C++/CLI
C++/CLI is a language extension of C++ that enables developers to write .NET applications using C++ syntax, providing interoperability between native C++ code and the .NET Framework. It allows for the creation of managed code that runs on the Common Language Runtime (CLR) while still leveraging existing C++ libraries and performance optimizations. This makes it particularly useful for bridging legacy C++ systems with modern .NET applications.
Developers should learn C++/CLI when they need to integrate native C++ code with .NET-based systems, such as when migrating legacy applications to .NET or building performance-critical components in C++ that must interact with .NET UI frameworks like Windows Forms or WPF. It is also valuable for creating wrappers around C++ libraries to make them accessible from C# or other .NET languages, enabling reuse of existing codebases without full rewrites.