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Getting Started with .NET

Welcome to the .NET ecosystem! .NET is a free, cross-platform, open-source developer platform for building many different types of applications. With .NET, you can create web apps, services, desktop apps, mobile apps, games, and more.

What is .NET?

.NET is a versatile development platform that includes:

• A Framework: A comprehensive set of class libraries and runtime environments.
• A Language: Primarily C#, a modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language.
• Tools: A rich set of development tools, including the .NET CLI, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code.

Key Concepts

Before diving in, it's helpful to understand some core concepts:

• .NET Runtime (CoreCLR): The execution environment for .NET applications.
• Base Class Library (BCL): A collection of fundamental types and utilities.
• Intermediate Language (IL): The compiled form of your code before Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation.
• Garbage Collection: Automatic memory management.

Your First .NET Application

Let's get you set up with a simple "Hello, World!" console application.

Next Steps

Once you have a basic application running, explore the following to expand your knowledge:

Building Web Applications

Learn to build modern web applications using ASP.NET Core.

Desktop Applications

Discover how to create Windows desktop applications with WPF and WinForms.

Learning Resources

Dive deeper with interactive tutorials, samples, and in-depth guides.

using System;

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