C# 0 The Complete Reference

The Common Language Specification

Although all managed code gains the benefits provided by the CLR, if your code will be 

used by other programs written in different languages, then for maximum usability, it should 

adhere to the Common Language Specification (CLS). The CLS describes a set of features 

that different .NET-compatible languages have in common. CLS compliance is especially 

important when creating software components that will be used by other languages. The 

CLS includes a subset of the 

Common Type System 

(CTS). The CTS defines the rules 

concerning data types. Of course, C# supports both the CLS and the CTS.

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2

An Overview of C#

B

y far, the hardest thing about learning a programming language is the fact that no 

element exists in isolation. Instead, the components of the language work together. 

This interrelatedness makes it difficult to discuss one aspect of C# without involving 

another. To help overcome this problem, this chapter provides a brief overview of several 

C# features, including the general form of a C# program, some basic control statements, and 

operators. It does not go into too many details, but rather concentrates on the general concepts 

common to any C# program. Most of the topics discussed here are examined in greater 

detail in the remaining chapters of Part I.