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C# for Java Developers, Part I


C# / Java / Programming

C# (pronounced see sharp) first appeared in the year 2000, 5 years after Java. It’s currently at version 7, which was released in March this year. The language is similar to Java in many ways, but it’s also very different. Both Java and C# are typed statically and strongly, object orientated, use curly braces to define scope, and semi colons to indicate line endings. While they have similar syntax, the C# syntax differs enough from Java that it might look a bit confusing to a long time Java developer at first sight.

The structure of this guide is as follows: Each hand picked topic consists of three sub sections. One code sample from each camp, and then some quick bullet points that cover what I consider the most important takeaway from the particular subject. All code you see is also available in the C# for Java Developers GitHub repository.

A word of warning: I’m writing this guide as I learn C# myself, so don’t except everything to be 100% accurate. Consider reading this as a way to kick start your own C# adventure.

Without further ado, let’s jump in the deep end of the pool.

Code structure

We’ll begin like we always do when we’re learning a new language: Hello, World! It’ll fill us in on the basics. First, your familiar piece of Java code, then the mystery that is C#:

package net.vegard.csharpforjavadevs.structure;

public class Example {

    public static void main(final String args[]) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }

}

using System;

namespace VegardNet.CSharpForJavaDevs.Structure
{
    class Example
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
        }
    }
}
  • In C#, class names and file names do not have to match. In Java, they do.
  • [namespace](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/namespace) is C#’s version of Java’s package.
  • Unlike Java, C# files don’t have to be in a directory structure that match its namespace. Microsoft has a useful namespace naming guideline.
  • A namespace, and package for that matter, defines your code’s scope. The C# way to do it seems semantically more correct than the way it’s done in Java, but it adds extra white space to your code.
  • The C# [using](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/using-directive) keyword is similar to Java’s import keyword. using refers to a class’ namespace. In the example above, the Console class lies within the System namespace.
  • By adding using System on line 1 in the C# example, I can write Console.WriteLine on line 9. Otherwise, line 9 would have to read System.Console.WriteLine.
  • The C# code style convention is a little bit different than Java’s, but it’s nothing that’ll require you to rewire your brain:
  • Starting curly brackets are place on a new line.
  • Everything, except for variable names, keywords, and built-in data types, start with a capital letter.
  • C# Programming Guide: Coding Conventions.

Classes

In it’s most old-fashioned form, C# classes look almost exactly like Java classes1.

package net.vegard.csharpforjavadevs.classes;

public class Student {

    private String name;

    public Student(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    public void setName(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }

}

namespace VegardNet.CSharpForJavaDevelopers.Classes
{
    public class Student
    {
        private string name;

        public Student(string name)
        {
            this.name = name;
        }

        public void SetName(string name)
        {
            this.name = name;
        }

        public string GetName()
        {
            return name;
        }
    }
}
  • The C# constructor looks the same as in Java; it’s a method without return type, and with the same name as the class.
  • Like in Java, a default constructor will be generated by the compiler if the class doesn’t contain one.
  • Also like in Java, if the class contains a parameterized constructor, a default constructor will not be generated.
  • In addition to the access modifiers you know from Java, public, private, protected, and the default modifier, C# also supports [internal](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/internal). I’ll discuss access modifiers in detail later.
  • C# supports the same one-class-only class inheritance as Java. The : character is used to indicate that a class inherits from another. So for class A : B, class A inherits from class B. The Java equivalent would be class A extends B.
  • When using class inheritance, members of the parent class can be accessed using the base keyword, which is equivalent to Java’s super keyword. Note, however that there’s a significant difference in the syntax when calling parent constructors, as described in Using Constructors chapter of the C# Programming Guide.
  • If you want to prevent other classes to inherit a class, you can use the [sealed](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/sealed) keyword, as in sealed class MyClass. The Java equivalent would be to use the final keyword.
  • Like in Java, classes can be declared [static](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/static) and [abstract](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/keywords/abstract).
  • C# Programming Guide: Classes and structs.

Interfaces

There are no big differences between an interface in Java, and an interface in C#.

package net.vegard.csharpforjavadevs.interfaces;

public interface Reportable {
    void generateReport();
}

namespace VegardNet.CSharpForJavaDevelopers.Interfaces
{
    interface IReportable
    {
        void GenerateReport();
    }
}
  • Visual Studio will throw a fit if an interface doesn’t begin with a capital I.
  • Just like a Java interface, you can’t create an instance of a C# interface.
  • A C# class that implements an interface must provide an implementation of all methods defined by the interface. Just like in Java.
  • A class implements an interface by using the : character, the same character used for class inheritance. This is different form Java, where the two actions have different keywords, implements, and extends, respectively.
  • As far as I can tell, there is not C# interface feature equivalent to the default methods you can create in a Java interface.
  • C# Programming Guide: Interfaces.

Wrap up

That’s it for now. It’s important that your first bite of the C# cake isn’t too big, or you’ll get a bellyache. So far, this looks like a solid case of Same Shit, Different Wrapping. But don’t despair. First, we need to cover the basics. Then, we’ll get to the juicy stuff.

If you have any corrections, information you think can be useful, or just general praise, please post a comment.

Part II of this guide will be published When It’s DoneTM.

  1. Yes, I know the C# example below can be written a lot more elegantly. I’ll get to that later, so please hold your angry comments and hate mail. ↩︎

Feedback

Do you have any thoughts you want to share? A question, maybe? Or is something in this post just plainly wrong? Then please send an e-mail to vegard at vegard dot net with your input. You can also use any of the other points of contact listed on the About page.

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Vegard Skjefstad
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