It is either Assembly or C++ or a combination of both. Also, comparing C++ and the .NET family of languages is like comparing apples and oranges. C++ is a fully compiled laguage and you are totally free to do anything with it, including hang your self, where as, .NET languages are not fully compiled; they end up in bytecodes which are then interpreted by the .NET run-time when the application runs. Therefore, if your code is intended for speed in a extreme high trafic environment, such as real-time communication, C++ is your choice. Otherwise, for rapid app development, pick .NET. if you disagree, then please tell us what was used to create the .NET framework/.NET languager interpreters, or Java, or Javascript or all the other bytecode-oriented/managed codes/interpreters/the so-called "new languages" for that matter, that are being sold out there.

Please do not confuse between .NET and C++; .NET is a framework, while C++ is a language. Also, C++ creates .NET.