What's the difference between C++ and C#? Is visual C++ a different language or just a new IDE? What apps are

C# is like Java, except it was developed by Microsoft. C# compiles to MS's intermediate language, which can be platform independent (i.e. can run on Windows or Linux) as long as there's a .NET Common Language Runtime available for the platform (just like Java). C++ on the other hand compiles straight to native code (i.e. binary) thats specific to a platform. Its also a bit harder to develop applications with C++ than it is with C#, as C# provides strong type-checking, garbage collection, and other features. C++ requires you to manage everything about your application, but can provide enormous performance over C# any day. Visual C++ is an integrated development environment made by Microsoft to assist in development of Windows applications. There are other IDE's available, such as Borland C++. As for your question on which language to use to develop games with, thats a toss up. On one hand, C++ will give performance, but is extremely difficult to develop games with. Its more of a personal preference really. I'd choose C# as there's now the XNA framework that Microsoft made to help developers create games. Any kind of application can be developed with C++ and C#. One final note: C++ can leverage the .NET framework, so you can gain the benefits of both worlds. Having the .NET framework provides a lot of common tasks that many applications need, such as developing window forms and database access to name a few.

Visual C was the C++ predecessor. As it's name implies, alot of C remains in C++. Although not actually being more powerful than C, C++ allows the programmer to more easily manage and operate with Objects, using an OOP (Object Oriented Programming) concept.The IDEs is somewhat consistent within both platforms. The difference is mainly design tools and many more plugins.

C++ and C# are languages developed by Microsoft which have similar backgrounds. They are both based on the original language of C. Thus they would possess similar jargon and procedures. However, they differ slightly in the manner of forming and calling functions, and many other commands. In my opinion, I think C# is more powerful than C++. I have used C++ in creating a host of small programs. One of my colleagues used C# for his final year electrical engineering project and was able to do many things that I don't think is possible with C++. I would recommend C# if you want to make a computer game.