Beginning Programming ALL-IN-ONE DESK REFERENCE FOR DUMMIES®

Chapter VI.2. Java and C#

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 ...