What is C# scripting?

C# scripting is a powerful tool for testing your C# and .NET snippets without much effort in creating console projects or multiple unit testing. It offers a lightweight option for quick checking the .NET API for unzipping files, faster coding of a LINQ aggregate method call on the command line, or invoking a REST API to figure out how it works or what it returns. With C#, you get an easy means of exploring and understanding APIs without another CSPROJ file overhead in your %TEMP% directory.

The C# REPL (CSI.EXE) Command-Line Interface 

Learning and executing commands in the C# REPL, it the best way to understand C# scripting. Once you are in the program, you can launch it and run the command csi.exe in two ways. You can run using the full path C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\14.0\bin\csi.exe or use the Visual Studio 2015 developer command prompt. This allows you to quickly execute different C# statements because it’s much like C# – a new dialect of C#.

To declare variables, prefix them with the type; to call a static method, either write out a fully qualified method name and then pass the arguments within parenthesis. 

While most features of C# scripting are similar to standard# in terms of the declaration, there are some differences. Precisely, C# scripting is different in terms of:

• The #r directive references an external assembly. That means that the reference is to Newtonsoft.Json.dll, and this helps parse the JSON data. However, it’s noteworthy that this is only a directive to reference files within the file system. Therefore, the unnecessary ceremony of a backslash escape sequence is not necessary. 
• You can save the entire listing as a CSX file and then “import” or “inline” the file into the C# REPL window using #load Spell.csx. The #load directive lets you include additional script files. When you place a code into a separate C# script file, it enables a type of file refactoring and the ability to persist the C# script over time.

Note that C# scripting uses declarations similar to C#, and in both cases, the declaration is scoped to the file. When you call #load Spell.csx from the REPL window, it would not persist using Newtonsoft.Json declarative outside the Spell.csx.

C# scripting has other constructs, property and function declaration, they use attributes, statements, and support for async/await. 

Not that it lacks the “exit” or “quit” command to leave the CSI program. Instead, you use Ctrl+C to end the program.

What type of language is C#?

C# came along with the entire .NET Framework. While C# was released officially in 2000, .NET Framework was released in 2002. 

C# is a robust programming language that lets developers build different types of secure and robust applications running in the .NET ecosystem. The roots of C# are in the C family of languages, making it familiar to C, Java, C++, and JavaScript programmers – Syntactically very similar. 

What language is C #? It’s a compiled, component-oriented, and object-oriented language, which compiles to .NET Intermediate Language. C# has language constructs that directly support these concepts, making it a natural language powerful for creating and using software components. 

When created, C# was tailored for Microsoft-focused development, i.e., Windows Forms and web development with ASP.NET. But it has since developed into a robust platform, thanks to the addition of features that support emerging software design demands. 

Similarly, the .NET ecosystem is still evolving, and recently, the addition of the .NET Standard and .NET Core has given C# cross-platform capabilities; thus, it can run on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

• C# has power feature to create wonderful applications:
• Garbage collection reclaims memory occupied by unreachable and unused objects automatically.
• Nullable types protect against variables that do not refer to allocated objects. 
• Exception handling offers a structured and extensible approach to error detection and recovery. 
• Lambda expressions support all techniques for functional programming.
• Language-Integrated Query (LINQ) syntax builds a pattern for working with data from any source. 
• Language support for asynchronous operations has syntax for building distributed systems. 
• C# has a unified type system – all types, e.g., primitive types like int, inherit from a single root object type. Besides, all types share a set of common operations, and their values type can be transported, stored, and operated consistently. 
• C# allows dynamic allocation of objects and inline storage of lightweight structures. 
• Supports generic methods and types, providing increased type safety and performance. 
• C# provides iterators, enabling implementers of collection classes to define custom behaviors for client code.

.NET architecture

.NET is a virtual execution system known as the CLR (common language runtime) and a set of class libraries on which C# programs run. The CLR is Microsoft’s implementation of the common language infrastructure (CLI), an international standard that creates execution and development environments. It is in the CLI that languages and libraries work together seamlessly.

Source code in C# is compiled into an intermediate language (IL) conforming to the CLI specification. 

Is C# a coding language?

By now, you know that C# is a coding language created by Microsoft, and it uses it in most of its applications. Primarily, C# is used for developing .NET applications, meaning that any moment you use the C# application, you’ll be implementing a .NET framework. 

C# is friendly to developers of wide-ranging skills. However, to effectively use C#, you must learn the basics of writing a code, even without building an application or a program. Compared to other programming languages, C# has a somewhat lower learning curve, though not as easy to understand as Python for those who use a programming language for the first time.  

