Most common or vicious mistakes in C# development

Question

What are the most common or vicious mistakes when experienced C++ programmers develop in C#?

Answer 1

using Hungarian Notation and other C++ naming conventions

private int m_iMyIntField;
class CWidget { ... }

Answer 2

Incidentally, the C# compiler has a number of heuristics in it for helping out the experienced C++ programmer who is a novice C# programmer. For example, if you say

int x[];

the compiler will helpfully point out that the [] is a part of the type in C#, so you probably meant

int[] x;

C# also allows things like putting unnecessary semicolons at the end of a class declaration so that C++ programmers who are in that habit don't get bitten by it.

Answer 3

Confusing "pass by reference" and "reference type":

void GetAnArray(int input, ref string[] output);

(Compare with C++: void getAnArray(int input, std::vector<std::string>& output);)

Answer 4

• RAII vs IDispose
• value type vs ref type (struct vs class, boxing and unboxing, etc.)

Answer 5

Forgetting to specify access modifiers for every class member.

Answer 6

Writing the full namespace each time.

This is fine in C++ when you're typing std::this or boost::that. Not so great in C# when you repeat System.Windows.Forms.Whatever all over the place.