What is exactly .NET?
.NET is a free, open-source, and cross-platform software development framework developed by Microsoft. It provides a comprehensive and consistent programming model for building various types of applications, including web applications, desktop applications, mobile apps, cloud-based services, gaming applications, and more.
The main components of .NET include:
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Common Language Runtime (CLR): The CLR is the execution engine of the .NET framework. It provides a runtime environment for executing .NET applications and manages tasks such as memory management, code execution, security, and exception handling.
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Class Library: The .NET Class Library is a collection of pre-built, reusable classes, interfaces, and types that developers can leverage to build applications. It provides a wide range of functionality, such as file I/O, networking, data access, cryptography, and much more, making it easier for developers to build applications without having to reinvent the wheel.
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Language Interoperability: .NET supports multiple programming languages, including C#, VB.NET, F#, and others. These languages are known as "managed languages" because they compile to a common intermediate language (IL or MSIL) that the CLR can execute. This language interoperability allows developers to use their preferred language while still benefiting from the full capabilities of the .NET framework.
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ASP.NET: ASP.NET is a part of .NET that enables developers to build web applications and services. It includes Web Forms for creating web pages and MVC (Model-View-Controller) for building web applications following the MVC architectural pattern.
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.NET Core and .NET 5/6: .NET Core is the open-source, cross-platform implementation of .NET that supports building applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. With the release of .NET 5 and .NET 6, Microsoft unified the previously separate .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Xamarin into a single platform called ".NET." This unified platform is designed to provide better performance, new features, and a consistent development experience across different platforms.
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Xamarin: Xamarin is a set of tools and libraries that allow developers to build cross-platform mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows using C# and the .NET framework.
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Entity Framework: Entity Framework is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that simplifies database access and management, allowing developers to work with databases using high-level object-oriented concepts rather than raw SQL queries.
In summary, .NET is a versatile and powerful framework that provides developers with a unified platform for building a wide range of applications across different platforms and devices. It offers a robust set of tools, libraries, and services to streamline the development process and deliver efficient and reliable software solutions. With its open-source nature and support for multiple programming languages, .NET continues to evolve and grow as a popular choice for modern application development.