C#

C# (pronounced "see sharp") is part of the .NET framework developed by Microsoft. The name is somewhat misleading, as C# has less in common with C/C++ than with Java.

The differences to C/C++ are many:

• C# is part of Microsoft's .NET framework and - although a port to Linux, called Mono, is available, it is to some extent limited to the Windows operating system. Platform independent programming is hard to achieve, albeit not impossible.
• C# is a managed language, meaning the framework keeps watch over the objects you create. Basically this means garbage collection (i.e. destruction of unneeded objects) is done for you. Also, you don't have to suffer through the infamous pointer wars. Programming is safer.
• The tradeoff is in speed, though. C# is supposed to reach around 95-98% of C++ speed, although this may not be realistic. Depending on the application, though, 85-90% should be absolutely achievable.
• Using frameworks like irrLicht / irrKlang or even DirectX is very easy.
• When programming in C#, you make some implicit assumptions about the computer your application is executed on. Some sort of .NET framework (.NET or Mono) have to be installed to execute. That - along with IDEs like Visual Studio or MonoDevelop - are free (in some versions).