VB.NET and C# Comparison

VB.NET and C# Comparison
This is a quick reference guide to highlight some key syntactical differences between VB.NET (version 2) and C#. Hope you find this useful!
Thank you to Tom Shelton, Fergus Cooney, Steven Swafford, Gjuro Kladaric, and others for your contributions.
Also see Java and C# Comparison.

Program Structure Comments Data Types Constants Enumerations

Operators Choices Loops Arrays Functions

Strings Exception Handling Namespaces Classes / Interfaces Constructors / Destructors

Using Objects Structs Properties Delegates / Events Console I/O File I/O

VB.NET

Program Structure

C#

Imports System

Namespace Hello
Class HelloWorld
Overloads Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
Dim name As String = "VB.NET"

'See if an argument was passedfrom the command line
If args.Length = 1 Then name = args(0)

Console.WriteLine("Hello, " & name & "!")
End Sub
End Class
End Namespace

using System;

namespace Hello {
public class HelloWorld {
public static void Main(string[] args) {
string name = "C#";

// See if an argument was passed from the command line
if (args.Length == 1)
name = args[0];

Console.WriteLine("Hello, " + name + "!");
}
}
}

VB.NET

Comments

C#

' Single line only
REMSingle line only
''' <summary>XML comments</summary>

// Single line
/* Multiple
line */
/// <summary>XML comments on single line</summary>
/** <summary>XML comments on multiple lines</summary> */

VB.NET

Data Types

C#

Value Types
Boolean
Byte, SByte
Char
Short, UShort, Integer, UInteger, Long, ULong
Single, Double
Decimal
Date

Reference Types
Object
String

Initializing
Dim correct As Boolean = True
Dim b As Byte = &H2A 'hex
Dim o As Byte = &O52 'octal
Dim person As Object = Nothing
Dim name As String = "Dwight"
Dim grade As Char = "B"c
Dim today As Date = #12/31/2007 12:15:00 PM#
Dim amount As Decimal = 35.99@
Dim gpa As Single = 2.9!
Dim pi As Double = 3.14159265
Dim lTotal As Long = 123456L
Dim sTotal As Short = 123S
Dim usTotal As UShort = 123US
Dim uiTotal As UInteger = 123UI
Dim ulTotal As ULong = 123UL

Type Information
Dim x As Integer
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType()) 'Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(GetType(Integer)) ' Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(TypeName(x)) ' Prints Integer

Type Conversion
Dim d As Single = 3.5
Dim i As Integer = CType(d, Integer) ' set to 4 (Banker's rounding)
i = CInt(d) ' same result as CType
i = Int(d) ' set to 3 (Int function truncates the decimal)

Value Types
bool
byte, sbyte
char
short, ushort, int, uint, long, ulong
float,double
decimal
DateTime (not a built-in C#type)

Reference Types
object
string

Initializing
bool correct = true;
byte b = 0x2A; // hex

object person = null;
string name = "Dwight";
char grade = 'B';
DateTime today = DateTime.Parse("12/31/2007 12:15:00");
decimal amount = 35.99m;
float gpa = 2.9f;
double pi = 3.14159265;
long lTotal = 123456L;
short sTotal = 123;
ushort usTotal = 123;
uint uiTotal = 123;
ulong ulTotal = 123;

Type Information
int x;
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType()); // Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(typeof(int)); // Prints System.Int32
Console.WriteLine(x.GetType().Name); // prints Int32

Type Conversion
float d = 3.5f;
int i = (int)d; // set to3 (truncates decimal)

VB.NET

Constants

C#

ConstMAX_STUDENTS As Integer = 25

' Can set to a const orvar; may be initialized in a constructor
ReadOnly MIN_DIAMETER As Single = 4.93

const int MAX_STUDENTS = 25;

// Can set to a const or var; may be initialized in a constructor
readonly float MIN_DIAMETER = 4.93f;

VB.NET

Enumerations

C#

Enum Action
Start
[Stop]' Stopis a reserved word
Rewind
Forward
End Enum

EnumStatus
Flunk = 50
Pass = 70
Excel = 90
End Enum

Dim a As Action = Action.Stop
If a <> Action.Start Then _
Console.WriteLine(a.ToString & " is " & a) ' Prints "Stop is 1"

Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass) ' Prints 70
Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass.ToString()) ' Prints Pass

enum Action {Start, Stop, Rewind, Forward};
enum Status {Flunk = 50, Pass = 70, Excel = 90};

Action a = Action.Stop;
if (a != Action.Start)
Console.WriteLine(a + " is " + (int) a);// Prints "Stop is 1"

Console.WriteLine((int) Status.Pass); // Prints 70
Console.WriteLine(Status.Pass); // Prints Pass

VB.NET

Operators

C#

Comparison
= < > <= >= <>

Arithmetic
+ - * /
Mod
\ (integer division)
^ (raise to a power)

Assignment
= += -= *= /= \= ^= <<= >>= &=

Bitwise
And Or Xor Not << >>

Logical
AndAlso OrElse And Or Xor Not

Note: AndAlso and OrElse perform short-circuit logical evaluations

String Concatenation
&

Comparison
== < > <= >= !=

Arithmetic
+ - * /
% (mod)
/ (integer division if both operands are ints)
Math.Pow(x, y)

Assignment
= += -= *= /= %= &= |= ^= <<= >>= ++ --

Bitwise
& | ^ ~ << >>

Logical
&& || & | ^ !

Note: && and||perform short-circuit logical evaluations

String Concatenation
+

VB.NET

Choices

C#

greeting = IIf(age < 20, "What's up?", "Hello")

' One line doesn't require "End If"
If age < 20 Then greeting = "What's up?"
If age < 20 Then greeting = "What's up?" Else greeting = "Hello"

' Use : to put two commands on same line
If x <> 100 And y < 5 Then x *= 5 : y *= 2

' Preferred
If x <> 100 And y < 5 Then
x *= 5
y *= 2
End If

' To break up any long single line use _
If whenYouHaveAReally < longLine And _
itNeedsToBeBrokenInto2> LinesThen _
UseTheUnderscore(charToBreakItUp)

'If x > 5 Then
x *= y
ElseIfx = 5 Then
x += y
ElseIf x < 10 Then
x -= y
Else
x /= y
End If

Select Case color ' Must be a primitive data type
Case "pink", "red"
r += 1
Case "blue"
b += 1
Case "green"
g += 1
Case Else
other += 1
End Select

greeting = age < 20 ? "What's up?" : "Hello";

if (age < 20)
greeting = "What's up?";
else
greeting = "Hello";

// Multiple statements must be enclosed in {}
if (x != 100 && y < 5) {
x *= 5;
y *= 2;
}

No need for _ or : since ; is used to terminate each statement.

if (x > 5)
x *= y;
else if (x == 5)
x += y;
else if (x < 10)
x -= y;
else
x /= y;

// Every case must end with break or goto case
switch (color){ // Must be integer or string
case "pink":
case "red": r++; break;
case "blue": b++; break;
case "green": g++; break;
default: other++; break; // break necessary on default
}

VB.NET

Loops

C#

Pre-test Loops:
While c < 10 c += 1 End While	Do Until c = 10 c+= 1 Loop
Do While c < 10 c += 1 Loop	For c = 2 To 10 Step 2 Console.WriteLine(c) Next
Post-test Loops:
Do c += 1 Loop While c < 10	Do c += 1 Loop Until c = 10

' Array or collection looping
Dim names As String() = {"Fred", "Sue", "Barney"}
For Each s As StringIn names
Console.WriteLine(s)
Next

' Breaking out of loops
Dim i As Integer = 0
While (True)
If (i = 5) Then Exit While
i += 1
End While

' Continue to next iteration
For i = 0 To 4
If i < 4 Then Continue For
Console.WriteLine(i) ' Only prints 4
Next

Pre-test Loops:

// no "until" keyword
while (c < 10)
c++;

for (c = 2; c <= 10; c += 2)
Console.WriteLine(c);

Post-test Loop:

do
c++;
while (c < 10);



// Array or collection looping
string[] names = {"Fred", "Sue", "Barney"};
foreach (string s in names)
Console.WriteLine(s);

