.

NET FRAMEWORK
1. According to Microsoft, .NET has no official full form or standard definition. It
is simply a product from Microsoft used for developing various kinds of
applications, including desktop, web, and mobile applications. Unlike older
languages like C and C++, which were limited in scope, .NET allows developers to
create diverse applications using a single platform.

2. .NET addresses the limitation of requiring different languages for different

applications. For example, older languages like C and C++ were mainly used for
desktop applications and were not suitable for web applications. Web technologies
required languages like PHP, CGI, or JavaScript. Mobile application development
was also not available in the early days and only came into prominence after the
introduction of Java and .NET.

3. A major advantage of .NET is the availability of over 30 programming languages.

This variety caters to developers from different backgrounds, whether they come
from COBOL, Pascal, Java, or C/ C++. For example, if you are familiar with C++,
you can use C#, which is considered an extension of C++ within .NET. Similarly,
those from a Visual Basic background can use VB.NET.

4. This flexibility means that programmers can choose a language they are
comfortable with, much like choosing a preferred color when buying a product.
While .NET offers multiple languages, C# is the most widely used in the industry,
followed by VB.NET. Unlike Java, which has a single language, .NET allows
 developers to work with different languages, with C# being a leading competitor
against Java in the market.
5. C# offers several features, including:
a) Object-Oriented Programming ( OOP): Provides security and reusability.
b) Platform Independence: Applications can run on multiple platforms, including
Windows, Android, and iOS, with direct support from Microsoft.
c) Language Independence: Code written in one .NET language can be reused in
another, enabling cross-language reusability.

6. C# shares similarities with C++ but can be used for developing a broader range
of applications, including desktop, web, and mobile applications. It is a powerful
language, widely used in the industry, with 8-10% of global programmers
developing applications in C#. This versatility makes C# a strong contender
against Java and a popular choice for those interested in working with Microsoft
products.
Introduction to .NET Framework

The .NET Framework, created by Microsoft, is a software development framework

that offers a runtime environment along with a collection of libraries and tools
for developing and running applications on Windows operating systems. It supports
various programming languages, including C# , F#, and Visual Basic, and
accommodates different types of applications, such as desktop, web, mobile, and
gaming applications.
1. The .NET Framework consists of two primary components: the Common Language
Runtime ( CLR) and the .NET Framework Class Library. The CLR manages the
execution of code written in any supported language, while the class library
offers a vast collection of pre-built functions and classes that developers can use
to create diverse applications.

2. One of the major benefits of the .NET Framework is its support for multiple
programming languages. This allows developers to select the language that aligns
with their expertise and project requirements while still utilizing the same set
of libraries and tools provided by the framework.

3. Another advantage is the framework' s capability to support various application

types. It includes libraries and tools for developing desktop, web, mobile, and
gaming applications, making it a flexible option for developers involved in different
projects.

4. The .NET Framework also incorporates several features that enhance application
security, reliability, and performance. These features include code access
security, automatic memory management, and just in time ( JIT) compilation,
which helps speed up application execution.

5. Additionally, the .NET Framework is designed to integrate smoothly with other

Microsoft technologies, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, and
Microsoft Office. This integration facilitates the creation of applications that
seamlessly work with other Microsoft products.
The .NET Framework supports over 60 programming languages, with 11 of them being
specifically designed and developed by Microsoft. The rest are non-Microsoft
languages that, while not created by Microsoft, are still compatible with the .NET
Framework.
There are three major phases in the evolution of .NET technology:

1. OLE Technology
2. COM Technology
3. .NET Technology

OLE Technology: OLE ( Object Linking and Embedding) is a technology developed

by Microsoft that facilitates the integration of elements from different
applications, allowing them to be linked and embedded within one another.

COM Technology: COM ( Common Object Model) is a technology from the Microsoft
Windows operating system family that enables communication between various
software components. Developers commonly use COM for tasks such as creating
reusable software components, connecting components to build applications, and
leveraging Windows services. COM objects can be created using a variety of
programming languages.

.NET Technology: .NET is a collection of technologies developed by Microsoft for

building Windows and web applications. Introduced in February 2002, .NET was
initially known as NGWS ( Next Generation Web Services) and represents
Microsoft' s new Internet strategy. It is regarded as one of the most powerful,
popular, and versatile internet technologies available today.

