# is meant to build upon the C++ language while providing safety features to
make it harder to write programs that could crash an entire computer.
To make programming easier, C# relies on the .NET framework. The idea
behind .NET is to shield the programmer from the complexities of the operating
system. Theoretically, the .NET framework can be ported to other
operating systems, so C# could run on any operating system that can run
the .NET framework. Realistically, .NET runs only on Windows, although
programmers are trying to port the .NET framework for Linux too.
Although C/C++ remains the most popular programming language on the
planet, both Java and C# are poised as programming languages of the future.
Java is popular because it’s platform independent, so Macintosh and Linux
users can take advantage of Java. C# is most popular among Windows programmers
because Microsoft has positioned C# as the future programming
language for Windows.