C# was created by Microsoft as part of its .NET framework. It was originally called "Cool" but was renamed to C# by the time of .NET's public release in 2000. C# syntax is similar to C, C++ and Java, using semicolons, curly brackets and other common elements. It has advantages over Java like better performance and advantages over C/C++ like automatic memory management and not needing header files. C# can be used to create desktop apps, web apps, services and more.