Terminology

You should be aware that a couple of language constructs have a different terminology in C# from that in C++. Member variables in C++ are known as fields in C#, and functions in C++ are known as methods in C#. In C#, the term function has a more general meaning and refers to any member of a class that contains code. This means that "function" covers methods, properties, constructors, destructors, indexers, and operator overloads. In C++, "function" and "method" are often used interchangeably in casual speech, though strictly a C++ method is a virtual member function.

If this all sounds confusing, the following table should help.

Meaning	C++ Term	C# Term
Variable that is a member of a class	Member variable	Field
Any item in a class that contains instructions	Function (or member function)	Function
Item in a class that contains instructions and is callable by name with the syntax DoSomething(/*parameters*/).	Function (or member function)	Method
Virtual function that is defined as a member of a class	Method	Virtual method

You should also be aware of the differences in terminology listed in the following table.

C++ Term	C# Term
Compound statement	Block statement
Lvalue	Variable expression

This appendix, where possible, uses the terminology appropriate to the language being discussed.