C# and Java are two very popular programming languages, each regularly topping the charts of the top 5 most widely use programming languages in the world. Both programming languages share a similar syntax and structure, and are often considered to be part of the same family of programming languages – notably, the “C-family”, which includes C, C++, and Java. Differences do exist between the two, however, and in programming tutorial, we will discuss the key differences between C# and Java, such as their syntax, performance, and memory management. Code examples will also be provided to better illustrate the differences in variable declaration, class creation, the use of pointers, string manipulation, and exception handling.

Read: Tips for Remote Developers

Differences Between C# and Java

Below are some key differences developers will find when choosing between working with C# and Java for their software development, including:

• Language type
• Syntax
• String Manipulation
• Exception and Error handling
• Performance
• Memory management and resource allocation

Language Type

One of the most important differences between C# and Java has to do with the type of language they are or their paradigm. Java is largely considered an object-oriented language programming language, which means it focuses on structuring programs through the use of objects and classes. In reality, however, Java is not a true OOP language, but, rather, has features of object oriented programming, such as inheritance, polymorphism, the use of classes and objects, and encapsulation. The use of primitive data types versus data types that are strictly objects, disqualifies it from being 100% object oriented.

Meanwhile, C#, is built on several development paradigms, including object-oriented, functional, and imperative programming.

A brief note: object-oriented programming (OOP) is based on the concept of objects, which contain data and the code required to manipulate that data. In Java, objects are created using classes, which can be thought of as “blueprints” that help define the attributes and methods that an object can possess. C# uses classes as well in order to create objects, but it supports functional programming concepts like lambda expressions and anonymous methods as well.

Syntactical Differences

C# and Java have several important syntactical differences as well, which can significantly impact how the languages are used. One of the main differences in their syntax has to do with the way Java and C# handle variable declaration.

In Java, variables are declared using the following syntax:

   = ;

Here is some sample code showing how to create and declare a variable in Java:

 int x = 10;
String name = "Nick";

Meanwhile, in C#, variables are declared using the following syntax:

   = ;

Here is some sample code showing how to create and declare a variable in C# – can you spot the difference?

 int x = 10;
 string name = "Nick";

You may have noticed that C# uses the keyword string instead of String, which is used by Java. A small, but notable difference.

Another difference between C# and Java with regards to data types is how pointers are handled. Java, for its part, does not have pointers, whereas C# does.

In C#, you can declare a pointer using the “*” symbol, as shown in the example code below:

 int* pointer;

The above C# code declares a pointer with an integer (or int) variable. The pointer can be assigned a memory address, which marks it for later use when a programmer needs to manipulate or reference the value stored in that specific memory address.

Class Differences in C# and Java

Both C# and Java rely on classes are to define objects. However, the way each declares a class differs. In Java, classes are declared with the class keyword, as shown in the following code example:

 public class ComicBook {
 	private String title;
 	private int issue;
	public ComicBook(String title, int issue) {
     	this.title = title;
     	this.issue = issue;
 	}
	public String getTitle() {
     	return title;
 	}
	public int getIssue() {
     	return issue;
 	}
 }

The code above defines a ComicBook class with two private fields: title and issue. The class additionally includes a constructor that takes two parameters – title and issue and two methods: getTitle() and getIssue().

In C#, classes are also declared using the class keyword, as shown here:

public class ComicBook {
 	private string title;
 	private int issue;
	public ComicBook(string title, int issue) {
     	this.title = title;
     	this.issue = issue;
 	}
	public string GetTitle() {
     	return title;
 	}
	public int GetIssue() {
     	return issue;
 	}
 }

You may have noticed that the syntax for declaring classes is almost identical between C# and Java. However, C# uses lowercase for method names while Java makes use of camel case.

Another difference involves how access modifiers are used. In Java, access modifiers such as public, private, and protected control the visibility of a class, method, or field, as well as define how they can be accessed. In C#, access modifiers are also used, but they are preceded by the accessibility keyword. Observe the code below:

public class ComicBook {
 	private string title;
 	private int issue;
	public ComicBook(string title, int issue) {
     	this.title = title;
     	this.issue = issue;
 	}
	internal string GetTitle() {
     	return title;
 	}
	internal int GetIssue() {
     	return issue;
 	}
 }

Here, the internal keyword is used versus public</b, making the methods visible only within the same assembly.

You can learn more about C# access modifiers in our tutorial: C# Access Modifiers.

String Manipulation in Java and C#

Manipulating strings is a common task in all programming languages, and C# and Java are no exceptions. Both languages provide similar functionality when it comes to working with strings, but each uses different syntax to achieve the same results. For instance, In Java, strings are objects that can be created using the String class. Here is some example code showing how to create a string in Java using the String class:

String name = "Nick";
int length = name.length();

In this Java code, the length() method gets the length of the string. In C#, strings are also objects, but they get created using the string keyword instead, as shown in this code snippet:

 string name = "Nick";
 int length = name.Length;

Notice, too, that the length() method is replaced with the Length property in C#.

