# What is C++++? A programming language?

The term C++++ is the reason why the C# programming language has such a strange name. Behind this term is not a specific language as you might think. Instead, the name provides information on the development of C#.

## Where does the term C++++ come from?

Developers have been working with the C programming language since 1972. In 1979, the C++ extension was created. A good way to explain the new name is that the ++ character belongs to the C and [C++ operators](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/c-operators/). This enables an incremental increase to be produced and “+1” is calculated with each run. So if you are familiar with C, you will understand that C++ is an extension of C. By the way, ++ can also be found in [Java operators](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/java-operators/ "Java operators").

If you now want to indicate a new extension, you could simply add two plus signs to the end even though this makes no sense from a software programming point of view. This could also be the reason that the term C++++ has perhaps not become generally accepted and instead C# is used. But with a little imagination, C++++ can be found hidden within C#. **If the plus signs are arranged in a square**, this results in a sharp sign.

[![Image: The development of C++++ to C#](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/a/csm_the-development-of-c-to-c_76f0d9016c.webp "The development of C++++ to C#")](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Schaubilder/the-development-of-c-to-c.png) C# can also be read as C++++.       The popular programming language C# has been around since 2001. The programming language was originally supposed to be called Cool as an acronym for “C like Object Oriented Language”. As an object-oriented programming language, C# is not only related to C and C++, but also has strong similarities with Java.

## Why isn’t the name C++++ used?

As explained, a double increment with four plus signs does not make sense from a developer’s point of view. For this reason alone, the name C++++ was never really considered. The term C# is smarter because it can be read in several ways. C# is not pronounced “C hash”, as you might think, but rather “**C sharp**”, which in musical terms signifies that a **musical note** should be a semitone higher. With this in mind, the sign could symbolize a slightly enhanced version of C ⁠— an extension of the original language.

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### Summary

C++++ is a rarely used term for C#. The language belongs ⁠— like C++ ⁠— to the most popular [internet programming languages](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/web-programming-languages/ "Web programming languages"). When it comes to [programming paradigms](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/programming-paradigms/ "Programming paradigms") C# belongs to [imperative programming](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/imperative-programming/ "Imperative programming"), just like C, C++ and Java.

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This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/c/](https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/websites/web-development/c/) for AI/LLM consumption.