Introduction to .NET Framework 3.5

Welcome to the official Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) documentation for the .NET Framework 3.5. This version represents a significant evolution in the .NET platform, building upon the strengths of its predecessors while introducing powerful new capabilities for building a wide range of applications. Whether you are developing desktop applications, web services, or rich interactive experiences, .NET Framework 3.5 provides the tools and infrastructure you need.

.NET Framework 3.5 is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It is the successor to .NET Framework 3.0 and a precursor to .NET Framework 4. It is a highly scalable and robust platform for building and deploying a new generation of applications that can take advantage of the rich functionality of Windows operating systems.

Why .NET Framework 3.5?

This framework offers a comprehensive and consistent programming model for building Windows client and server applications. Key benefits include:

  • Productivity: A vast class library and language support streamline development.
  • Performance: Optimizations for speed and efficiency.
  • Security: Robust security features to protect applications and data.
  • Interoperability: Seamless integration with existing code and systems.
  • New Technologies: Built-in support for LINQ, ADO.NET Entity Framework, and more.

Key New Features

.NET Framework 3.5 introduces several groundbreaking features, significantly enhancing developer capabilities:

  • Language Integrated Query (LINQ): A unified query syntax for data access across various data sources like collections, databases, and XML.
  • ADO.NET Entity Framework: An Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework that enables developers to work with data as objects.
  • ASP.NET AJAX: Enhanced support for building rich, interactive, and dynamic web applications with partial-page updates.
  • Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Enhancements: Improved support for RESTful services and interoperability.
  • Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Enhancements: New controls and features for creating visually rich user interfaces.

Core Components

The .NET Framework 3.5 is composed of several key technologies:

  • Common Language Runtime (CLR): Manages the execution of .NET code.
  • .NET Base Class Library (BCL): A comprehensive library of pre-built classes and types.
  • Windows Forms: For building rich Windows client applications.
  • Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF): For building visually stunning and interactive user interfaces.
  • Windows Communication Foundation (WCF): For building service-oriented applications.
  • Windows Workflow Foundation (WF): For building and managing workflows.
  • LINQ, ADO.NET Entity Framework, ASP.NET AJAX.

Getting Started

To begin developing with .NET Framework 3.5, you will need:

  • Visual Studio: We recommend Visual Studio 2008 or later for the best development experience.
  • .NET Framework 3.5 SDK: Includes compilers, tools, and libraries.
  • Download: You can download the latest redistributable package from the Microsoft Download Center.

Explore the following sections to dive deeper into specific technologies and discover how .NET Framework 3.5 can empower your development efforts.

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