Other .NET Languages

C# is the most popular .NET language but there are few other languages that may be used to write .NET programs:

-      VB.NET – Visual Basic .NET (VB) is Basic language adapted to run in .NET Framework. It is considered a successor of Microsoft Visual Basic 6 (legacy development environment for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95). It has strange syntax (for C# developers) but generally does the same as C#, just in different syntax. The only reason VB.NET exists is historical: it is successor of VB6 and keeps most of its syntax. Not recommended unless you are VB6 programmer.

-      Managed C++ – adaptation of the C++ programming language to .NET Framework. It can be useful if you need to quickly convert existing C++ code to be used from .NET. Not recommended for new projects. Not recommended for the readers of this book, even if someone has some C++ experience, because it makes .NET programming unnecessary complicated.

-      F# – an experiment to put purely functional programming paradigm in .NET Framework. Not recommended at all (unless you are functional programming guru).

-      JavaScript – it may be used to develop Windows 8 (Windows Store) applications through the WinJS technology. It might be a good choice for skillful HTML5 developers who have good JavaScript skills. Not recommended for the readers of this book because it does not support Console applications.