.NET Documentation

What is .NET?

.NET is a free, cross-platform, open-source developer platform for building many different types of applications. With .NET, you can use C#, F#, or Visual Basic to create applications that run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and more.

It's a unified platform that includes:

• A runtime environment (CLR) that manages code execution.
• A vast set of libraries (BCL) for common tasks like input/output, networking, and data manipulation.
• Tools for building, debugging, and deploying applications.
• Support for multiple programming languages, with C# being the primary one.

Key Features

• Cross-Platform: Develop and deploy applications on a wide range of operating systems.
• Open-Source: A vibrant community contributes to the ongoing development and improvement of the platform.
• High Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency, suitable for demanding applications.
• Modern Language Support: Leverage powerful features of C# and other .NET languages.
• Extensive Ecosystem: Access a rich set of libraries, frameworks, and tools for various development needs.

Getting Started with .NET

To start building .NET applications, you'll need to install the .NET SDK. This includes the .NET runtime and the command-line interface (CLI) tools.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official .NET download page.
2. Download and install the latest .NET SDK for your operating system.
3. Open your terminal or command prompt.
4. Verify the installation by running: dotnet --version
5. Create your first application: dotnet new console -o MyFirstApp
6. Navigate into the project directory: cd MyFirstApp
7. Run your application: dotnet run

Example: "Hello, World!" in C#

Here's a simple C# console application:

using System;

namespace HelloWorld
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
        }
    }
}