Why We Use C#/.NET and C++ for Instrument Control

Choosing the right programming language for building reliable, efficient software systems is critical, especially in a domain as complex and high-stakes as instrument control. Programming languages are more than just syntax; they come with ecosystems of tools, libraries, and environments that shape their effectiveness for specific tasks.

In this post, we’ll explain why we use C#/.NET and C++ for our projects and why some popular languages, like Python and JavaScript, don’t make the cut for large-scale software development.

The Case Against Dynamically Typed Languages

Languages like JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python have gained immense popularity due to their flexibility and ease of use. However, they come with inherent limitations that make them unsuitable for large-scale, high-reliability projects.

Unpredictable Code

Dynamically typed languages do not enforce strict type-checking at compile time, leading to unpredictable behavior at runtime. For example, in a Python project I supported, a seemingly minor change to return a datetime object instead of a string caused a production failure when one scenario was overlooked. Strongly typed languages prevent such issues by catching errors at compile time.

Challenges in System Evolution

When requirements inevitably change, dynamic languages struggle to support refactoring and system evolution. Without compile-time guarantees, tooling for detecting dependencies and errors is limited. This necessitates extensive testing to catch runtime errors—especially in challenging areas like hardware integration and user interfaces.

Performance Limitations

Dynamic languages also lag in runtime performance. Strongly typed languages like C# and C++ allow for optimizations, such as function inlining, that improve efficiency. While runtime performance is not always critical in instrument control, these limitations further reinforce why dynamic languages are not ideal for this domain.

Why C#/.NET and C++ Shine

Strongly typed languages provide the reliability, maintainability, and performance necessary for building robust instrument control systems.

C++: Low-Level Control and Performance

C++ offers unmatched low-level control and is widely used in embedded systems, particularly for firmware and microcontrollers. However, it comes with challenges, such as manual memory management, complex tooling, and slower compile times. These factors make it best suited for specific, performance-critical components rather than end-to-end development.

C#/.NET: Productivity and Safety

C# combines strong typing with automated memory management (via garbage collection), making it safer and less error-prone than manual approaches in C++. It also provides:

• Fast compilation: Unlike C++, C# compiles to a binary metadata format, enabling faster builds and easier iterative development.
• Rich ecosystems: C# boasts extensive libraries and tools that simplify tasks like logging, database integration, and UI development.
• Reflection and introspection: Features like reflection enable powerful runtime tools and frameworks, such as database ORM layers, further boosting productivity.

Java vs. C#

Both Java and C# are excellent choices for instrument control. We chose C#/.NET due to our team’s deep experience with the platform, allowing us to deliver high-quality systems efficiently.

Addressing Go: Why Exceptions Matter

Some might wonder why we don’t use Go. While Go has its merits, its lack of native exception handling is a deal-breaker in our view. Exceptions allow clean separation of error-handling logic, improving code readability and maintainability. In hardware-focused applications, errors are often exceptional and fatal, making exceptions an ideal fit.

Summary

For building reliable and efficient instrument control systems, C#/.NET and C++ are the clear winners. C++ excels in low-level performance and control but is best confined to firmware. C#/.NET, on the other hand, offers an ideal combination of safety, productivity, and rich tooling, making it the backbone of our instrument control solutions.

While other languages like Python, JavaScript, and Go have their place in software development, they don’t meet the high standards required for complex, large-scale systems in this domain. Our expertise with C#/.NET ensures that we can deliver robust, scalable solutions tailored to your instrument control needs.