The programming languages designed and developed by Microsoft include:

- C# .NET
- VB.NET
- C++.NET
- J# .NET
- F# .NET
- JScript.NET
- Windows PowerShell
- IronRuby
- IronPython
- C Omega
- ASML Abstract State Machine Language)

The main objective of this framework is to develop an application that can run on
the windows platform. The current version of the .Net framework is 4.8.
 COMPONENTS OF .NET FRAMEWORK

Components of .NET Framework

There are following components of .NET Framework:
1. CLR ( Common Language Runtime)
2. CTS ( Common Type System)
3. BCL ( Base Class Library)
4. CLS ( Common Language Specification)
5. FCL ( Framework Class Library)
6. .NET Assemblies
7. XML Web Services
8. Window Services

CLR ( COMMON LANGUAGE RUNTIME)

It is an important part of a .NET framework that works like a virtual component of
the .NET Framework to executes the different languages program like c# , Visual
Basic, etc. A CLR also helps to convert a source code into the byte code, and this
byte code is known as CIL ( Common Intermediate Language) or MSIL ( Microsoft
Intermediate Language). After converting into a byte code, a CLR uses a JIT compiler
at run time that helps to convert a CIL or MSIL code into the machine or native code.

CTS ( COMMON TYPE SYSTEM)

It specifies a standard that represent what type of data and value can be defined
and managed in computer memory at runtime. A CTS ensures that programming data
defined in various languages should beinteract with each other to share information.
For example, in C# we define data type as int, while in VB.NET we define integer as
a data type.
The base class library has a rich collection of libraries features and functions that
help to implement many programming languages in the .NET Framework, such as C
#, F #, Visual C ++, and more. Furthermore, BCL divides into two parts:

USER DEFINED CLASS LIBRARY

Assemblies - It is the collection of small parts of deployment an application' s
part. It contains either the DLL ( Dynamic Link Library) or exe ( Executable)
file.
1. In LL, it uses code reusability, whereas in exe it contains only
output file/ or application.
2. DLL file can' t be open, whereas exe file can be open.
3. DLL file can' t be run individually, whereas in exe, it can run
individually.
 4. In DLL file, there is no main method, whereas exe file has main
method.
PREDEFINED CLASS LIBRARY
Namespace - It is the collection of predefined class and method that present
in .Net. In other languages such as, C we used header files, in java we used
package similarly we used " using system" in .NET, where using is a keyword
and system is a namespace.
CLS ( COMMON LANGUAGE SPECIFICATION)
It is a subset of common type system ( CTS) that defines a set of rules and
regulations which should be followed by every language that comes under the .net
framework. In other words, a CLS language should be cross-language integration or
interoperability. For example, in C# and VB.NET language, the C # language terminate
each statement with semicolon, whereas in VB.NET it is not end with semicolon, and
when these statements execute in .NET Framework, it provides a common platform to
interact and share information with each other.
Advantages of the .NET Framework:
1. Multi-language support: The .NET Framework supports various
programming languages, including C#, F#, and Visual Basic, allowing
developers to choose the language that best suits their skills and project
requirements.

2. Cross-platform compatibility: It can run on multiple operating systems,

such as Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering flexibility in developing and
deploying applications.
3. Large community: The .NET Framework has a vast and active developer
community that has created numerous resources, including libraries,
tools, and documentation.

4. Security: It includes a range of security features, such as code

access security and digital signatures, to help protect applications
from malicious attacks.

5. Productivity: The framework provides a comprehensive set of pre-built

libraries and tools, helping developers save time and increase
productivity.

Disadvantages of the .NET Framework:

1. Windows dependency: Although it can operate on various operating
systems, the .NET Framework was initially designed for Windows, which
may not make it the ideal choice for fully cross-platform applications.

2. Large footprint: The framework has a significant installation size,

which can be challenging to manage on systems with limited storage or
bandwidth.

3. Licensing: Some versions of the .NET Framework require a license, which

can increase the cost of development and deployment.
4. Performance: While it generally offers good performance, the .NET
Framework may not be the best option for high-performance applications
that need low-level hardware access or complex algorithms.

5. Learning curve: Despite being user-friendly, the .NET Framework can

still present a learning curve, particularly for developers new to the
platform or object-oriented programming.