C vs C++ vs C#: which programming language should you learn?

C vs C++ vs C#: Which Language Should You Learn?

Have you ever felt confused in the world of programming? With languages being the same or similar name—C, C++, and C#—it is easy to feel that way.
You are not alone! Whether you are a student who is looking to expand your skills or an employee who is looking to add skills, figuring out which one is potentially overwhelming. 

The bottom line is they are all “C “. It is just that one or the other seems to be more appropriate. Choosing right one can make a difference. This article will give you everything to know about C, C++, and C#, basics differences in programming languages, and help and determine the one to figure out based on your goals, whether it is web development, data science, and etc.
Are you ready to figure what is perfect for you? Let’s put it together!

What is C?

C is among the most ancient programming languages and came into existence in the 1970s. It is a procedural language that solves problems stepwise. The reason it is still in use is that it has proven ground-breaking for speed and hardware control.
The entire operating system and embedded systems run on C; the car software and IoT devices get powered by it. If you really want to know how computers work under the hood, C is where you start.

What is C++?

C++ is like the cooler sibling of C. It is an extension of C that added object-oriented features like classes and objects. That is what makes it so appropriate for complex projects. Do you play Fortnite or Overwatch? Then you are aware that game engines such as Unreal use C++.
This was, after all, an easy language to use. C++ is meant for anything and everything that needs to be very high-performance, real-time systems, and huge applications.

What is C#?

C# (pronounce it”C-sharp”) is the most modern kid on the block, made by Microsoft in the 2000s for Windows apps and web services and even for games with Unity. What is its superpower? Simplicity. Automatic memory management combined with so many tools makes it beginner-friendly. If you want to get into coding without sweating the small stuff, this one’s for you.

Distinct characteristics of C, C++, and C#

So what is the difference among them?
Here’s a simple comparison:

• C is low-level and efficient— ideal for writing system software.
• C++ brings out object-oriented capabilities, allowing you to build all sorts of applications.
• C# is high-level, designed to enable quick development on either Windows, or the web. 

Memory management is also a big consideration. In C, and C++, you manually allocate and deallocate memory— this is powerful but can be complex.
C# manages memory for you, which is easier but can lead to less efficient programs. If you need speed and have fine grained control over memory, you will contemplate C, C++.
If you need fast development and less headache, C# is the best for you.

Which programming language to learn for building websites?

Are you itchy to build websites? C# allows for web functionality with tools like ASP.NET. It is also widely used for enterprise application integration with Microsoft products.
C++ can also be used to write high-performance web servers; however, it would be overkill for 99% of all web applications.
C? Almost a definitive no; it is too low-level to accommodate web applications. Overall, C# is your best choice for web related development.

You can think of learning a programming language for machine learning and data science purposes !

For data scientists and ML developers, C++ is a language in fewer places, apart from very fast parts of their toolkits, which are usually referred to as TensorFlow.
Frankly, those spaces are ruled by Python or R, which provide for simply writing code with great libraries. 

C# has ML.NET, but it has not gained traction with the data community.
More often than not, C is too simplistic to do any of the dirty work for the vast majority of things data-related. Choose C++ for performance. Under normal circumstances, Python will take you far enough, and if you need C++ after, then you will have it.

What project are you thinking about?

This changes everything:

• Game programming: C++ reigns supreme for graphics engines like Unreal.
• System programming: C for operating systems and tiny devices.
• Enterprise application development: C# is perfect for Windows apps and business apps with .NET.

Picture programming a game like Call of Duty—C++ does. Some business application? C# will do that in a breeze. Choose the one you really want to work with!

How to find a C, C++, or C# course? You can learn with our prestigious partners !

If you need a solid foundation with quality C or C++ courses, I recommend the 2 courses below from Edureka.
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Conclusion

So, which language should you learn? It all depends on your goals.
Do you want to go into web development or Windows software? C# would be a good choice.
Would you rather build games or work on performance-intensive projects? C++ it is. Are systems and hardware your thing?
Start with C. Whatever path you choose, you can find great online courses at E-newcademy.com to get you going. Check our list for recommendations today and take that first step toward becoming a master coder!