.NET Framework Overview

• Console Applications
• Windows Forms Applications
• Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Applications
• Web Applications
• Web Services
• Windows Services
• Services-oriented applications using Windows Communications Foundation (WCF)
• Workflow-enabled applications using Windows Workflow Foundation(WF)

That primarily runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Figure 1

Visual Overview of .NET Framework

Compiling a .NET program

• The exe file that is created doesn't contain executable code, rather it's Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) code.
• When you run the EXE, a special runtime environment (the Common Language Runtime or CLR) is launched and the IL instructions are executed by the CLR to the machine language.
• The CLR comes up with a Just In Time Compiler that translates the IL to native language the first it is encountered.

1. We write a program in C#, VB.Net, and other languages.
2. We compile our code to IL code based on the language compiler (csc.exe, vbc.exe, and so on).
3. Run your IL program that launches the CLR to execute your IL, using its JIT to translate your program into native code as it executes.

Framework Component

• It's an Integrated Development Environment and Rapid Application Development (drag and drop rather than using a text editor) to develop computer programs for Microsoft Windows, as well as web sites, web applications, and web services. Visual Studio uses Microsoft software development platforms such as Windows API, Windows Forms, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Store, and Microsoft Silverlight. It can produce both native codes and managed code.
• Not needed in a production environment.
• Can be used in any type of .NET application.

Core of .NET Framework

• Application Services
• .NET Framework Base class Libraries
• Common Language Runtime
• Garbage Collector
• Common Type System
• Common Language Specification