The .NET Framework
The .NET Framework offers the essential compile-time and run-time basis to build and run .NET-based applications.
Platform Substrate
The .NET Framework should run on an operating system. At present, the .NET Framework is built to run on the Microsoft Win32® operating systems. In the upcoming, the .NET Framework will be extended to run on other platforms, such as Microsoft Windows® CE.
Application Services
When running on Windows, application services, such as Component Services, Message Queuing, Windows Internet Information Server (IIS), and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), are accessible to the developer. The .NET Framework represents application services through classes in the .NET Framework class library.
Common Language Runtime
The Common Language Runtime makes things easier for application development, provides a vigorous and safe and sound execution environment, and supports various languages. The CLR environment is as well referred to as a managed environment, in which common services, such as garbage collection and security, are robotically provided.
.NET Framework Class Library
The .NET Framework class library represents features of the runtime and offers other services that each and every developer necessitates. The classes reduce to bare bones development of .NET-based applications. Developers can expand them by creating their personal libraries of classes.
ADO.NET
ADO.NET is the third and latest generation of Microsoft ActiveX® Data Objects (ADO) technology. It provides improved support for the disconnected programming model. It as well provides rich XML support.
ASP.NET
Microsoft ASP.NET is a programming framework that is built on the CLR. ASP.NET can be used on a server to build powerful Web applications. ASP.NET Web Forms grant an easy and commanding way to build dynamic Web user interfaces (UI).
XML Web Services
XML Web services are programmable Web components that can be shared among applications on the Internet or the intranet. The .NET Framework provides tools and classes for building, testing, and distributing XML Web services.
User Interfaces
The .NET Framework supports three types of user interfaces:
- Web Forms, which work through ASP.NET
- Windows Forms, which run on Win32 client computers
- Console Applications, which, for simplicity
Languages
Any language that conforms to the Common Language Specification (CLS) can run on the CLR. In the .NET Framework, Microsoft provides Visual Basic, Visual C++, Microsoft Visual C#, Visual J#, and Microsoft JScript® support. Third parties can provide other languages.
