.NET Framework

.NET Framework
Microsoft · Public domain · source
Name	.NET Framework
Developer	Microsoft
Released	13 February 2002
Latest release version	4.8.1
Latest release date	09 August 2022
Programming language	C#, Visual Basic .NET, C++/CLI, F#
Operating system	Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022
Platform	IA-32, x86-64, ARM
Genre	Software framework
License	Proprietary software
Website	https://dotnet.microsoft.com/

.NET Framework is a proprietary software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It provides a controlled programming environment where software can be developed, installed, and executed on Windows-based computers across a variety of hardware. The framework includes a large class library named Framework Class Library (FCL) and provides language interoperability across several programming languages. Programs written for it execute in a software environment known as the Common Language Runtime (CLR), which provides services such as security, memory management, and exception handling.

Overview

The initial release was part of a strategic initiative by Microsoft, first announced in the late 1990s under the name Next Generation Windows Services (NGWS), to build a comprehensive platform for building and running applications. It was designed to address the challenges of Component Object Model (COM) development and to provide a consistent object-oriented programming environment whether code is stored and executed locally, distributed across the Internet, or executed remotely. A key design goal was to ensure interoperability with existing code, such as COM components and Win32 API applications, while introducing modern development paradigms. The vision was championed by executives like Bill Gates and implemented by teams led by figures such as Anders Hejlsberg.

Architecture

The architecture is built around the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI), an open specification developed by Microsoft and standardized by Ecma International and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The core component is the Common Language Runtime (CLR), the virtual machine that manages execution of .NET programs, handling tasks like just-in-time compilation, garbage collection (computer science), and type safety. The Framework Class Library (FCL) is a comprehensive, object-oriented collection of reusable types used to develop applications ranging from traditional command-line to GUI-based applications with Windows Forms and, later, Windows Presentation Foundation. This layered architecture ensures that applications are built on a stable, secure, and versioned base.

Components

Major components include the Base Class Library (BCL), which provides fundamental functionalities like file I/O, string manipulation, and collections. For data access, ADO.NET provides tools to interact with databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database. For building user interfaces, Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) offer rich frameworks for desktop applications, while ASP.NET enables the creation of dynamic web applications and services. Other critical components include Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) for service-oriented applications, Windows Workflow Foundation (WF) for defining workflows, and Language Integrated Query (LINQ) for data querying capabilities integrated directly into C# and Visual Basic .NET.

Versions

Version 1.0 was released in 2002 alongside Visual Studio .NET. A significant update, version 2.0, introduced generics and support for 64-bit platforms. Version 3.0, released with Windows Vista, added Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, and Windows Workflow Foundation. Version 3.5, released with Visual Studio 2008, included Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and ADO.NET Entity Framework. Version 4.0 introduced a new Common Language Runtime and the Dynamic Language Runtime. Later versions, such as 4.5 (released with Visual Studio 2012), 4.6, and 4.8, focused on performance improvements, better support for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016, and enhancements to ASP.NET and Entity Framework. The final version is 4.8.1, which added support for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.

Development tools

The primary integrated development environment (IDE) is Microsoft Visual Studio, which has included specific versions like Visual Studio .NET 2002, Visual Studio 2005, and Visual Studio 2019. These tools provide designers for Windows Forms, Windows Presentation Foundation, and ASP.NET, along with powerful debugging and profiling capabilities. The .NET Framework Software Development Kit (SDK) includes command-line compilers for C# (csc.exe) and Visual Basic .NET (vbc.exe), as well as utilities like MSBuild and ILDASM. While Visual Studio is dominant, other IDEs like SharpDevelop and, later, Visual Studio Code with extensions, have provided alternative development environments for building applications.

Interoperability

A fundamental feature is its deep interoperability with existing Microsoft technologies and code. This is achieved through Platform Invocation Services (P/Invoke) for calling functions in native DLLs like the Win32 API, and extensive support for interacting with Component Object Model (COM) components via Runtime Callable Wrappers and COM Callable Wrappers. This allowed developers to integrate new applications with legacy systems built on technologies like Microsoft Office Automation or ActiveX controls. Furthermore, the framework supports interoperability between languages that conform to the Common Language Specification, enabling, for example, a class written in C# to be inherited by a component written in Visual Basic .NET.

Category:Microsoft application programming interfaces Category:Software frameworks Category:Ecma standards Category:2002 software