Exception Handling Differences in C# and Java

Both C# and Java have mechanisms and features to help developers handle exceptions. Java, for its part, uses try-catch blocks for exception handling. Here is an example of how to handle exception with try-catch blocks in Java:

 try {
 	// code that yields an exception error
 } catch (Exception e) {
 	// code to retrieve and process the exception
 }

Meanwhile, in C#, exceptions, too, are handled using the try-catch block method, as shown here:

 try {
 	// code that yields an exception error
 } catch (Exception e) {
 	// code to retrieve and process the exception
 }

Application Performance

Application performance is also important when choosing a programming language. C# and Java are both compiled languages, meaning their code is converted into machine code prior to execution. That being said, there are differences in how each language is optimized, which, in turn, impacts performance.

Typically, developers consider C# to be faster than Java. This is especially true when it comes to memory management. C# makes use of a garbage collector to manage memory, which makes memory management more efficient. Java uses its own form of garbage collection via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and Just-in-Time compilation (JIT) which optimizes code for use on specific platforms.

You can learn more about JIT and the JVM in our tutorial: What is the Java Virtual Machine?

Memory Management

As discussed above, memory management is another important factor when deciding between C# and Java, who both rely on garbage collectors to manage memory. This reliance makes it so developers do not need to worry about manually allocating and deallocating memory resources. There are differences to note, mind you, in how C# and Java garbage collectors work, which can impact memory usage.

As stated, C# is generally considered more efficient in terms of memory management compared to Java. This is because C# uses a generational garbage collector, meaning objects that have been recently created are more likely to be collected than objects that have not. This leads to more efficient use of memory resources when compared to Java, which uses a mark-and-sweep approach to garbage collection when clearing temporary data that is no longer required.

Which is Better: C# or Java?

When choosing between C# and Java, your decision will ultimately depend on the needs and requirements of the software project and the personal preferences of the developer. C# is a great choice for Windows-based applications and if you want to code in the ,NET framework, especially if your application will require high performance and efficient memory management. Java, for its part, is a great choice for cross-platform development applications that can run regardless of system architecture or hardware and is great for web-based applications.

Final Thoughts on C# versus Java

In this programming tutorial, we look at two popular programming language options: C# and Java. We learned that both languages are object-oriented (or have object oriented features) and share similar syntax. There are differences in their paradigms, syntax, performance, and memory management, however, which sets them apart. C# and Java both have their strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right one is largely based on project needs. Understanding their differences can help developers and programmers choose the right language for their software development projects and help optimize their development process.

Read: Top Code Refactoring Tools for C# Developers

The post C# vs Java appeared first on CodeGuru.

Without a doubt, C and C# are two of the most powerful and popular programming languages used for software development in the world. Both languages share certain similarities, as their names suggest; however, they are also very different in terms of structure, syntax, performance, and, perhaps most notably, memory management. In addition, C and C# differ in terms of why a developer or programmer would choose to work with one over the other. This programming tutorial will compare C and C#, discuss their differences, and highlight each language’s strengths and weaknesses.

Read: Top Online Courses to Learn C#

What are the Differences Between C# and C?

Below, we will discuss some of the differences between C# and C, which include:

• Procedural versus Object Oriented Programming
• Syntax
• Manipulating Strings
• Exception Handling
• Performance and efficiency
• Memory Management

Procedural versus Object Oriented Programming

C, at its core, is a procedural programming language, which refers to its step-by-step, “top down” method of programming. C uses functions – or procedures – that get called in a particular sequence in order to achieve an outcome. This top-down programming approach breaks down a problem, issue, or task into smaller tasks, which are then “solved” by working from the main problem down into its smaller problems.

C#, meanwhile, is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language. This means that C# is based on the concept of objects and classes and a parent-child-inheritance principle. Objects are made of both data and behavior, and are used to represent real-world things. These objects are created from classes, which can be thought of as the blueprints for objects.

Classes, for their part, are self-contained pieces of code that consist of the properties and methods of the objects that are created from them. Finally, in C#, developers use the principles of OOP, such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism to make code more secure, reusable, readable, and maintainable.

You can learn more about object-oriented programming concepts in the following tutorials:

• C# Object Oriented Programming for Beginners
• Introduction to Classes in C#
• C# Objects: A Deep Dive

C’s top-down programming approach is great for problem-solving smaller projects or tasks that can easily be broken down into easy, discrete steps. One good question to ask yourself when considering this type of programming methodology is whether or not the problem can be solved in a sequential or step-by-step manner.