If you have moderate to advanced coding knowledge, then C# might be friendly for you. Keep in mind that C # is a high-level programming language that means that it is very easy to read and write. Such an attribute makes it friendly to beginners but convenient for professional coders. The exciting part is that you can use C# to automate tasks that need long-term achievement with minor results. 

C# Coding Conventions

Understanding the code can make your coding enjoyable. C# has coding conventions that play several roles, aiming at making it easier for developers. The roles include:

• Giving a consistent look to the code, the readers focus on content instead of the layout.
• Allows the reader to understand the code faster – readers can make assumptions based on past experiences. 
• Coding conventions make it easier to copy, change or maintain the code
• C# best practices

The conventions are:

• Naming conventions: use namespace qualifications in short examples that don’t include directives. If qualified names are too long for one line, break them using a dot. Don’t change the names of the objects created by utilizing Visual Studio designer tools to make them fit other guidelines.
• Layout conventions: it uses formatting to emphasize the structure of the code as well as make the code easier to read. 
• Commenting conventions: place the comments in separate lines, begin each comment with a capital letter and end the text with a period. Between comment delimiters and comment text, insert one space, and avoid creating formatted blocks of asterisks around comments. 

Writing an effective code in C# will require you to follow some practices, including:

Using string interpolation to concatenate short strings.

Using implicit typing for local variables when the precise type is not essential or when the variable type is evident from the right side of the assignment. Besides, avoid using var when the style isn’t clear. 

What is a scripting language?

A scripting language is a type of interpreted programming language used to write scripts. Ideally, it is necessary for a runtime system, which automates the execution of tasks that would else be done individually by a human operator.

At runtime, scripting languages are interpreted rather than compiled. That means they are translated into machine code while running the code instead of beforehand. Scripting languages have a series of scripts/commands, and they are interpreted one at a time instead of interpreting an entire computer program. 

A scripting language uses an interpreter, i.e., a program that translates commands directly from the source code, thus eliminating compilation. This is the opposite of those programming languages that require a compiler to translate commands into machine codes before execution. Currently, developers use scripting languages to develop dynamic web apps. 

There are two types of scripting languages: 

Server Side Scripting Languages: These programming languages create scripts running on the server; thus, reducing the work of browsers. Besides, the public cannot view them as is with the client-based ones. When clients send requests, the server will respond by sending the content through HTTP. 

Typically, the functionality of a website is written in scripting languages like Perl, Ruby, PHP, and Python. Keep in mind that server-side scripting focuses more on faster processing, access to data, and resolving errors.

Client-Side Scripting Languages. These programming languages create scripts to run on the client-side, i.e., the browser. Client-side scripting languages benefit from reducing the server’s demand, thus increasing the web pages’ loading speed. Client-side scripting focuses more on user interface and functionality. 

Scripting Languages characteristics 

• Scripting languages are elementary to learn and write in – you can do this in two forms: interactively in a read–eval–print loop or as a short source code file. Simply put, they have simple semantics and syntax, i.e., a script, which is executed from start to end with no clear entry point.
• Scripting languages are typically interpreted from source code or bytecode, but the interpreter (software environment) is written in a compiled language and distributed as a machine code. 
• Scripting language design may target end-users of a program, end-user development, or developers’ internal use. Therefore, you can write portions of your programs in a scripting language. 
• Scripting languages use abstraction, i.e., a form of information hiding. This spares users the details of internal variable types, data storage, and memory management.
• The person executing scripts can create or modify them; however, they are also distributed. 

Scripting language vs. programming language

Scripting and programming languages are terms often used interchangeably by many people. The truth is, these terms mean something different. All scripting languages are programming languages; however, not all programming languages are scripting languages.

The fundamental difference between the two languages lies in their execution. While programming languages use a compiler to convert high-level languages into machine codes, scripting languages use an interpreter. An interpreter interprets a code in steps, i.e., line by line, while compiling the entire code. 

From the definition, scripting languages skip the compilation step. However, advancing technology has led to the development of advanced hardware alongside compilation techniques, makes it difficult to differentiate between scripting and programming languages. For instance, some languages such as Python, JavaScript, PHP, VBScript have the characteristic of both scripting and programming languages because many developers use them without needing the compilation step. However, the central implementation part requires compilation – after which you can run in the bytecode. 

Note that the environment to execute programming is crucial in classifying it as either scrip[ting or programming. Look, you can create a C language interpreter and use it as a scripting language. At the same time, you can develop a compiler for JavaScript and use it as a compiled language -for instance, the V8, i.e., JavaScript engine of Google Chrome – compiles the JavaScript code into machine code instead of interpreting it.

Scripting Languages Applications: 

• Task automation within a program 
• Information extraction from datasets 
• Less code-intensive 

Programming Languages Applications:

• They run within a parent program 
• Fit for mathematical models 
• Some, e.g., Java, can be compiled and run on any platform 

Design: programming languages are fit for facilitating software development and full-fledged code, while scripting languages are means to make coding simpler and much faster. 

