Learning C# after C++

Question

In a progression of languages, I have been learning C and C++. Now I would like to learn C#. I know there are some drastic differences between them - such as the removal of pointers and garbage collection. However, I don't know many of the differences between the two.

What are the major differences that a C++ programmer would need to know when moving to C#? (For example, what can I use instead of STL, syntactic differences between them, or anything else that might be considered important.)

Answer 1

C# for C++ Developers is a great place to start. It is a table that lists the most important comparisons between the two languages.

Once you have explored some of these differences, you might choose a self-contained project you have written in the past in C++, and re-write it in C#. In your first pass, you will probably just end up translating directly across, using the same design and algorithms. As you become more comfortable with C#, you will recognize ways to take advantage of language features only available in C#, as well as the incredibly versatile .NET Framework.

Answer 2

I think it's important to note that pointers weren't really removed from C#, but that they still exist, they are everywhere, and they are called references.