DotNet
DotNet
.NET is a software framework that is designed and developed by Microsoft. The first version of the .Net framework was 1.0 which came in the year 2002. In easy words, it is a virtual machine for compiling and executing programs written in different languages like C#, VB.Net, etc.
It is used to develop Form-based applications, Web-based applications, and Web services. There is a variety of programming languages available on the .Net platform, VB.Net and C# being the most common ones. It is used to build applications for Windows, phone, web, etc. It provides a lot of functionalities and also supports industry standards.
.NET Framework supports more than 60 programming languages in which 11 programming languages are designed and developed by Microsoft. The remaining Non-Microsoft Languages which are supported by .NET Framework but not designed and developed by Microsoft.
11 Programming Languages which are designed and developed by Microsoft are:
- C#.NET
- VB.NET
- C++.NET
- J#.NET
- F#.NET
- JSCRIPT.NET
- WINDOWS POWERSHELL
- IRON RUBY
- IRON PYTHON
- C OMEGA
- ASML(Abstract State Machine Language)
Main Components of .NET Framework
Common Language Runtime (CLR): CLR is the basic and Virtual Machine component of the .NET Framework. It is the run-time environment in the .NET Framework that runs the codes and helps in making the development process easier by providing various services such as remoting, thread management, type-safety, memory management, robustness, etc.. Basically, it is responsible for managing the execution of .NET programs regardless of any .NET programming language. It also helps in the management of code, as code that targets the runtime is known as the Managed Code and code doesn’t target to runtime is known as Unmanaged code.
Framework Class Library(FCL): It is the collection of reusable, object-oriented class libraries and methods, etc that can be integrated with CLR. Also called the Assemblies. It is just like the header files in C/C++ and packages in the java. Installing the framework basically is the installation of CLR and FCL into the system. Below is the overview of .NET Framework
.NET starter pack
If you’re just starting with .NET, here are some useful links for the beginning of your journey:
.NET guide – the general documentation by Microsoft for newbies;
.NET Core guide – for those considering transitioning to the Core version, go here;
.NET framework – the original .NET documentation;
Xamarin – the docs for mobile development;
.NET foundation – the headquarters of the .NET open-source community;
NuGet – the place to find all .NET packages (By the way, Microsoft Visual also supports npm);
Best .NET tools – our take on the best tools, supported by expert opinion;
.NET Core and framework – download it here; and
.NET developer community – all about chatter and support with links to social media, forums, blogs, live workshops, and organizations like .NET foundation.