C# .NET Framework For Beginners

To understand C# or any .NET language you should have a basic understanding of .NET Framework.

What is .NET Framework?

.NET Framework is a software development framework created by Microsoft for building, deploying and running the applications and services on windows based operating systems. All .NET languages like C#, VB.NET, J#, Visual C++ etc. run on top of .NET Framework.

What it consists of?

It consists of an extensive library of interfaces, classes and value types that provide access to the system level functionality. This library is the foundation on which .NET Framework applications, components and controls are built.

	The executable code and run time environment of .NET Framework is defined by the Common Language Specification (CLS).

Important features of .NET Framework

• Interoperability: Interact with any Application.

  Applications developed on .NET Framework can interact with applications developed in other technologies.

• Portability: Compatible with third party applications.

  Third party applications can create compatible implementations of the framework and and its languages on other platforms.

• Common Language Runtime: Manages application execution.

  Execution of .NET applications is taken care by the Common language runtime (CLR). This includes Security, Memory management and Exception Handling.

• Base Class Library: Library providing common functionalities.

  It is a library of classes providing common functionalities like File I/O, graphics, database interaction and other system level functionalities that any .NET program can use.

• Language Independence: Develop application in any .NET language.

  .NET Framework implements Common Type System (CTS) which defines all possible datatypes and how they can interact with each other as per the common language Infrastructure Specification (CLI). Hence, programs written in different .NET languages can exchange types and objects with the library easily.

• Ease of deployment: Easily deploy using tools and features.

  .NET Framework provides tools and features to easily deploy applications as per the security requirements and without impacting the previously installed applications.

• Security: All security concerns taken care of by Framework.

  .NET Framework provides a common security model to all applications. As per this model digital code verification, type safety, buffer overflow, role based security, strong names, assembly level security, cryptography and encryption classes are provided.