Java or C#? What are pros/cons of one over the other?

Question

Duplicate:

• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/325046/java-or-net
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/295224/list-major-differences-between-c-and-java
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/61559/is-c-with-net-mono-or-java-the-better-choice-for-cross-platform-development
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/355060/c-vs-java-generics
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/213757/why-do-people-use-java
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/295224/list-major-differences-between-c-and-java
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/294453/from-java-to-net
• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/181427/c-event-handling-compared-to-java

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I know this is a little subjective, but I'd like to know the technical differences as well as people's opinions of one over the other.

Also are there any decent books that have a side-by-side comparison or any for migrating from one to the other?

Answer 1

Not an expert but you can find a lot of information to get you started here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_C_Sharp_and_Java

Answer 2

I think this is the wrong question! The right Question would be: Java Runtime Environment vs .NET Framework

C# is only one programming language for the .NET framework, there are several others.

Answer 3

SO Search is your friend:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/325046/java-or-net

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/295224/list-major-differences-between-c-and-java

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/61559/is-c-with-net-mono-or-java-the-better-choice-for-cross-platform-development

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/355060/c-vs-java-generics

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/213757/why-do-people-use-java

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/295224/list-major-differences-between-c-and-java

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/294453/from-java-to-net

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/181427/c-event-handling-compared-to-java

Answer 4

The other thing to consider is the "ecosystem" of a language. What libraries are available, what tools are available, which one has a company that will keep investing in it.

I do .net, and I'm trying not to be biased, but I look at Sun and see a company in decline.

Answer 5

The advantage of using C# (i.e. the .net framework) is it is really a great way to use the whole Microsoft dev stack - webforms, winforms, sql server, silverlight and now the cloud platform.

For a programmer this entire breadth of dev stack is a great tool that few others offer. I am not saying this is the only or best way but just consider that with Java you actually need to learn a couple of new environments (IDE, database, scripting, flash...), whereas with the Microsoft stack there is a common look and feel that helps towards a faster learning.

If the above appeals to you go for .net. From market capture point of view I do not think Java or .net really make that difference. There are 'gods' in both worlds.

Answer 6

Without a context, this is a rather vague question. If you want to address multiple platforms, Java is better suited. If you want to write hobby games for the Xbox 360 C# is a better choice. The languages are very similar, and the impact of their differences very much depends on your actual situation.