UNIT 01 – INTRODUCTION TO THE .

NET FRAMEWORK
LESSON # 2.1
TITLE: .NET FRAMEWORK

Terminologies
CLR – Common Language Runtime
FLC - .NET Framework Class Library (FCL)
CTS – Common Type System
CLS – Common Language Specification
CIL – Common Intermediate Language
MSIL – Microsoft Intermediate Language
Metadata – information associated with the managed code which describes the data and identifies the
locations of object references.
JIT – Just in Time Compiler
GC – Garbage Collector
VES – Virtual Execution System
GUI – Graphical User Interface
Discussion
.Net is a common development platform that allows programmers to design, build, and manage
applications easily and quickly.

Benefits of using .NET:

- .NET provides a common programming environment.
- .NET implements object-oriented technologies.
- .NET simplifies programming for Windows environment.
- .NET provides enhanced security.
- .NET enhances productivity through the use of standards (e.g. XML & SOAP).
- .NET provides an enhanced Web-based development process.
- .NET simplifies application distribution.

.NET Framework
Its purpose is to create and run next-generation applications and XML (Extensive Markup Language). .NET
Framework plays an important role in making the task of developing applications easier. At the same time, it
ensures that the applications work properly with high level of security.

.NET Framework Structure

.NET Framework is an environment that allows different programming languages & libraries to work together
seamlessly to create Windows-based applications that are easier to build, manage, deploy, and integrate with
other networked systems.
 Applications written in .NET Language
Visual Basic, C++, C#, J#, etc.

.NET Framework

.NET Framework Class Library

Windows Forms classes, Web Forms classes.

Common Language Runtime

Common Type System, Intermediate Language

Operating System
Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP

The .NET Framework consists of two main components: Common Language Runtime (CLR) and the
.NET Framework Class Library (FCL). CLR is the foundation of the .NET Framework. It is the part of
the system that runs and manages .NET code at runtime. The CLR converts the Intermediate
Languages into native code that can be run on the operating system. The .NET Framework Class
Library is a collection of pre-written classes that can be used to create applications to run on the
windows platform or web pages.

Common Language Runtime (CLR)

The CLR is a runtime engine that executes managed code. The managed code is the equivalent set
of machine instruction of the source program that can be executed in the CLR.

.NET Framework Class Library (FCL)

It is a collection of predefined classes, interface, and value types required to create .NET
applications. It is also designed as the foundation from which all .NET Framework applications are
made. The system is the core namespace that contains fundamental classes and base classes used
by every .NET Framework applications.

The Base Class Library is a part of FCL which contains standard classes that can be used by any
.NET Languages. It provides the fundamental building blocks for any application created using any of
the .NET languages.