Understanding the .NET Framework Platform

Introduction to .NET Framework

.NET – What Is It?

•          Software platform

•          Language neutral

•          In other words:

 .NET is not a language (Runtime and a library for writing and executing written programs in any compliant language)

What Is .NET?

Net is a new framework for developing web-based and windows-based applications within the Microsoft environment.

The .NET Framework is comprised of CLR (Common Language Runtime, a language-neutral development environment) and FCL (Framework Class Libraries, an object-oriented functionality library).

The framework offers a fundamental shift in Microsoft strategy: it moves application development from client-centric to server-centric.

.Net Application

        

.Net Framework

        

Operating System + Hardware

  

Framework, Languages and Tools with Versions.

     

The .Net Framework Service

•          Common Language Runtime

•          Windows^® Forms

•          ASP.NET

–         Web Forms

–         Web Services

•          ADO.NET, evolution of ADO

•          Visual Studio.NET

Common Language Runtime (CLR)

•          CLR works like a virtual machine in executing all languages. 

•          All .NET languages must obey the rules and standards imposed by CLR.

•          Examples:

–         Object declaration, creation and use

–         Data types,language libraries

–         Error and exception handling

–         Interactive Development Environment (IDE)

•          Development

–         Mixed language applications

•          Common Language Specification (CLS)

•          Common Type System (CTS)

•          Standard class framework

•          Automatic memory management

–         Consistent error handling and safer execution

–         Potentially multi-platform

•          Deployment  

–         Removal of registration dependency

–         Safety – fewer versioning problems

Common Language Runtime - Multiple Language Support

•          CTS is a rich type system built into the CLR

–         Implements various types (int, double, etc)

–         And operations on those types

•          CLS is a set of specifications that language and library designers need to follow

–         This will ensure interoperability between languages

  

Compilation in .NET

     •    NET languages are not compiled to machine code.  They are compiled to an Intermediate Language (IL).

•          CLR accepts the IL code and recompiles it to machine code.  The recompilation is just-in-time (JIT) meaning it is done as soon as a function or subroutine is called.

•          The JIT code stays in memory for subsequent calls.  In cases where there is not enough memory it is discarded thus making JIT process interpretive.

Languages:

•          Languages provided by MS

–         VB, C++, C#, J#, JScript

•          Third-parties are building

–         APL, COBOL, Pascal, Eiffel, Haskell, ML, Oberon, Perl, Python, Scheme, Smalltalk…

ASP.NET

•          ASP.NET,the platform services that allow to program Web Applications and Web Services in any .NET language

•          ASP.NET Uses .NET languages to generate HTML pages. HTML page is targeted to the capabilities of the requesting Browser.

ASP.NET “Program” is compiled into a .NET class and cached the first time it is called.  All subsequent calls use the cached version.
•          Logical Evolution of ASP

•          Supports multiple languages

•          Improved performance

•          Control-based, event-driven execution model

•          More productive

•          Cleanly encapsulated functionality

ASP.NET Web Forms

•          Allows clean cut code

–         Code-behind Web Forms

•          Easier for tools to generate

•          Code within is compiled then executed

•          Improved handling of state information

•          Support for ASP.NET server controls

–         Data validation

–         Data bound grids

•          A technical definition

–         “A programmable application component accessible via standard Web protocols”

•          Web Services

•          It is just an application…

•          …that exposes its features and capabilities over the network…

•          …using XML…

•          …to allow for the creation of powerful new applications that are more than the sum of their parts…

ADO.NET (Data and XML)

•          New objects (e.g., DataSets)

•          Separates connected / disconnected issues

•          Language neutral data access

•          Uses same types as CLR

•          Great support for XML

Visual Studio.NET

•          Development tool that contains a rich set of productivity and debugging features

.NET – Hierarchy, Another View