// Breaking out of loops
int i = 0;
while (true) {
if (i == 5)
break;
i++;
}

// Continue to next iteration
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i < 4)
continue;
Console.WriteLine(i); // Only prints 4
}

VB.NET

Arrays

C#

Dim nums() As Integer = {1, 2, 3}
For i As Integer = 0 To nums.Length - 1
Console.WriteLine(nums(i))
Next

' 4 is the index of the last element, so it holds 5 elements
Dim names(4) As String
names(0) = "David"
names(5) = "Bobby" ' Throws System.IndexOutOfRangeException

' Resize the array, keeping the existing values (Preserve is optional)
ReDim Preserve names(6)

Dim twoD(rows-1, cols-1) As Single
twoD(2, 0) = 4.5

Dim jagged()() As Integer = { _
New Integer(4) {}, New Integer(1) {}, New Integer(2) {} }
jagged(0)(4) = 5

int[] nums = {1, 2, 3};
for (int i = 0; i < nums.Length; i++)
Console.WriteLine(nums[i]);


// 5 is the size of the array
string[] names = new string[5];
names[0] = "David";
names[5] = "Bobby"; // Throws System.IndexOutOfRangeException


// C# can't dynamically resize an array. Just copy into new array.
string[] names2 = new string[7];
Array.Copy(names, names2, names.Length); // or names.CopyTo(names2, 0);

float[,] twoD = new float[rows, cols];
twoD[2,0] = 4.5f;

int[][] jagged = new int[3][] {
new int[5], new int[2], new int[3] };
jagged[0][4] = 5;

VB.NET

Functions

C#

' Pass by value (in, default), reference (in/out), andreference (out)
Sub TestFunc(ByVal x As Integer, ByRef y As Integer, ByRef z As Integer)
x += 1
y += 1
z = 5
End Sub

Dim a = 1, b = 1, c As Integer ' cset to zero by default
TestFunc(a, b, c)
Console.WriteLine("{0} {1} {2}", a, b, c) ' 12 5

' Accept variable number of arguments
Function Sum(ByVal ParamArray nums As Integer()) As Integer
Sum = 0
For Each i As Integer In nums
Sum += i
Next
End Function ' Or use Return statement like C#

Dim total As Integer = Sum(4, 3, 2, 1) ' returns 10

' Optional parameters must belisted lastand must have a default value
Sub SayHello(ByVal name As String, Optional ByVal prefix As String = "")
Console.WriteLine("Greetings, " & prefix & " " & name)
End Sub

SayHello("Strangelove", "Dr.")
SayHello("Madonna")

// Pass by value (in, default), reference (in/out), andreference (out)
void TestFunc(int x, ref int y, out int z) {
x++;
y++;
z = 5;
}

int a = 1, b = 1, c; // c doesn't need initializing
TestFunc(a, ref b, out c);
Console.WriteLine("{0} {1} {2}", a, b, c); // 1 2 5

// Accept variable number of arguments
int Sum(params int[] nums) {
int sum = 0;
foreach (int i in nums)
sum += i;
return sum;
}

int total = Sum(4, 3, 2, 1); // returns 10

/* C# doesn'tsupport optional arguments/parameters. Just create two different versions of the same function. */
void SayHello(string name, string prefix) {
Console.WriteLine("Greetings, " + prefix + " " + name);
}

void SayHello(string name) {
SayHello(name, "");
}

VB.NET

Strings

C#

Special character constants
vbCrLf, vbCr, vbLf, vbNewLine
vbNullString
vbTab
vbBack
vbFormFeed
vbVerticalTab
""

' String concatenation (use & or +)
Dim school As String = "Harding" & vbTab
school = school & "University" ' school is "Harding (tab) University"

' Chars
Dim letter As Char = school.Chars(0) ' letter is H
letter = Convert.ToChar(65) ' letter is A
letter = Chr(65)' same thing
Dim word() As Char = school.ToCharArray() ' word holds Harding

' No string literal operator
Dim msg As String = "File is c:\temp\x.dat"

