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, mobile, desktop, gaming, IoT, and cloud applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, .NET provides a robust and versatile framework to bring your ideas to life.

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to begin your .NET development adventure.

Step 1: Installation

The first step is to install the .NET SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK includes the tools necessary to build, test, and deploy .NET applications.

Download the .NET SDK

Visit the official dotnet.microsoft.com/download page. Choose the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) or Current version based on your needs. We recommend LTS for stability.

Download .NET SDK

Install the SDK

Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Verify Installation

Open your terminal or command prompt and run the following command to ensure the SDK is installed correctly:

dotnet --version

You should see the installed .NET version printed to the console.

Step 2: Build Your First .NET App

Let's create a simple "Hello, World!" console application to test your setup.

Create a New Project

Navigate to your desired project directory in the terminal and create a new console application:

dotnet new console -o MyFirstApp

This command creates a new directory named MyFirstApp and generates the necessary project files.

Explore the Code

Change your directory into the new project folder and open the Program.cs file:

cd MyFirstApp
code Program.cs

You'll find code similar to this:

// Program.cs
Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");

Run Your Application

Execute the following command from within the MyFirstApp directory:

dotnet run

You should see the output:

Hello, World!

Congratulations! You've just run your first .NET application.

Next Steps in Your .NET Journey

You've taken the first crucial steps. Now, explore the vast possibilities of .NET:

Web Development: Learn ASP.NET Core for building high-performance, modern web applications and APIs.
Desktop Applications: Discover WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) and WinForms for Windows desktop apps, or .NET MAUI for cross-platform native UI.
Mobile Development: Build native mobile apps for iOS and Android with .NET MAUI.
Cloud Services: Leverage .NET with Azure for scalable cloud solutions.
Game Development: Explore Unity with C# for creating immersive games.

Dive deeper into specific areas by visiting the official .NET documentation and exploring community resources.

Explore .NET Documentation