Java vs C# - Conceptual Comparison
This document compares core programming concepts between Java and C#. It's designed
for developers who already know Java and want to understand what is same, similar, or
different in C#.
1. Language Basics
Concept Java C# Comparison
Syntax if, for, while if, for, while Same ✅
Classes & Objects class, new, this Same Same ✅
Inheritance extends : (colon) Similar 🔷
Interfaces implements : (colon) Similar 🔷
Access Modifiers public, private, Same + internal Similar 🔷
protected
Method Overloading Supported Supported Same ✅
Method Overriding @Override override keyword Similar 🔷
main() method public static void static void Main Similar 🔷
main
2. OOP Features
Concept Java C# Comparison
Constructors Same concept Same concept Same ✅
Static Supported Supported Same ✅
methods/fields
Final keyword final const, readonly, Different ❗
sealed
Abstract Classes Supported Supported Same ✅
Enums Simple enums Enums with Different ❗
fields/methods
Exception Handling try-catch-finally, try-catch-finally (no Similar 🔷
throws throws)
3. Collections & Generics
Concept Java C# Comparison
Generics List<String> List<string> Same ✅
Wildcards <?> where T : class Different ❗
Iteration for-each, Iterator foreach, Similar 🔷
IEnumerator
Streams/LINQ Streams (Java 8+) LINQ Different ❗
4. Runtime & Memory Model
Concept Java C# Comparison
Virtual Machine JVM CLR Different ❗
Garbage Collection Automatic Automatic Same ✅
Packages vs package namespace Similar 🔷
Namespaces
Reflection Reflection API System.Reflection Similar 🔷
5. Tooling & Platform
Concept Java C# Comparison
Build Tools Maven, Gradle MSBuild, dotnet CLI Different ❗
IDEs Eclipse, IntelliJ Visual Studio, VS Different ❗
Code
Compilation .java → .class .cs → .exe/.dll Different ❗
6. Platform & Libraries
Concept Java C# Comparison
Platform Cross-platform .NET Core/.NET 5+ Similar 🔷
(JVM) cross-platform
GUI JavaFX, Swing WinForms, WPF, Different ❗
MAUI
Web Development Spring, Jakarta EE ASP.NET Core Different ❗
7. Summary Table
Category Same ✅ Similar 🔷 Different ❗
Syntax & Basics ✅✅✅ 🔷🔷 ❗
OOP Concepts ✅✅ 🔷🔷🔷 ❗❗
Collections ✅ 🔷🔷🔷 ❗❗
Runtime & Memory ✅ 🔷 ❗❗❗
Tools & Platform 🔷 ❗❗❗❗