What is the point of developing Visual C++ and C#? [closed]

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely s开发者_Python百科olicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. Closed 12 years ago.

I've been tinkering with Visual C++. But I have heard it isn't used much in industry. C# seems to be much more popular. This makes me wonder why MS bothered to keep both platforms in development? Is there something special that Visual C++ is used for that C# can't handle?

---

To learn the main differences between the two languages, you should take a look at THIS article.

---

you have heard wrong...

to my knowledge, most of the most popular commercial applications are native application developed in Visual C++ ( or C++ with other compilers ):

Word, Excel, Sql Server, Visual Studio, Corel Draw, Internet Explorer... are NOT developed in .NET

---

Facts:

• Microsoft does not "give C++ away"
• C++ and C# are different
• Visual C++ is widely used
• Visual C# is widely used.

Is Visual C# more used than Visual C++ today? Possibly. But that does not mean Visual C++ is going away.

---

Microsoft doesn't "give away" Visual C++. There is a free limited edition of the software, but the real professional tool is sold. And while MS would like you to think C# is much more popular, a whole lot of professional programming is done in C++, much more than in C#.

And for developing in advanced C++ on Windows, Visual C++ is an incredibly strong tool, including a great debugger. C++ is not going away, and neither is Visual C++.

---

C++ still has a huge following, it is a very powerful language and a lot of major applications still run on C++, to answer your question in short - Microsoft still supports C++ because it would lose business if it didnt. People who work primarily in C++ would have to look elswhere for a IDE supporting C++.

To name one, C++ provides more freedom to fine tune your applications at a lower level.

---

Here's a previous stackoverflow question comparing the two: Visual C++ versus Visual C# , which is the best to learn?

And here's and MSDN page comparing C++ to C#: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yyaad03b(v=VS.90).aspx

I use C# daily at my job, and I think it's here to stay for a long time. :o) (And if you're writing software for a Windows machine C# is a great option! :o) )