What is .Net ?

What is .Net 

.Net is a software development platform developed by Microsoft. It is developed by microsoft to compete Java in the market. Using .net there is no need to learn new programming language. It supports 48 programming languages like as C, C++, C#, J#, VB etc. Hence we can do programming in any programming language in which you feel comfortable to yourself. Infact .Net is a collection of :

1. .Net products :

   Visual Studio 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012
   

2. .Net Service :

   Webservices, Window comunication foundation (WCF), Web API
   

3. .Net framework :

   Integrated development environment (IDE), Software development kit (SDK)
   

.Net versions released

1. 1.0 released on 13 feb 2002.
   
2. 1.1 released in apr 2003.
   
3. 2.0 released on 7 nov 2005.
   
4. 3.0 released on 6 nov 2006.
   
5. 3.5 released on 19 nov 2007.
   
6. 4.0 released on 12 apr 2010.
   
7. 4.5 released on 15 aug 2012.
   

Platform support

1. .Net framework runs on Window Xp, Window 2000, NT4, ME/98, SP6a, Vista, Window 7 & 8, Window Server 2003, 2008 & 2012
   
2. Window 95 is not supported.
   
3. Window 98/ME can't be used for development.
   

.Net Framework

.Net framework is a tool of .Net platform for building, deploying and running webservices, web applications and window applications. Mazor elements of .Net framework are CLR (common language runtime), FCL(framework class library), webservices, window & webforms/applications.

Features of .Net framework

1. It is a layer between operating system(OS) and programming language.
   
2. It supports many programming languages.
   
3. .Net provides a common set of class library which can be accessed from any .Net based programming language.