What is .NET Framework?
.NET (pronounced as Dot Net) is a software development framework and platform that consists of programming languages, developer tools, and libraries for building and running many different types of cloud, web, and desktop applications. The various implementations of .NET framework are compatible with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and many more.
This free, open-source software development framework created by Microsoft has its first version released in 2002. Its programming tools, predefined libraries, reusable components, and guiding principles have been used by web developers, software engineers, and programmers for simple development and deployment of a wide range of applications for desktops, mobile devices, the web, and the Internet of Things.
The key components of .NET Framework are the following:
- The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is a platform in .Net architecture that handles running applications. It provides services like exception handling, garbage collection, thread management, type-safety, and more.
- The Framework Class Library (FCL) is a collection of methods and functions that can be used for the core purpose such as provision of a set of APIs and types for common functionality. Software developers can use this library of clean, reusable codes to build software solutions or import into their own applications.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the .NET Framework.
1. Not for Windows only
It can run on multiple platforms like Linux and Mac OS X when its NET Core was updated in 2016. This allows .NET framework to take open-source contributions while enabling users to add new platforms to the application or use it for cloud application development.
2. Open Source
The command-line interface (CLI) in the .NET framework has an open-source license. The source code is available on GitHub for easy download. Though the CLI is maintained by a standard organization, it enabled the contributors to become part of its development and modify the interface according to the needs of a specific development.
3. Memory Management
In other programming languages, allocating and releasing memory as well as handling object lifetimes are tasks that should be handled by programmers. In .NET Framework apps, the CLR provides these services on behalf of the app.
4. Extensive Libraries
From simple to complex data structures, .NET is a systematic ecosystem that has an extensive collection of pre-defined libraries for application development, migration, quality assurance, and reengineering. Software development professionals can leverage a plethora of needs-specific functionalities as the framework supports many languages, tools, and technologies. This platform also offers a dedicated library for database access, encryption, security, and a lot more.
5. Language Interoperability
Language compilers that focus on .NET Framework produce an intermediate code called Common Intermediate Language (CIL). The CIL is compiled at run time by the common language runtime. Routines in one language to be accessed and written to other languages. This feature enables programmers to create apps in their preferred languages.
6. Side-By-Side Execution
.NET Framework multiple versions of the common language runtime to exist on the same device which in turn helps resolve version conflicts. There is co-existence of multiple versions of apps while still enabling an application to be accessible on the version of .NET Framework with which it was built.
7. More Secure Than Java
Security is an important feature of any software framework. Unlike Java which doesn’t have a consistent platform for security, .NET Framework is designed from the beginning with security in mind. A study shows that Dot Net has a ‘Vulnerability Density of 27.2 as compared to Java’s 30.0.
8. Website Tools
The main tool in the .NET framework is ASP.NET which is used for building websites CSS, HTML, JavaScript, and server scripting. Though not ideally used for front-end development, it focuses on the server end of the development. Developers use any of the .NET languages to write ASP.NET web applications.
9. Preferred Choice by Companies of Any Size and Type
Big brands such as Accenture, Dell, HCL, TCS, and many others use .NET Framework in their application development. It offers an easy learning curve and is considered as one the most reliable framework with ever-growing acceptance and popularity among developers.
10. The Main Programming Languages of .NET Framework
It contains 32 programming languages including C#, F#, and Visual Basic. There are also other programming languages found in the .NET Framework such as A Sharp (.NET), Boo, Cobra, Fantom, IronPython, Oxygene, and Sharp. This platform comprises both front-end and back-end languages, e.g., ASP.NET is used for back-end development and C# & VB.NET are used for front-end development.
Conclusion
The .NET Framework is powerful yet a standard software development platform that provides a lot of beneficial features and functionalities for building and maintaining reliable applications on the web, desktop, and mobile devices. ClinkIT Solutions is a 6x Gold Microsoft Partner with proven eligibility and expertise on many competencies including Cloud Platform and Application Development. For any further details, feel free to get in touch with us!
