Welcome to the World of .NET
.NET is a free, cross-platform, open-source framework for building many different types of applications. On Windows, .NET has a rich history and continues to be a primary platform for developing robust, high-performance applications, from web services to desktop applications and beyond.
What is .NET?
.NET provides a comprehensive set of libraries, tools, and runtimes to help you build and deploy applications efficiently. It supports multiple programming languages, with C# being the most popular.
- Cross-Platform: While this page focuses on Windows, .NET runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Open-Source: Driven by a vibrant community.
- Performance: Engineered for speed and scalability.
Why .NET on Windows?
Windows remains a cornerstone for enterprise development. .NET leverages Windows-specific features and integrates seamlessly with the operating system, offering unparalleled tooling and deployment options.
- Rich Ecosystem: Access to a vast array of Windows libraries and APIs.
- Developer Tools: Visual Studio provides a world-class IDE experience.
- Deployment: Easy deployment to on-premises servers and Azure.
Getting Started
Ready to build your first .NET application on Windows? Here’s how you can begin your journey.
- Install .NET SDK: Download the latest SDK from the official .NET website.
- Choose Your IDE: Visual Studio Community Edition is free and excellent for Windows development.
- Explore Examples: Find tutorials and sample code to kickstart your projects.