' String comparison
Dim mascot As String = "Bisons"
If (mascot = "Bisons") Then ' true
If (mascot.Equals("Bisons")) Then ' true
If (mascot.ToUpper().Equals("BISONS"))Then ' true
If (mascot.CompareTo("Bisons") = 0) Then ' true

Console.WriteLine(mascot.Substring(2, 3)) ' Prints "son"

' String matching
If ("John 3:16" Like "Jo[Hh]? #:*") Then 'true

Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions ' More powerful than Like
Dim r As New Regex("Jo[hH]. \d:*")
If (r.Match("John 3:16").Success) Then 'true

' My birthday: Oct 12, 1973
Dim dt As New DateTime(1973, 10, 12)
Dim s As String = "My birthday: " & dt.ToString("MMM dd, yyyy")

' Mutable string
Dim buffer As New System.Text.StringBuilder("two ")
buffer.Append("three ")
buffer.Insert(0, "one ")
buffer.Replace("two", "TWO")
Console.WriteLine(buffer) ' Prints "one TWO three"

Escape sequences
\r // carriage-return
\n // line-feed
\t // tab
\\ // backslash
\" // quote

// String concatenation
string school = "Harding\t";
school = school + "University"; // school is "Harding (tab) University"

// Chars
char letter = school[0]; // letter is H
letter = Convert.ToChar(65); // letter is A
letter = (char)65; // same thing
char[] word = school.ToCharArray(); // word holds Harding

// String literal
string msg = @"File is c:\temp\x.dat";
// same as
string msg = "File is c:\\temp\\x.dat";

// String comparison
stringmascot = "Bisons";
if (mascot == "Bisons") // true
if (mascot.Equals("Bisons")) // true
if (mascot.ToUpper().Equals("BISONS")) // true
if (mascot.CompareTo("Bisons") == 0) // true

Console.WriteLine(mascot.Substring(2, 3)); // Prints "son"

// String matching
// No Like equivalent - use regular expressions

using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
Regex r = new Regex(@"Jo[hH]. \d:*");
if (r.Match("John 3:16").Success) // true

// My birthday: Oct 12, 1973
DateTime dt = new DateTime(1973, 10, 12);
string s = "My birthday: " + dt.ToString("MMM dd, yyyy");

// Mutable string
System.Text.StringBuilder buffer = new System.Text.StringBuilder("two ");
buffer.Append("three ");
buffer.Insert(0, "one ");
buffer.Replace("two", "TWO");
Console.WriteLine(buffer); // Prints "one TWO three"

VB.NET

Exception Handling

C#

' Throw an exception
Dim ex As New Exception("Something is really wrong.")
Throw ex

' Catch an exception
Try
y = 0
x = 10 / y
Catch ex As ExceptionWhen y = 0 ' Argument and When is optional
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message)
Finally
Beep()
End Try

' Deprecated unstructured error handling
On Error GoTo MyErrorHandler
...
MyErrorHandler: Console.WriteLine(Err.Description)

// Throw an exception
Exception up = new Exception("Something is really wrong.");
throw up; // ha ha

// Catch an exception
try {
y = 0;
x = 10 / y;
}
catch (Exception ex) { // Argument is optional, no "When" keyword
Console.WriteLine(ex.Message);
}
finally {
// Requires reference to the Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
// assembly (pre .NET Framework v2.0)
Microsoft.VisualBasic.Interaction.Beep();
}

VB.NET

Namespaces

C#

Namespace Harding.Compsci.Graphics
...
End Namespace

' or

Namespace Harding
Namespace Compsci
Namespace Graphics
...
End Namespace
End Namespace
End Namespace

Imports Harding.Compsci.Graphics

namespace Harding.Compsci.Graphics {
...
}

// or

namespace Harding {
namespace Compsci {
namespace Graphics {
...
}
}
}

using Harding.Compsci.Graphics;

VB.NET

Classes / Interfaces

C#

Accessibility keywords
Public
Private
Friend
Protected
Protected Friend
Shared

' Inheritance
ClassFootballGame
InheritsCompetition
...
End Class

' Interface definition
Interface IAlarmClock
...
End Interface

// Extending an interface
Interface IAlarmClock
Inherits IClock
...
End Interface

