Comparison of

C# and VB.Net
By

Sam Nasr
October 26, 2004

What is C#?

C# (C-Sharp) is a new language developed by

Microsoft Corporation.

Designed by Anders Hejlsberg (creator of Turbo

Pascal and architect of Delphi), Scott Wiltamuth,
and Peter Golde.

Described as a ...simple, modern, object-oriented,

and type-safe programming language derived from
C and C++.

Bears many syntactic similarities to C++ and Java.

What is VB.Net?

VB.Net is the latest release of Microsofts

Visual Basic language.

VB is an event driven programming language.

Derived heavily from BASIC.

VB enables Rapid Application Development

(RAD) of graphical user interface (GUI)
applications.

Myths

VB.Net is intended for use with

Microsoft Office.
C# is the latest release of C++.
C# is easier to learn than VB.Net.
To better understand C#, one should
first learn C++.
A .Net solution can contain only 1
language.

Language Differences
The differences of the 2 languages lie
in:
1.
2.
3.

Syntax
Object Oriented Features
Visual Studio.Net IDE

Syntax Differences

Case Sensitivity
Line Termination
Comments
Namespace Declaration and
Usage
Variable Declaration
Variable Initialization
Declaring Function Parameters
Passing Function Parameters
Optional Parameters
Parameter Lists
Method Declaration
Returning Output Parameters
Program Startup
Exiting
Programs/Methods/Loops

Member Scope
Static/Shared Methods
Classes versus Modules
If statements
Short Circuiting
Conditional Statements
Properties and Indexers
Arrays
For Loops
For/Each Loops
Try/Catch Blocks
Attribute Usage
Control Characters
Type Comparison and
Conversion

C# Example
(Syntax)
/* C Style comment */
// C++ Style comment
///Enhanced comment for Documentation Feature
Void SampleProc()
{
int intCounter1=0;
MessageBox.show(Counter1= +
intCounter1.ToString());
} //end of SampleProc

VB.Net Example
(Syntax)
Style of comments for VB.Net
Sub SampleProc()
Dim intCounter1 as Integer, intCounter2 as
Integer
MessageBox.show(Counter1= & intCounter1)
End Sub end of SampleProc

Object-Oriented Features

Inheritance Syntax
Method Overloading
Constructors
Invoking Other
Constructors
Invoking Base
Constructors
Initializers
Hiding Base Class
Members

Overriding methods
Requiring/Preventing
Inheritance
Declaring and
Implementing
Interfaces
Delegated and Events
Comparing Classes
String Comparisons

C# Example
(Object Oriented)
class App
{
static void Main(string [ ] args)
{
int intCounter=0;
foreach (string arg in args)
{
System.Console.WriteLine(Counter: + intCounter.ToString()
+ = + arg);
} //end of foreach
} //end of Main()
} //end of App{}

VB.Net Example
(Object Oriented)
Class App
Shared Sub Main(ByVal args as String( ) )
Dim arg as String
Dim intCounter as Integer
For Each arg in args
System.Console.Writeline(Counter: & intCounter &
= & arg)

Next For Each loop

End Sub end of Main()
End Class end of App{}

IDE Differences

AssemblyInfo.x
Default/Root
Namespace
Startup object
App.ico
Imports/Using

COM References
Compiler Constants
Options:
(Explicit, Strict,
Compare)
Errors and Warnings

Specific Language
Features

Unsafe Blocks (C#)

Using (C#)
Documentation Comments (C#)
Operator Overloading (C#)
Late Binding (VB)

Unsafe Blocks (C#)

class Class1
{
static unsafe void main (string[ ] args)
{
string sName = Joe Mojica;
fixed (char *Temp = sName)
{
char *ch= Temp;
ch +=4;
*ch = (char)o;
ch += 1;
*ch = (char) o;
}
System.Console.WriteLine(sName);
}
}

Using (C#)
void OpenDatabase()
{
string cstr;
cstr = "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0";
cstr += "Data Source=c:\\MyDB.mdb;";
using (OleDBConnection conn = new OleDBConnection(Cstr))
{
conn.open();
}
}

Documentation
Comments (C#)
///<summary>
///A Sample Function to demonstrate C#
///</summary>
///<param name=void>This function does not receive a
parameter. </param>
///<returns>Void Type</returns>
Void SampleProc()
{
int intCounter1, intCounter2;
MessageBox.show(Counter1= & intCounter1);
} //end of SampleProc

Controversial Issues
Point
C# offers less typing.
C# is a better programming language
because it forces variables to be defined.
C# code runs faster.
Counter-Point
VB.Net offers automatic case setting
VB.Net offers Option Explicit
Speed is debatable!

Which Language do I
choose for my organization?

Which language features do I need?

Which language features can I live without?
What is the background of the staff?
Which language does my staff work more
comfortably with?
Can staff members be comfortable with
both?
What is the availability of Human Resources
for a specific language?

Language Converters
C# to VB.NET

http://www.aspalliance.com/aldotnet/examples/trans
late.aspx
http://www.kamalpatel.net/ConvertCSharp2VB.aspx

VB.Net to C#

http://www.e-iceblue.com
http://www.vbconversions.com

Additional Information

C# & VB.NET Conversion Pocket

Reference by Jose Mojica

C# in a Nutshell ByPeterDrayton,
BenAlbahari, TedNeward

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_B
asic_programming_language

Upcoming Events

MSDN Event (http://msevents.microsoft.com)

Thursday (10/28/2004), 1:00 5:00 PM at Regal
Town Cinemas. Free

New SQL Server SIG

Every 3rd Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM
ALG - 30640 Bainbridge Road in Solon

Next meeting: COM and .Net Components

Thursday, Nov 23, 2004 6:30-8:30 PM

Career Info

Intuit Corp is seeking 2 Sr. .Net Developers. Contact Heather

Winchester (heather_winchester@intuit.com) at 214-387-2125. See
www.intuit.com/about_intuit/careers for more info.

Adaptive Solutions Group is seeking several C# web developers for

contract to hire. Contact Matt Twyman (mtwyman@adaptivesg.com)
at 314-236-3853. See www.adaptivesg.com for more info.

Robert Half Technology is accepting resumes for various development

positions. Contact Kim Nasierowski (kimberly.nasierowski@rht.com)
at 216-621-6633. See www.rht.com for more info.

Tek Systems is accepting resumes for various development positions.

Contact Janelle Capretta (jcapretta@teksystems.com) at 216-6541840. See http://www.teksystems.com for more info.

Invesmart is seeking 2 VB.Net developer positions. See

www.invesmart.com