C#

Anders Hejlsberg arrived at Microsoft in 1996 with a solid reputation: he had developed the Turbo Pascal compiler and led the creation of Delphi at Borland. Microsoft then entrusted him with an ambitious mission: designing a new programming language for its future .NET platform. This language, initially called "Cool" during its conception, would become C#. The goal was clear: offer a modern alternative to Java, avoiding its pitfalls while adopting its best ideas.

C# distinguished itself from the start with its unified type system. All types, even basic ones like int or double, inherit from a single root type called object. This architecture simplifies data manipulation, regardless of its nature. The language also incorporates automatic garbage collection, which reclaims space occupied by unused objects, and structured error handling through exceptions.

Each new version enriched the language with substantial features. Version 2.0 introduced generics, which strengthened code reusability and type safety. Anonymous delegates expanded possibilities in event-driven programming. With version 3.0 came LINQ (Language Integrated Query) features, which radically transformed how data is queried and manipulated.

Hejlsberg and his team paid particular attention to version compatibility. Existing applications had to continue functioning with new library versions. This concern shows through in several design choices: the virtual and override modifiers remain distinct, method overload resolution rules are clearly defined. This rigor guarantees program longevity.

Research at Microsoft played a decisive role in the language’s evolution. Don Syme and Andrew Kennedy, researchers at Microsoft Research Cambridge, developed a prototype called Gyro to experiment with generics before their integration into C#. This collaboration between research and development illustrates well the pragmatic approach adopted: testing new ideas in exploratory projects before incorporating them into the production language.

C# gradually opened up to functional programming. Type inference, lambda expressions, all these concepts from languages like Haskell or ML were integrated over time. This evolution follows a general trend in the industry: programming paradigms blend together to offer developers more flexibility. The language nonetheless remains accessible to beginners, a characteristic intended from its conception.

The question of database integration comes up constantly. Developers must often juggle between C# and SQL, what Hejlsberg calls an "impedance mismatch" between these two worlds. LINQ addresses this problem by unifying the querying of various data sources directly in C# code, with consistent syntax.

Microsoft evolved C# and Visual Basic .NET in parallel, two languages that share many features while preserving their specificities. This strategy aimed to respond to the distinct preferences of their respective communities. The development team also maintains regular exchanges with researchers working on F#, the .NET platform’s functional language, to explore new directions.

ECMA-334 and ISO/IEC 23270 standardization established technical standards guaranteeing implementation consistency. This standardization reinforced the portability of C# applications and their independence from Microsoft.

C# resolutely adopts a component orientation. The language offers specific syntactic constructs for creating and using autonomous, self-documented software modules. This modular approach facilitates the development of complex applications and their long-term maintenance.

The C# developer community has considerably expanded, creating a rich ecosystem of libraries, tools, and best practices. Microsoft has managed to keep the language cutting-edge while preserving its stability and backward compatibility. The shift toward more declarative programming styles continues: developers describe their objectives rather than implementation details, leaving the compiler to optimize execution.

C# has adapted to the industry’s changing needs without denying its founding principles of simplicity and productivity. Guided by a clear vision and nourished by research, its continued development makes it an indispensable tool for modern software development.