Datasheet

Introducing C#

When this code is executed (either in its own right if it is an executable, or when it is used

from other code) it must first be compiled into native code using a JIT compiler:

Native Code

JIT Compilation

Assembly

JIT Compilation

4. The native code is executed in the context of the managed CLR, along with any other running

applications or processes:

Native code

.NET CLR

System Runtime

Native code

Linking

There is one additional point to note concerning the above process. The C# code that compiles into MSIL

in step 2 needn't be contained in a single file. It is possible to split application code across multiple source

code files, which are then compiled together into a single assembly. This process is known as linking, and

is extremely useful. The reason for this is that it is far easier to work with several smaller files that one

enormous one. You can separate out logically related code into an individual file, so that it can be worked

on independently, and then practically forgotten about when completed. This also makes it much easier to

locate specific pieces of code when you need them, and enables teams of developers to divide up the

programming burden into manageable chunks, where individuals can "check out" pieces of code to work

on without risking damage to otherwise satisfactory sections, or sections that other people are working on.

What is C#?

C#, as mentioned above, is one of the languages that can be used to create applications that will run in

the .NET CLR. It is an evolution of the C and C++ languages and has been created by Microsoft

specifically to work with the .NET platform. As it is a recent development, the C# language has been

designed with hindsight, taking into account many of the best features from other languages while

clearing up their problems.