The .NET framework is a software development platform created by Microsoft. It was developed to create software applications that will operate on Windows. In other words, we can say it is a virtual machine for compiling and executing programs written in several programming languages such as C#, VB.NET, etc.
Before going deep into .net frameworks, let’s look at the stats about the .net framework:
- According to a survey performed in early 2019, Around 37.4 percent of respondents use .NET (statista)
- According to the Stack Overflow survey of 2021, ASP.NET Core & ASP.NET are the most popular web frameworks.
- Around 11% of 1 million websites in the world are made using the .Net framework. (Builtwith)
Hence, it is quite clear that .NET is in demand and this demand is going to further increase with time. Obviously, the requirement for .net development services is going to grow in the future.
Now, let’s go ahead with the introduction, architecture, components and release history of the .net framework.
Also, this blog post aims to answer the following questions:
- Which .NET framework should I use in the development of the application for my business?
- What is the benefit of using a .NET framework?
- How would it help me if I choose .NET development services for creating my web application?
Table of Contents
Introduction and Architecture of .net Framework
.Net framework is used to create Form-based and web-based applications. Moreover, it can be used to develop web services.
Look at the image given below to see the basic architecture of the .net framework. It consists of languages, libraries, and runtime.
Components of .net Framework
Common Language Runtime
It is the basic and virtual machine component of the .NET framework. A runtime environment is responsible for running code and providing services such as remoting, type safety, memory management, robustness and thread management.
The CLR is responsible for loading programs into memory, executing them on the CPU, and managing their execution state.
Hence, it is accountable for managing the execution of .NET programs regardless of any .NET programming languages. It provides services that are crucial for running any app, such as memory management, thread management and exception handling.
Furthermore, it acts as a support to the management of the code. The code which targets the runtime is known as the Managed code and the code that does not target the runtime is known as unmanaged code.
Framework Class Library
The .NET Framework Class Library includes a number of libraries that provide functionality for various aspects of software development, such as data access, user interface, web application development, and cloud computing.
It is the collection of reusable, object-oriented libraries and procedures that can be integrated with Common Language Runtime. It is quite similar to header files in C/C++ and packages in Java.
Installing the .NET framework implies the installation of CLR and FCL into the system. When Operating system architecture and CPU architecture are combined, it becomes a platform. A .NET application is platform-dependent. It means that it will run on a particular platform only.
A .NET application can become platform-independent only when the Mono framework is used instead of the .NET framework. With the mono framework, .NET applications can easily operate on any operating system including windows.
Release history of .net framework and its compatibility with the various windows version 
Either go for the .NET version 4.7.2 or wait for .NET 5 which is going to arrive soon.
There are several factors that support the usage of the latest version of .NET. Let’s look at all of these to get a deep insight:
Easy to use
.Net is quite easy to use. It can quickly integrate with various databases. And it has a large number of tools and libraries which makes it more convenient to work with .Net platform.
Enhanced security
For any scalable software application, security plays a crucial and uncompromised role. It cannot be compromised in any situation. .Net has several features such as code checks, character validations, encryptions and code access security. With the help of these features, .net offers highly secure software applications.
High Compatibility
Compatibility is a crucial requirement of any enterprise application. Software application development with .net framework results in various applications that can run on different devices in a seamless fashion.
Cross-platform and device compatibility, toll improvisations and modularization make sure that .net framework applications are highly compatible with a number of devices.
Easy to Maintain
.Net Framework basically works on the object-oriented programming which avoids unnecessary codes and involves less coding for the developers. It has a reusable code and components. Moreover, it is quite easy to make any changes to the entire program with the help of this .net framework.
Scalability
.Net was essentially created to scale with the overall requirements of the programs. It is quite simple to scale .net programs across horizontal and vertical sides to fulfill the ever-expanding demands of the business.
With the help of application extensions involved, you need not reinvest in the software with the growth of the business.
Conclusion
Hence, the latest version of .NET (Version 4.7.2) is the most suitable and feature added .net framework. One must use this .net framework for software application development. With .NET, you get scalability, compatibility and enhanced security. Thus, choosing .net development would be quite helpful.
There are various software development companies that create applications using the .net framework. One can contact them in order to turn his/her dream into reality.
