Welcome to .NET Documentation

The .NET platform is a free, cross-platform, open-source developer platform for building many different types of applications.

What is .NET?

.NET is a versatile framework that allows you to build a wide range of applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more. Whether you're developing web applications, microservices, mobile apps, desktop software, or even IoT devices, .NET provides the tools, libraries, and runtime you need.

Key characteristics of .NET include:

Cross-Platform: Write code once and run it on any operating system.
Open-Source: Developed and maintained by Microsoft and a vibrant community.
High Performance: Engineered for speed and efficiency.
Modern Language Support: Primarily uses C#, but also supports F# and Visual Basic.
Rich Ecosystem: A vast collection of libraries and tools to accelerate development.

Getting Started with .NET

Embarking on your .NET journey is straightforward. The .NET SDK includes everything you need to build and run .NET applications.

Core Components:

.NET SDK

The Software Development Kit (SDK) contains the compilers, libraries, and tools needed to create .NET applications.

.NET Runtime

The .NET Runtime (including the Base Class Library) is required to run .NET applications.

C# Language

A modern, object-oriented language that is the primary language for .NET development.

Your First Application

Let's create a simple "Hello, World!" console application:

dotnet new console -o HelloWorld
cd HelloWorld
dotnet run

This command sequence will create a new console application project, navigate into its directory, and then run it, displaying the output Hello, World!.

Why Choose .NET?

With its robust features, extensive community support, and commitment to innovation, .NET is an excellent choice for developers looking to build scalable, high-performance applications for the modern world.

Explore .NET Further