DIfference between C++ and C#

[Glitchny]

what ecatly is the difference between the two languages? is there any significant difference, such as syntax and forming of programs, or is it jsut taht C# supports .net automaticly?

thanx

 

[jkresh]

c# is more object oriented then c++ and actualy in terms of syntax probably closer to java then c++.

 

[Nothinman]

C# is MS' attempt at replacing Java since Sun isn't playing nice with them (not that MS is playing nice with Sun either).

 

[manly]

Syntax is the least of the differences.

The MS .Net Framework runtime (an implementation of the CLR) is brand new, and wholly different from the statically-compiled design of C/C++. Like Nothinman mentioned, it's a slightly improved Java knock-off marketed as some revolutionary leap in technology that it isn't.

VC++ .Net is an interesting beast though, as they've mated it to the .Net runtime. From what I recall, unlike the other skinnable languages in MS .Net, VC++ .Net actually retains the existing C++ standard library. The "managed extensions" in VC++ .Net appear ugly as heck to me though (not that C++ has an elegant syntax to begin with). Of course, language aesthetics is largely a matter of personal opinion.

 

[Smurfwow]

c++.net's seamless integration of managed(msil) and unmanaged(asm) code gives the developer awesome power.

although c# supports unmanaged code to an extent, its lackluster compared to c++.net when it comes to things like com and pointer managment.

 

[Damascus]

A related side question, how many platforms is C# currently available to? I've
heard Windows and Linux..