// Interface implementation
Class WristWatch
Implements IAlarmClock, ITimer
...
End Class

Accessibility keywords
public
private
internal
protected
protected internal
static

// Inheritance
classFootballGame : Competition {
...
}

// Interface definition
interface IAlarmClock {
...
}

// Extending an interface
interface IAlarmClock : IClock {
...
}

// Interface implementation
class WristWatch : IAlarmClock, ITimer {
...
}

VB.NET

Constructors / Destructors

C#

Class SuperHero
Private_powerLevel As Integer

Public Sub New()
_powerLevel = 0
End Sub

Public Sub New(ByVal powerLevel As Integer)
Me._powerLevel = powerLevel
End Sub

Protected Overrides Sub Finalize()
' Desctructor code to free unmanaged resources
MyBase.Finalize()
End Sub
End Class

class SuperHero {
private int _powerLevel;

public SuperHero() {
_powerLevel = 0;
}

public SuperHero(int powerLevel) {
this._powerLevel= powerLevel;
}

~SuperHero() {
// Destructor code to free unmanaged resources.
// Implicitly creates a Finalize method
}
}

VB.NET

Using Objects

C#

Dim hero As SuperHero = New SuperHero
' or
Dim hero As New SuperHero

With hero
.Name = "SpamMan"
.PowerLevel = 3
End With

hero.Defend("Laura Jones")
hero.Rest() ' Calling Shared method
' or
SuperHero.Rest()

Dim hero2 As SuperHero = hero ' Both reference the same object
hero2.Name = "WormWoman"
Console.WriteLine(hero.Name) ' Prints WormWoman

hero = Nothing ' Free the object

If hero Is Nothing Then _
hero = New SuperHero

Dim obj As Object = New SuperHero
If TypeOf obj Is SuperHero Then _
Console.WriteLine("Is a SuperHero object.")

' Mark object for quick disposal
Using reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText("test.txt")
Dim line As String = reader.ReadLine()
While Not line Is Nothing
Console.WriteLine(line)
line = reader.ReadLine()
End While
End Using

SuperHero hero = new SuperHero();

// No "With" construct
hero.Name = "SpamMan";
hero.PowerLevel = 3;

hero.Defend("Laura Jones");
SuperHero.Rest(); // Calling static method

SuperHero hero2 = hero; // Both reference the same object
hero2.Name = "WormWoman";
Console.WriteLine(hero.Name); // Prints WormWoman

hero = null ; // Free the object

if (hero == null)
hero = new SuperHero();

Object obj = new SuperHero();
if (obj is SuperHero)
Console.WriteLine("Is a SuperHero object.");

// Mark object for quick disposal
using (StreamReader reader = File.OpenText("test.txt")) {
string line;
while ((line = reader.ReadLine()) != null)
Console.WriteLine(line);
}

VB.NET

Structs

C#

Structure StudentRecord
Public name As String
Public gpa As Single

Public Sub New(ByVal name As String, ByVal gpa As Single)
Me.name = name
Me.gpa = gpa
End Sub
End Structure

Dim stu As StudentRecord = New StudentRecord("Bob", 3.5)
Dim stu2 As StudentRecord = stu

stu2.name = "Sue"
Console.WriteLine(stu.name) ' Prints Bob
Console.WriteLine(stu2.name) ' Prints Sue

struct StudentRecord {
public string name;
public float gpa;

public StudentRecord(string name, float gpa) {
this.name = name;
this.gpa = gpa;
}
}

StudentRecord stu = new StudentRecord("Bob", 3.5f);
StudentRecord stu2 = stu;

stu2.name = "Sue";
Console.WriteLine(stu.name); // Prints Bob
Console.WriteLine(stu2.name); // Prints Sue

VB.NET

Properties

C#

Private _size As Integer

Public Property Size() As Integer
Get
Return _size
End Get
Set (ByVal Value As Integer)
If Value < 0 Then
_size = 0
Else
_size = Value
End If
End Set
End Property

foo.Size += 1

private int _size;

public int Size {
get {
return _size;
}
set {
if (value < 0)
_size = 0;
else
_size = value;
}
}

foo.Size++;

