.NET Framework
In computing, .net Framework is a product of Microsoft. It provides fundamental software library and runtime for hosting programmes written in Common Languages. Before, programmers need to compile their programmes for different platforms for end users, thanks to the .net Framework, programmers could use VB.net, C#, F# and Visual C++.net to develop and compile the source codes into the Common Language codes. The Common Language codes could be further compiled just in time by the CLR (Common Language Runtime) to the native machine codes for various platforms to run. In other words, compile once, run anywhere. .Net Framework also provides essential C# compilation tools and preinstalled on many mainstream Windows operating system. And Visual Studio is the main development tool for it.
| Version | CLR | Release date |
Shipped With Visual Studio |
Preinstalled with Windows | Superset of | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client | Server | |||||
| 1.0 | 1.0 | February 13, 2002 | .NET 2002 | — | — | — |
| 1.1 | 1.1 | April 24, 2003 | .NET 2003 | — | 2003 | — |
| 2.0 | 2.0 | November 7, 2005 | 2005 | — | 2003 R2 | — |
| 3.0 | 2.0 | November 6, 2006 | — | Vista | 2008 | 2.0 |
| 3.5 | 2.0 | November 19, 2007 | 2008 | 7 | 2008 R2 | 3.0 |
| 4.0 | 4 | April 12, 2010 | 2010 | — | — | — |
| 4.5 | 4 | August 15, 2012 | 2012 | 8 | 2012 | 4.0 |
| 4.5.1 | 4 | October 17, 2013 | 2013 | 8.1 | 2012 R2 | 4.5 |
| 4.5.2 | 4 | May 5, 2014 | — | — | — | 4.5 |
Notes: the relationship among versions of .net framework is bit more complex, some are purely succeeding but not replacing, some are inclusion at the feature level. Programmers should take much care at which version of .net framework you are programming. For example, most .net framework 1.1 programmes could be run under .net framework 2.0, but unforeseen problems might happen. If you are programming for .net framework 2.0, .net framework 3.5 could make sure your programmes run without problems.