C# vs C++
C# is a modern, multiparadigm, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language. C# enables developers to build many types of secure and robust applications that run in .NET.
If you want to work on games, web applications, desktop applications, and augmented and virtual reality applications, you should learn C#.
On the other hand, if you are interested in working on large systems, games, servers, search engines, electronics, etc. you should learn C++.
C++ is a general-purpose programming language. It was designed with an orientation toward system programming and embedded, resource-constrained software and large systems, with performance, efficiency, and flexibility of use as its design highlights.
Comparing programming languages and choosing which one to learn or use for your next project can be tricky.
There are many factors to consider in order to choose the right programming language for the job you want to do.
Popularity, opportunities, type of projects, salaries, resources, learning curve, etc. are some of the factors that many people consider when comparing programming languages and choosing which one to learn or use.
Here are some of the comparisons and considerations you should make when choosing to learn a new programming language.
C# VS C++ POPULARITY
Comparing the popularity of programming languages is not an easy task because each programming language is different.
Although the usage of many programming languages may intersect, different fields and projects may require the use of different programming languages.
Plus, other programming languages have been around for a longer time than others, giving them more time to be tried and tested, so, bear that in mind.
If you want to learn a programming language solely for its popularity among developers, you should learn C# over C++.
Generally, C# is more popular than C++. According to a Stack Overflow survey of 2022, C# is the 7th most commonly used programming language, it is used by 29.72% of professional developers.
On the other hand, C++ is the 10th most commonly used programming language, it is used by 20.17% of professional developers according to the same survey.
C# is also loved by many developers than C++. As of 2022, C# is loved by 63.39% of developers versus 36.61% of developers who dreaded it.
On the other hand, C++ is loved by 48.39% of developers versus 51.61% of developers who dreaded it.
Ultimately, if your choice of which programming language to learn depends on popularity, you should learn C# over C++.
Also read Should I learn C# or Java?
C# VS C++ SALARY
Another popular criterion that many people use to compare programming languages and as an incentive to learn a new programming language is salary.
Salaries for developers differ from one company to the other and from one country to the other.
Experience is another factor that comes into play as far as salaries are concerned. The more experience you have with a certain technology or programming language, the more likely you are of getting a higher salary.
Generally, C# Software Engineers get higher salaries than C++ Software Engineers.
Glassdoor reported that in the United States, C# developers with 1 – 3 years of experience get an estimated base salary of $104,469 per year.
On the other hand, C++ developers with 1 – 3 years of experience get an estimated base salary of $93,359 per year, about $11,000 lower than C# software engineers.
According to a Stack Overflow survey of top-paying programming languages, C# developers get an average salary of $69,516 per year and C++ developers get an average salary of $68,000 per year.
So, if the salary is your major incentive for learning a programming language, you should learn C# over C++, because you are more likely to get a higher salary as a C# developer than as a C++ developer.
Here are some jobs you can do as a C++ developer.
C# VS C++ WHICH ONE IS EASIER
Some programming languages can be learned more easily than others. If you want a programming language that is beginner-friendly and can be used to develop different types of applications, you should learn C# over C++.
C# is easy to learn and work with than C++. It is also easy to maintain a C# codebase even when the project is huge.
If you are coming from a Java or Scala background, you will find C# even easier.
Contrastingly, C++ is one of the most difficult languages to work with. C++ is not very easy to learn and work with.
C++ concepts that allow developers to allocate and deallocate memory make it even harder to work with the language.
If you create an object in C++, you are responsible for destroying it once its task is done. On the other hand, C# has a garbage collector which will help you with memory management.
The good news is that there are plenty of helpful resources for both C# and C++ to help you learn the languages.
The C# and C++ communities are very big, active, and helpful, in case you get stuck with something.
C# VS C++ PERFORMANCE
If you plan on working on applications where top-notch performance is critical, you should learn C++.
C++ allows for low-level memory manipulation and efficient use of system resources and C++ code compiles to machine code, this makes it very fast and highly performant.
C++ is one of the few high-level programming languages in which petaFLOPS computations have been achieved, others being C, Julia, and Fortran.
C++ is a go-to language for high-performance applications and systems development. This is because C++ code works very close to the hardware, giving it an edge over many programming languages.
C++ has many advanced features that make it a popular choice for developing operating systems, compilers, game engines, video games, servers, space probes, desktop applications, telecommunication systems, embedded systems, and many other large applications.
C++ is used by many companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, Intel, Adobe, IBM, Epic Games, LinkedIn, NASA, Apple, and many others.
C# runs on the .NET, which gives C# a lot of features and functionality. The .NET also includes extensive libraries, these libraries support many different workloads.
C# code compiles to CLR (Common Language Runtime) which provides a lot of advantages to .NET developers.
C# has many amazing features that make it suitable for game development, full-stack web development, desktop app development, machine learning, and Augmented and Virtual Reality app development.
C# has the ability to utilize Language Integrated Query (LINQ) through the .NET Framework. This allows a developer to work with data from any source.
It also has asynchronous operations that provide syntax for building distributed systems.
Other popular C# features that make C# applications secure and robust include Nullable Types, Garbage Collection, Lambda Expressions, Exception Handling, etc.
C# is used by many companies such as Stack Overflow, Forza Horizon, Microsoft, UPS, Tencent, Alaska Airlines, BBC, Just Giving, FreshDirect, BBVA, LightSail, Astro Reality, VQ Communications, GoDaddy, Raygun, and many others.
C# VS C++ FOR GAMES
C# and C++ are very popular languages for game development. The two popular game engines Unity 3D and Unreal Engine use C# and C++ for game scripting respectively.
C++ is the most popular programming language for developing game engines. More Game Engines have been developed with C++ than any other language.
C# is a popular choice for game development among indie developers because it is easy to work with. On the other hand, C++ is a popular choice for professional AAA-level games.
Some of the popular games made with C++ include Fortnite, Brothers in Arms, Golden Eye: Rogue Agent, Medal of Honor, Shadow Ops, Shrek 2, Star Wars, Spider-man 2, Batman Arkham City, DC Universe Online, Mortal Kombat, Transformers, Crash Bandicoot, and many others.
There are also many popular games that have been made with C#, some of them include Pokemon Go, Monument Valley 2, Tempo Run, Robocraft, Angry Birds, Sonic Dash, Marvel Strike Force, Iron Man VR, Lara Croft Go, Super Mario Run, and many others.
Ultimately, if you want to make games quickly as an indie developer, you should learn C# and if you want to develop high-performance AAA-level games, you should learn C++.
SHOULD I LEARN C# OR C++
Once you have compared the languages and evaluated all the factors, you can choose which programming language to learn or use depending on the factors that are on your side and what you want to build.
If you want to work on large systems, performance-critical applications, AAA video games, search engines, operating systems, embedded systems, etc. you should learn C++ over C#.
If you want to work on games, web applications, desktop applications, and augmented and virtual reality apps, machine learning, you should learn C# over C++