VB.NET

Delegates / Events

C#

Delegate Sub MsgArrivedEventHandler(ByVal message As String)

Event MsgArrivedEvent As MsgArrivedEventHandler

' or to define an event which declares a delegate implicitly
Event MsgArrivedEvent(ByVal message As String)

AddHandler MsgArrivedEvent, AddressOf My_MsgArrivedCallback
' Won't throw an exception if obj is Nothing
RaiseEvent MsgArrivedEvent("Test message")
RemoveHandler MsgArrivedEvent, AddressOf My_MsgArrivedCallback

Imports System.Windows.Forms

Dim WithEvents MyButton As Button ' WithEvents can't be used on local variable
MyButton = New Button

Private Sub MyButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyButton.Click
MessageBox.Show(Me, "Button was clicked", "Info", _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
End Sub

delegate void MsgArrivedEventHandler(string message);

event MsgArrivedEventHandler MsgArrivedEvent;

// Delegates must be used with events in C#


MsgArrivedEvent += new MsgArrivedEventHandler(My_MsgArrivedEventCallback);
MsgArrivedEvent("Test message"); // Throws exception if obj is null
MsgArrivedEvent -= new MsgArrivedEventHandler(My_MsgArrivedEventCallback);

using System.Windows.Forms;

Button MyButton = new Button();
MyButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(MyButton_Click);

private void MyButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e) {
MessageBox.Show(this, "Button was clicked", "Info",
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information);
}

VB.NET

Console I/O

C#

Console.Write("What's your name? ")
Dim name As String = Console.ReadLine()
Console.Write("How old are you? ")
Dim age As Integer = Val(Console.ReadLine())
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} years old.", name, age)
' or
Console.WriteLine(name & " is " & age & " years old.")

Dim c As Integer
c = Console.Read() 'Read single char
Console.WriteLine(c) ' Prints 65 if user enters "A"

Console.Write("What's your name? ");
string name = Console.ReadLine();
Console.Write("How old are you? ");
int age = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());
Console.WriteLine("{0} is {1} years old.", name, age);
// or
Console.WriteLine(name + " is " + age + " years old.");

int c = Console.Read(); // Read single char
Console.WriteLine(c); // Prints 65 if user enters "A"

VB.NET

File I/O

C#

Imports System.IO

' Write out to text file
Dim writer As StreamWriter = File.CreateText("c:\myfile.txt")
writer.WriteLine("Out to file.")
writer.Close()

' Read all lines from text file
Dim reader As StreamReader = File.OpenText("c:\myfile.txt")
Dim line As String = reader.ReadLine()
While Not line Is Nothing
Console.WriteLine(line)
line = reader.ReadLine()
End While
reader.Close()

' Write out to binary file
Dim str As String = "Text data"
Dim num As Integer = 123
Dim binWriter As New BinaryWriter(File.OpenWrite("c:\myfile.dat"))
binWriter.Write(str)
binWriter.Write(num)
binWriter.Close()

' Read from binary file
Dim binReader As New BinaryReader(File.OpenRead("c:\myfile.dat"))
str = binReader.ReadString()
num = binReader.ReadInt32()
binReader.Close()

using System.IO;

// Write out to text file
StreamWriter writer = File.CreateText("c:\\myfile.txt");
writer.WriteLine("Out to file.");
writer.Close();

// Read all lines from text file
StreamReader reader = File.OpenText("c:\\myfile.txt");
string line = reader.ReadLine();
while (line != null) {
Console.WriteLine(line);
line = reader.ReadLine();
}
reader.Close();

// Write out to binary file
string str = "Text data";
int num = 123;
BinaryWriter binWriter = new BinaryWriter(File.OpenWrite("c:\\myfile.dat"));
binWriter.Write(str);
binWriter.Write(num);
binWriter.Close();

// Read from binary file
BinaryReader binReader = new BinaryReader(File.OpenRead("c:\\myfile.dat"));
str = binReader.ReadString();
num = binReader.ReadInt32();
binReader.Close();

Page last modified: document.writeln(document.lastModified) 08/28/2007 05:56:15

Copyright © 2003-2007 by Frank McCown
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