14-09-2017, 12:25 PM
.NET Framework (pronounced dot net) is a software framework developed by Microsoft that works primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large class library called Framework Class Library (FCL) and provides language interoperability (each language can use code written in other languages) through various programming languages. Programs written for the .NET Framework run in a software environment (in contrast to a hardware environment) called the Common Language Runtime (CLR), an application virtual machine that offers services such as security, memory management, and exception handling. (As such, computer code written using .NET Framework is called "managed code.") FCL and CLR together constitute .NET Framework.
FCL provides user interface, data access, database connectivity, cryptography, web application development, numerical algorithms and network communications. Programmers produce software by combining their source code with the .NET Framework and other libraries. The framework is intended to be used by most of the new applications created for the Windows platform. Microsoft also produces an integrated development environment largely for .NET software called Visual Studio.
The .NET Framework started as proprietary software, although the firm worked to standardize the software stack almost immediately, even before its first release. Despite standardization efforts, developers, particularly those in open source and open source communities, expressed concern about the selected terms and perspectives of any free and open source implementation, especially with respect to patents software. Since then, Microsoft has changed the development of .NET to more closely follow a contemporary model of a software project developed by the community, including the publication of an update of its promising patent to address concerns.
The .NET Framework led to a family of .NET platforms targeting mobile computing, embedded devices, alternative operating systems, and add-ons for web browsers. A reduced version of the framework, .NET Compact Framework, is available on Windows CE platforms, including Windows Mobile devices such as smartphones. .NET Micro Framework is intended for embedded devices with limited resources. Silver-light was available as a web browser add-on. Mono is available for many operating systems and is customized on popular smartphone operating systems (Android and iOS) and game engines. .NET Core targets the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and cloud computing and cross-platform workloads.
FCL provides user interface, data access, database connectivity, cryptography, web application development, numerical algorithms and network communications. Programmers produce software by combining their source code with the .NET Framework and other libraries. The framework is intended to be used by most of the new applications created for the Windows platform. Microsoft also produces an integrated development environment largely for .NET software called Visual Studio.
The .NET Framework started as proprietary software, although the firm worked to standardize the software stack almost immediately, even before its first release. Despite standardization efforts, developers, particularly those in open source and open source communities, expressed concern about the selected terms and perspectives of any free and open source implementation, especially with respect to patents software. Since then, Microsoft has changed the development of .NET to more closely follow a contemporary model of a software project developed by the community, including the publication of an update of its promising patent to address concerns.
The .NET Framework led to a family of .NET platforms targeting mobile computing, embedded devices, alternative operating systems, and add-ons for web browsers. A reduced version of the framework, .NET Compact Framework, is available on Windows CE platforms, including Windows Mobile devices such as smartphones. .NET Micro Framework is intended for embedded devices with limited resources. Silver-light was available as a web browser add-on. Mono is available for many operating systems and is customized on popular smartphone operating systems (Android and iOS) and game engines. .NET Core targets the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and cloud computing and cross-platform workloads.