A glance at .NET Framework 3.0

Introduction

In the programming field, .NET is the most successful development platform..Net Framework 2.0 is enough to satisfy for most of us. .NET Framework 3.0 came with many new and useable features. With .NET Framework 3.0, developers feel more easy when develops. In the new version of .NET, there is nothing new with CLR (Common Language runtime) but it introduces four new technologies. Are we not apprehensive about accepting anything newer, especially if that is going to deprecate the existing one? The latest versions of .NET are .NET Framework 3.0. Programming with .NET Framework 3.0 become more advance. It is built with all the advantage of .NET framework 2.0, and is all set to bring in a paradigm shift in the way we write our applications today. When we go to develop any application then the main goal we set is, to create the Best application in least amount of time. The .NET Framework 3.0 will still ship with Windows Vista, and will be available down-level for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 as planned.This newly released framework was earlier named as WinFx! .NET Framework 3.0 , compromise of familiar .NET Framework2.0 components (ASP.NET, ADO.NET, Window Forms etc).There are four new technologies in .NET Framework 3.0. These technologies are added to face the new challenge of software development. These new complementary technologies are added to address some of the most arduous challenges of contemporary software development.

The New in .NET Framework 3.0

Here .NET Framework 3.0 is same like as .NET Framework 2.0, but with some new technology and feature. The entire features are same in new framework, which was in .NET Framework 2.0.

The .NET 3.0 introducing four new foundation technologies:

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF)
Windows Card Space (WCS)

While the .NET Framework 2.0 class library is partially superseded by the new components (WF, WCF, and WPF) added in version 3.0, many portions of the original class library are still crucial to developers. The technologies of version 2.0 (ASP.NET, WinForms, ADO.NET, XML etc.) largely remain the elementary part of the new release; however, the developer of .NET Framework 3.0, mostly use WPF over windows Forms.

Figure 1: NET Framework 3.0

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF):

Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF) is a Microsoft technology for defining, executing, and managing workflows. Workflow as it name implies. It shows the flow of work; mean how the work is going, how activities are performing. WF provides such a common workflow technology for Windows. If we have to make workflow enabled application on windows then we use Windows Workflow Foundation.

System.Workflow is the namespace of Windows Workflow Foundation in Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.0. Windows Workflow Foundation provides full support for Visual Basic .NET and C#, debugging, a graphical workflow designer and the ability to develop our workflow completely in code. A workflow is a set of activities stored as a model that describe a real world process. Each Activity can be represented as a class. By using this we can reuse that activity easily. With WF, we can understand with our flow of operation. We can easily understand with our all activity.

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF):

The Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), also named Avalon, is the graphical subsystem feature of the .NET Framework 3.0. WPF is a consistent programming model for building solutions, and enables the use of richer controls, design, and development in Windows programs. In most windows application user interface play an important role .A developer needs to use Windows Forms to build a Windows GUI, or HTML/ASPX/Applets/JavaScript etc. Developer's job become tough here when he go to, building a coherent user interface for different kinds of clients using diverse technologies isn't a simple job. WPF provide consistent platform for these entire user interface aspects to solve the problem. WPF support video, animation, 2/3D graphics, and various kinds of documents.

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF):

WCF means programmers can communicate between each other either they are on same computer or in networking .Windows Communication Foundation is a communications infrastructure built around the Web services architecture. When the application becomes built then most of the application need to communication between each other. This was a big problem in last few years, so all vendors becomes agreed to support SOAP based web services, which make interoperability between application, either they are from same platforms or different platforms. The WCF programming model unifies web services, .NET Remoting, distributed transactions, and message queues into a single service-oriented programming model for distributed computing. However, instead of requiring developers to use a different technology with a different application programming interface for each kind of communication, WCF provides a common approach and API. WCF provides strong support for interoperable communication through SOAP.

Windows CardSpace (WCS):

Windows CardSpace (InfoCard) is a Digital Identity to online services. Digital Identity means how user will electronically represent them. Like as a debit/credit card each card has digital identity and password. If any user go to use the site on internet then he enter their username and password, for identity, but this is not secure. To reduce these types of problems WCS works. WCS (originally called Info Card) helps people keep track of their digital identities as distinct information cards. If a Web site accepts WCS logins, users attempting to log in to that site will see a WCS selection. By choosing a card, users also choose a digital identity that will be used to access this site. CardSpace and the new supporting technologies will change how you authenticate into an application, whether it sits on the Web, your phone, or your desktop.