What is managed code and managed data?

In a managed language such as VB.Net, data consists of either objects or values.

Objects are instances of classes - such as strings, arrays, lists and dictionaries. They are stored in an area of memory known as the 'managed heap'. A variable of a class type contains a reference (or pointer) to where an object of that class is stored on the heap.

Values are instances of structures or enums - such as Integer, Double, Boolean and DateTime. If they are local variables or value parameters, they are stored on the stack. Otherwise they are stored on the heap - as fields of classes or elements of arrays etc. A variable of a value type contains the value itself, not a pointer to it.

In contrast managed code is a set of instructions for (amongst other things) manipulating managed data. The source code of a .NET language is first compiled into an intermediate form, known as Common Intermediate Language (or CIL). When the application runs, the CIL is then converted 'on the fly' to native code for the platform concerned. This is known as 'just in time' compilation.

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Vulpes15y ago
In a managed language such as VB.Net, data consists of either objects or values.

Objects are instances of classes - such as strings, arrays, lists and dictionaries. They are stored in an area of memory known as the 'managed heap'. A variable of a class type contains a reference (or pointer) to where an object of that class is stored on the heap.

Values are instances of structures or enums - such as Integer, Double, Boolean and DateTime. If they are local variables or value parameters, they are stored on the stack. Otherwise they are stored on the heap - as fields of classes or elements of arrays etc. A variable of a value type contains the value itself, not a pointer to it.

In contrast managed code is a set of instructions for (amongst other things) manipulating managed data. The source code of a .NET language is first compiled into an intermediate form, known as Common Intermediate Language (or CIL). When the application runs, the CIL is then converted 'on the fly' to native code for the platform concerned. This is known as 'just in time' compilation.
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