C#’s OOP approach is better suited for larger projects that involve complex relationships and behaviors between objects and in situations where coding efficiency, security, flexibility, modulation, and reusability are more important.

Syntax Differences Between C and C#

One of the biggest differences between C# and C has to do with their syntax. C’s syntax focuses on low-level programming constructs, while C#’s syntax places a greater emphasis on object-oriented concepts and principles.

One example of the differences between C# and C’s syntax has to do with variable declaration. In C, developers declare variables with the data type placed before the name of the variable. Here is an example of variable declaration in C:

int num;
float price;

In C#, variables are declared with the var keyword, which infers the data type. This is then followed by the variable name. Here is how programmers can declare a variable in C#:

var num = 0;
float price = 0.0f;

Another syntactical difference between C# and C is the fact that C allows for low-level memory management via the use of pointers. The following code example shows how to declare a pointer in C using the * operator:

int* ptr;

C# does not allow developers to explicitly use pointers; to achieve the same type of functionality would require a C# programmer to use unsafe code, which is beyond the scope of this tutorial.

As noted previously, C# is an object oriented language. C, meanwhile, is not, and therefore does not have built-in support for classes or other OOP concepts. C coders can, ultimately, mimic class functionality, but it requires complex structures to achieve what C# does naturally and with much less effort.

Since C# is an object-oriented programming language, classes in C# can be declared with the class keyword, as shown in the code example below:

public class MyClass
{
    // class members and methods
}

Manipulating Strings in C# and C

The way string data types are manipulated in C# and C is also a key difference between the two languages. In C, strings are represented as an array of characters and are null-terminated using the\0 character. Here is an example of this in C:

char str[] = "Hello, World!!";

In C#, strings are objects that are manipulated using the methods and properties of the String class. The C# code below achieves the same thing as the C code in our previous example:

string str = "Hello, World!";

Read: Top Code Refactoring Tools for C# Developers

Exception Handling

Exception handling and error handling differs between C# and C as well. In the C programming language, errors are typically handled using return codes giving information about the error or by terminating the program altogether.

Handling errors is different in C#, where programmers use exceptions to handle errors, which can be “caught” using try-catch blocks, as shown in this example code:

Try
{
    // code that might return an exception error
}
catch(Exception ex)
{
    //code that handles the exception
}

Performance and Efficiency

C is well-known for being a high performance programming. This is due to its low-level programming constructs and direct access to memory. C#, on the other hand, is a higher-level language, meaning that, in some instances, it can be slower than C. This difference has mostly been mitigated in recent years, thanks to introduction of the .NET Core runtime and other C# language optimizations. Presently, C# is now considered comparable to C in terms of overall performance.

Memory Management in C# and C

Lastly, C, being a low-level programming language, gives developers direct access and control over memory management. This equates to greater efficiency and performance in created software; it also means that programmers need to be cautious to avoid memory leaks.

C#, as a higher-level language, includes automatic memory management courtesy of the .NET runtime, which manages memory allocation and deallocation for the developer. This comes at a slight cost to performance, as garbage collection can be resource intensive in some instances/ However, this is mostly negligible and well-worth the trade off for many developers who do not wish to be burdened with memory management.

Which is Better: C# or C?

Deciding which language is better – C# or C – is a complicated process that largely depends on the needs of the developer and the project at hand, as well as which career path the programmer will pursue.

C is often chosen for developers wanting to program systems or pursue embedded development (such as the IoT and smart devices), as it provides low-level access to hardware and the direct manipulation of memory resources. Developers creating an operating system, device driver, or system-level software, would be wise to choose C as their primary programming language.

If you are into video game programming or game development, C# is a better option, as it provides a high-level, object-oriented approach that is more tailored for the complexities of game logic and working with graphics. C# game developers will also be supported by game development tools and game engines like Unity, which is built on C#. Game engines and mobile developer low-code platforms provide powerful, pre-built tools for game development, and C# is streamlined for creating complex game logic routines.

For Enterprise-level software, C# gains the edge, because its reliance on OOP provides an object-oriented approach that makes it easier to work with larger, more complex applications. Developers that want to create a scalable enterprise application will want to choose C# because of its scalability, ease of use, easier learning curve, readability, ability to integrate with databases, and the option to incorporate frameworks such as .NET. Finally, C# provides flexibility and can be used to create complex business logic processes and user interfaces.

Final Thoughts on C# versus C

In this programming tutorial, we discuss both C and C# and the differences between the two programming languages, including their syntax, performance, string manipulation, and memory management. We learned that C is a low-level language that gives developers direct control over memory management and memory resources, while C# is a higher-level language with object-oriented features and automatic memory management and garbage collection.

Read more C# programming tutorials and guides to software development.

The post C# versus C appeared first on CodeGuru.