These days a computer programming language can be named nearly anything. Since we are learning python, I chose to find a separate programming program to learn about. I found C # (pronounced "sea sharp") which was named after the piano note when it's original name "COOL" didn't take so well by its creator Microsoft. This object oriented program was created by Anders Hejlsberg between 1990-2000 when Sun a competitor of Microsoft challenged some of Java's platforms. It was officially ISO approved in 2006.
C# will become more popular as Microsoft depreciates their support of Visual Basic. ArcGIS has announced it will no longer support Visual Basic after 10.0. The properties of C#'s general purpose language allow it to naturally replace the VB platform. However, it is not a standalone program like python. It must work as a symbiotic partner with the .NET platform that is highly supported by Microsoft and ArcGIS. C# is not for the novice nor for any beginner thus it's use by the functionally literate GIS participant will be minimum.
Through my research, I was not able to clearly identify what C# actually does for ArcGIS. I learned that it more of a performance thing that helps with visuals. From all the hub hub, C# is a program that one loves or hates.
The article from ArcGIS on the depreciation of their various platforms was helpful.
Generally searching C# was not particularly helpful either because being so new to programming it was difficult to decipher what I was looking for. The best information can be found on http//about.com (articles by David Bolton).
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