Development: programming languages have many code lines for a single function, making them somewhat difficult to use. By contrast, scripting languages are much easier as they only need few specific and short lines. 

Conversion and hosting: programming languages are a one-short conversion as they only use a compiler and do not need a host as they are self-executable. Contrarily, require line-wise conversion and need a host. 

Speed: compiled programs are faster – compilers read and analyze codes and report errors simultaneously. An interpreter reads codes line-wise; when it finds a mistake, it has to address it first. 

• Scripting Language – JavaScript, VB Script, PHP, Ruby, Perl, etc. 
• Programming Language – C, C++, COBOL, Java, VB, Basic, Pascal, C#, etc.

C# tutorial

C# (C Sharp) is a general-purpose, object-oriented, modern, multi-paradigm programming language developed by Microsoft and runs on the .NET Framework. C# is extensively used for building mobile applications, games, and windows applications.

C sharp developers: Anders Hejlsberg and his team 

C# is created for Common Language Infrastructure (CLI); it consists of the executable code and runtime environment, which allows the use of various high-level languages on different computer platforms and architectures.

C# is popular because:

• It is easy to learn.
• It is a structured language.
• It is a general-purpose modern 
• It is object and component-oriented.
• It produces efficient programs.
• It is a part of the .Net Framework.

The .Net Framework

The .Net Framework is a platform that helps developers write Windows applications, Web services, and Web applications. It’s multi-platform applications, and is designed to be used from C#, C++, Jscript, Visual Basic, COBOL, etc. 

Additionally, it has an enormous library of codes used by the client languages.

Creating Hello World Program

Parts of a C# program are:

• Namespace declaration
• Class methods  
• A class
• Class attributes
• Statements and Expressions
• The Main method
• Comments

Lines in the programs:

1. using System
2. namespace declaration -class collection 
3. class declaration – data + method definition 
4. Main method – entry point for all programs. It specifies its behaviour with Console.WriteLine(“Hello World”);
5. /*…*/ – compiler ignores it
6. Console.ReadKey(); – prevents screening quickly running and closing, i.e., waits for a keypress. It’s for VS.NET Users. 

Note: 

• C sharp is case sensitive 
• A semicolon (;) marks the end of all statement 
• The main method is the beginning of all programs 

Compiling and Executing the Program

1. Visual Studio.Net

Launch Visual Studio.

Choose File -> New -> Project on the menu 

Select Visual C# from templates, and then Windows.

Select Console Application.

Name your project and click the OK button to create a new project in Solution Explorer.

Write code in the Code Editor, and then press F5 or click Run to execute your project. 

A Command Prompt window with the line Hello World appears.

1. Command-line 

Use a text editor and add the hello world text and save it as HelloWorld.cs

Open the command prompt tool and head to the directory to retrieve the saved file 

Type csc HelloWorld.cs and press enter – this compiles your code.

The command prompt transitions you to the following line if there isn’t an error. It will generate a helloworld.exe executable file.

Type HelloWorld to execute your program.

Conclusion 

Scripting languages are used in many different ways, but most often for quick and dirty pieces of work that don’t require a lot of computing power behind them. They work best when you need human input like talking or keyboard inputs because it allows programmers to do things quickly without any extra coding needed on their end. You would use scripts if you had many repetitive tasks or things that were similar but needed slight variations on how they came out each time.

C# is a universal language that you can use to develop scripts. But will require a little more understanding. C# Programming scripts are written in the Microsoft .NET Framework. These programming languages create applications that run on a Windows operating system, such as websites and desktop programs.

To develop scripts, you need C# scripting. C# scripting is a markup language that enables you to program scripts in C#. this programming language allows you to add additional functionality and interactivity to your game.

The fantastic thing about C sharp is its NET Framework. The .NET Framework is both a programming framework and an execution environment. It lets programmers develop applications that can be executed on computers with different operating systems, like Windows or Unix-based machines.

The most important thing about Microsoft’s flagship software product – The .NET Framework for Developers – is that it offers solutions across platforms: You get all of its benefits regardless if you are developing your app for Android, iOS, or any other device in between.

Nowadays, the .NET Framework is a software framework. It’s free and open-source, which means developers can use it for their projects without paying any licensing fees or royalties.

The benefits of using this Framework are plenty: there’s access to libraries with many different types of functionality (e.g., web development). The runtime environment allows applications created in languages such as C# and Visual Basic would run efficiently whether they’re on Windows 10 operating system or Mac OS X El Capitan.

Moreover, source code written in one language could be compiled into an executable application by another compiler from within the same programming ecosystem (.NET Standard)