Seeking advise - first C# project

[kalevet]

Hi,

I'm a C++ programmer, currently working with VC6. I would like to join
the rest of the world and progress to the .NET era. There's this
non-commercial project I'm thinking about, and I thought it would be a
good chance for me to experience a bit with C# and a newer compiler.
The problem is this: the project involves some database work and some
intense CPU work (I'll be using a minimax tree with many options). I'd
like to get your advise about these matters:

1. How difficult is it to work with SQL databases in C#? (I know SQL,
but not ADO - I also work with PowerBuilder)
2. Will the C# code run *a lot* slower than native C++?

I know these are very general questions, and I'm obviously looking for
not more than general answers. I'll be doing this on my spare time, and
I'd really hate finding out I wasted weeks on trying to use the
database, or that the application is too slow because it runs on a
virtual machine. Would you recommend this kind of project as a first?

Thanks!

 

[Nicholas Paldino [.NET/C# MVP]]

kalevet,

1) I think it is very easy, especially if you are using VS.NET. It walks
you through creating the appropriate command and connection objects that you
can use to access your data.

2) Generally speaking, no, it will not. However, that doesn't mean that
you shouldn't know the differences between how managed code and unmanaged
code runs. If screwed up badly enough, you can make C# run MUCH slower than
C++, and vice versa.

Hope this helps.