Welcome to the first module of our C# Programming Course! In this section, we will introduce you to the C# programming language, its history, and its key features. By the end of this topic, you will have a solid understanding of what C# is and why it is a popular choice among developers.

C# (pronounced "C-sharp") is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It is part of the .NET framework and is designed to be simple, powerful, and versatile. C# is widely used for developing desktop applications, web applications, mobile apps, games, and more.

• 2000: C# was first introduced by Microsoft as part of its .NET initiative.
• 2002: The first version of C# (C# 1.0) was released with the .NET Framework 1.0.
• 2005: C# 2.0 introduced new features like generics, anonymous methods, and nullable types.
• 2007: C# 3.0 brought LINQ (Language Integrated Query) and lambda expressions.
• 2010: C# 4.0 added dynamic binding and named/optional arguments.
• 2012: C# 5.0 introduced asynchronous programming with async and await keywords.
• 2015: C# 6.0 included features like expression-bodied members and string interpolation.
• 2017: C# 7.0 and 7.1 added tuples, pattern matching, and local functions.
• 2018: C# 7.2 and 7.3 brought more performance improvements and new syntax features.
• 2019: C# 8.0 introduced nullable reference types, async streams, and more.
• 2020: C# 9.0 added records, init-only properties, and top-level statements.
• 2021: C# 10.0 continued to enhance the language with new features and improvements.

C# is known for its rich set of features that make it a powerful and flexible language. Here are some of the key features:

• Object-Oriented: C# supports object-oriented programming (OOP) principles such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
• Type-Safe: C# enforces strict type checking, which helps prevent type errors and enhances code reliability.
• Modern Syntax: C# has a clean and modern syntax that is easy to read and write.
• Interoperability: C# can interoperate with other languages and technologies, especially those within the .NET ecosystem.
• Automatic Memory Management: C# uses a garbage collector to manage memory, reducing the risk of memory leaks.
• Rich Standard Library: C# provides a comprehensive standard library that includes a wide range of classes and methods for various tasks.
• Asynchronous Programming: C# supports asynchronous programming with the async and await keywords, making it easier to write responsive applications.
• Cross-Platform: With .NET Core and .NET 5/6, C# can be used to develop cross-platform applications that run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Versatility: C# can be used to develop a wide range of applications, from desktop and web applications to mobile apps and games.
• Job Opportunities: C# is widely used in the industry, and there is a high demand for skilled C# developers.
• Community and Support: C# has a large and active community, with plenty of resources, tutorials, and libraries available.
• Integration with Microsoft Technologies: C# is the primary language for developing applications on the Microsoft platform, including Azure, Windows, and Office.

Let's start with a simple "Hello World" program to get a feel for C# syntax.

• using System;: This line imports the System namespace, which contains fundamental classes like Console.
• namespace HelloWorld: Namespaces are used to organize code. Here, we define a namespace called HelloWorld.
• class Program: Classes are the building blocks of C# programs. We define a class named Program.
• static void Main(string[] args): The Main method is the entry point of a C# application. It is where the program starts execution.
• Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");: This line prints "Hello, World!" to the console.

Write a C# program that prints your name to the console.

Replace "Your Name" with your actual name.

In this introduction, we covered the basics of what C# is, its history, key features, and why it is a valuable language to learn. We also wrote our first C# program, "Hello World," and a simple exercise to print your name. In the next topic, we will set up the development environment to start coding in C#.