Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for the .NET platform. .NET 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 enables developers to create a wide range of applications, including web applications, mobile apps, desktop applications, cloud services, and more. It provides a unified ecosystem for building, testing, and deploying applications efficiently.
Key Features of .NET:
- Cross-Platform: Run your applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Open-Source: Developed and maintained by Microsoft and a vibrant community.
- High Performance: Designed for speed and efficiency.
- Large Ecosystem: Access a vast array of libraries and tools.
- Modern Language Support: Primarily uses C#, but also supports F# and Visual Basic.
Getting Started with .NET
To begin your .NET development journey, you'll need to install the .NET SDK. This includes the compiler, runtime, and essential libraries.
Installing .NET:
Visit the official .NET download page to get the latest SDK for your operating system.
Your First .NET Application:
Once the SDK is installed, you can create a simple "Hello, World!" application from your terminal:
dotnet new console -o HelloWorld
cd HelloWorld
dotnet runCore Components
.NET is built upon several core components that work together to provide a robust development experience:
.NET Runtime (CoreCLR)
The runtime is responsible for managing the execution of your .NET applications. It includes the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler, the garbage collector, and other services.
Base Class Library (BCL)
The BCL provides a rich set of fundamental types, classes, and interfaces that your applications can use. This includes collections, I/O, networking, and more.
C# Language
C# is a modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language that is the primary language for .NET development. It is known for its productivity and flexibility.