Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1

.NET Framework (pronounced dot net) is really a software framework created by Microsoft that runs mainly on Microsoft Windows. It includes a sizable class library called Framework Class Library (FCL) and offers language interoperability (each language are able to use code printed in other languages) across several programming languages. Programs written for .NET Framework execute within a software environment (as contrasted to hardware environment), called Common Language Runtime (CLR), a credit application virtual machine that gives services like security, memory management, and exception handling. FCL and CLR together constitute .NET Framework.

FCL provides program, data access, database connectivity, cryptography, web content management, numeric algorithms, and network communications. Programmers produce software by combining their particular source code with .NET Framework along with libraries. .NET Framework might be used by most new applications designed for the Windows platform. Microsoft also produces a built-in development environment largely for .NET software called Visual Studio.

.NET Framework commenced as a proprietary framework, even though company worked to standardize the program stack right away, before its first release. Despite the standardization efforts, developers – specifically those in the free and open-source software communities—expressed their uneasiness with all the selected terms and also the prospects associated with a free and open-source implementation, especially with regard to software patents. Since then, Microsoft has evolved .NET development to more closely adhere to a contemporary style of a community-developed software project, including issuing an update to its patent that offers to address the concerns.

.NET Framework family comes with two versions for mobile or embedded device use. A reduced version from the framework, .NET Compact Framework, can be obtained on Windows CE platforms, including Windows Mobile devices like smartphones. Additionally, .NET Micro Framework is aimed towards severely resource-constrained devices.