What is .Net Framework?

The Microsoft .Net Framework is a platform that provides tools and technologies for develop powerful Web Applications, Windows Application.

The main two components of .Net Framework are:

• CLR – Common Language Runtime
• BCL – Base Class Library OR .net Framework Class Library (FCL)

.Net Framework Diagram

CLR – Common Language Runtime

• CLR is the Foundation of the .NET Framework.
• CLR is the Heart of the .NET Framework.
• The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is an Execution Environment.
• The main function of Common Language Runtime (CLR) is to convert the Managed Code into Native code and then execute the Program.
• The Common Language Runtime (CLR) uses Just In Time (JIT) compiler to converts Intermediate Language (MSIL) to Native code/ Machine code.

Functionality of CLR

• Memory management
• Thread management
• Security management
• Garbage Collection (GC)
• Runs the code on different platform

FCL – .Net Framework Class Library

FCL or BCL provide the fundamental building blocks for any application you develop, Web application or Windows application.
The .NET framework provides a set of base class libraries which provide functions and features which can be used with any programming language which implements .NET, such as Visual Basic, C# (or course), Visual C++, etc.

Framework Class Library Namespace

• System.Data – Is the namespace for ADO.NET
• System.IO – Provides connection to file system and the reading and writing data.
• System.Net – Provides access to network protocols such as SSL, HTTP, SMTP and FTP
• System.Text – Provides the String Builder class, String Function
• System.Drawing – Provide graphics support

We hope that this asp.net post helped you to understand about .Net Framework.

Next, We will learn about different .Net Framework versions.