# C#?

C# — pronounced "*see sharp*" — is an object-oriented and [statically typed](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2690544/what-is-the-difference-between-a-strongly-typed-language-and-a-statically-typed) computer programming language created by Microsoft for use on its .NET platform. Its name comes from the C language, from which it inherits a similar syntax.

C# was created by [Microsoft](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kx37x362.aspx?f=255\&MSPPError=-2147217396) and standardized by [ISO](https://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_ics/catalogue_detail_ics.htm?csnumber=42926) and [ECMA](https://www.visualstudio.com/license-terms/ecma-c-common-language-infrastructure-standards/). It was officially released in 2002. Since then, the language has seen numerous improvements with the most recent version being [C# 6.0](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/articles/csharp/csharp-6).

C# developers are frequently referred to as .NET developers since the C# language is almost exclusively used with the .NET Framework. It is quite a popular language, generally ranking among the top five on many [different](https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/) [popularity charts](https://pypl.github.io/PYPL.html). It is most commonly used in enterprise software development but also has a thriving [open source ecosystem](https://github.com/trending/c%23).

## Technical details

C# was designed to run on the [CLI (Common Language Infrastructure)](https://ecma-international.org/publications-and-standards/standards/ecma-335/) and utilize the [.NET Framework](https://www.microsoft.com/net/download). It was built for multiple [programming paradigms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_paradigm), such as oject-oriented programming (OOP) and [functional](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_programming) programming. The language is compiled. It is statically typed, which means that the type of every variable is checked by the compiler. However, in version 4.0, C# did introduce a keyword, `dynamic`, for dynamic variable binding.

While originally built to run on Windows, C# was quickly ported to Linux and macOS by the [Mono](https://www.mono-project.com/) project. Today, C# is [open source](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn) and runs on the cross-platform [.NET Core](https://www.microsoft.com/net/core/platform).

## Getting started with C\#

Modern C# and .NET development can be carried out on a variety of platforms. The most common usage on Windows is through the [Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/) integrated development environment (IDE) but there are other tools available as well, such as the lightweight, cross-platform VS Code editor.

| **Operating System** | **Recommended Tools**                                                                                                                                                               |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Windows              | [Visual Studio](https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/), [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/), or [Command Line](https://www.microsoft.com/net/core#windowscmd)                      |
| Mac                  | [Visual Studio for Mac](https://www.visualstudio.com/vs/visual-studio-mac/), [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/), or [Command Line](https://www.microsoft.com/net/core#macos) |
| Linux                | [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) or [Command Line](https://www.microsoft.com/net/core#linuxredhat)                                                                         |

## Where next?

There is a wealth of C# information online, but here are a few links to get you started:

* [Microsoft C# Guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/articles/csharp/).
* [LearnCS.org](https://www.learncs.org/) interactive tutorials.
* [Microsoft Virtual Academy](https://mva.microsoft.com/en-us/training-courses/c-fundamentals-for-absolute-beginners-16169?l=Lvld4EQIC_2706218949).
* [Twilio C# Guides](/docs).