Basic Structure of a C# Program – Beginner’s Guide

In this article, we will explore the basic structure of a C# program using a console application.

What You’ll Learn in This Article:

• What is C#.NET?
• Advantages of using the .NET Framework from a C# perspective
• Different types of applications you can develop with C#.NET
• Understanding Visual Studio and its role in C# development
• What is a console application?
• How to create a console application using Visual Studio
• Breaking down the basic structure of a C# program, including:
  • Importing section
  • Namespace declaration
  • Class declaration
  • Main() method

First, we’ll introduce C#.NET and Visual Studio, along with the types of applications you can develop. Then, we’ll break down the fundamental structure of a C# program using a console application, ensuring you grasp the essential components. Let’s get started!

What is C#.NET?

C#.NET is a modern, object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft for building a wide range of applications, including web, desktop, console, and RESTful services. It runs on .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET (latest versions), making it a versatile and cross-platform language.

C# combines the best features of C++, VB.NET, and Java, while also introducing additional powerful features that enhance productivity and maintainability. As we progress through this course, we’ll explore these advanced capabilities in detail.

Being a fully object-oriented language, C# supports all four OOP principles:

• Abstraction – Hiding implementation details
• Encapsulation – Restricting direct access to data by bundling it with related method
• Inheritance – Reusing code across multiple classes
• Polymorphism – Enhancing code flexibility and scalability

With its strong type safety, garbage collection, and extensive .NET ecosystem, C# remains one of the most widely used and in-demand languages in software development today.

Advantages of Using the .NET Framework from a C# Developer’s Perspective

The .NET Framework provides a powerful and consistent programming model for building a wide range of applications. For C# developers, it offers rich libraries (like ADO.NET, Entity Framework, and ASP.NET), strong type safety, garbage collection, and excellent support for object-oriented programming. With built-in security features and simplified deployment, it helps developers write robust, scalable, and maintainable applications quickly. Visual Studio integration and a vast community also make development smoother and more productive.

Different types of applications you can develop with C#.NET

• Desktop Applications
  • Using WinForms or WPF to build Windows-based applications.
• Web Applications & APIs
  • Develop powerful websites and RESTful APIs with ASP.NET Core.
• Mobile Applications
  • Build cross-platform apps using Xamarin or .NET MAUI
• Cloud-Based Applications
  • Integrate with Microsoft Azure to build scalable cloud solutions.
• Integrate with Microsoft Azure to build scalable cloud solutions.
  • Create 2D/3D games using C# with Unity game engine.
• IoT Applications
  • Build applications for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
• Console Applications
  • Simple command-line tools and utilities.
• Microservices
  • Develop independent, scalable services using .NET Core.

Visual Studio is a powerful IDE for C# development, offering smart code editing, debugging, and project management tools. It simplifies building, testing, and deploying C# applications across desktop, web, cloud, and mobile platforms. With built-in IntelliSense, UI designers, and Git integration, it boosts productivity and streamlines the development workflow.

What is a console application?

A console application is a basic program that runs in a command-line interface (CLI), such as the Command Prompt or Terminal. It doesn’t have a graphical user interface (GUI), making it lightweight and perfect for tasks like automation, calculations, or testing business logic.

In C#, console applications are often used for learning, quick tools, and backend processes.

// Importing the System namespace which contains basic classes like Console
using System;

// Defining the Program class
class Program
{
    // The Main method is the entry point of any C# console application
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Writing a message to the console
        Console.WriteLine("Welcome to My Console App!");

        // Prompting user input
        Console.Write("Enter your name: ");

        // Reading input from user and storing in a local variable (data member of method)
        string name = Console.ReadLine();

        // Displaying a personalized message
        Console.WriteLine($"Hello, {name}!");
    }
}

How to Create a Console Application Using Visual Studio

Creating a console application in Visual Studio is simple and great for beginners learning C#. Follow these steps:

• Open Visual Studio
  • Launch Visual Studio from your system.

• Create a New Project
  • Click on “Create a new project” from the start window.
• Select Console App Template
  • Search for “Console App” (make sure to select Console App (.NET Core) or Console App (.NET Framework) based on your need).
  • Click Next.

• Configure Your Project
  • Enter the project name (e.g., MyFirstConsoleApp)
  • Choose a location to save the project
  • Click Create

• Write Your Code
  • Visual Studio will generate a basic Program.cs file.
  • Visual Studio will generate a minimal code structure.

Console.WriteLine("Welcome to the latest .NET Console App!");
Console.Write("Enter your favorite programming language: ");
string language = Console.ReadLine();
Console.WriteLine($"Nice choice! {language} is awesome.");

• Run the Application
  • Click the Start button (or press F5) to build and run your console app.
  • The output will appear in a terminal/console window.

What’s New in This Style?

• No need for class Program or static void Main()
• Cleaner and shorter code
• Perfect for beginners and quick prototypes

Importing Section

The importing section in C# uses the using keyword to include namespaces that contain useful classes and methods. For example, using System; allows access to basic functionalities like Console.WriteLine().

using System; // Imports the System namespace

Namespace Declaration

A namespace in C# is used to organize and group related classes. It helps avoid naming conflicts in large applications. Developers often define custom namespaces based on project structure.

namespace MyConsoleApp
{
    // Classes go here
}

Class Declaration

A class in C# is a blueprint for objects. Every C# program must contain at least one class. For console applications, it’s usually named Program.

class Program
{
// Entry point and logic go here
}

Main() Method

The Main() method is the entry point of a C# application. It’s where the program starts execution. In newer versions of .NET, this can be omitted thanks to top-level statements, but it’s still used in many traditional projects.

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
}

I hope you found this blog helpful and easy to follow!
If you enjoyed it or learned something new, feel free to leave a comment, share it with others, and let me know your thoughts or questions below. Happy coding!