.NET Development
[This documentation is for preview only, and is subject to change in later releases. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]
This section of the MSDN Library contains documentation for the .NET Framework. If you're new to the .NET Framework, see the overview. You'll also find download instructions, a complete API reference, overviews, step-by-step procedures, and code examples.
We update the latest versions of the .NET Framework documentation on a regular basis with content fixes and enhancements, but we do not maintain older versions. For this reason, we recommend that you use the following links even if you're using an older version of the .NET Framework:
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The pre-release version of the .NET Framework 4.5, which is available with Visual Studio 11 Beta. (See what's new.)
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The version of the .NET Framework that was released with Visual Studio 2010. (See key features and changes.)
You can use the .NET Framework to develop desktop, web, and mobile apps. To read about creating Windows Metro style apps in Windows 8 Consumer Preview, see the Windows Dev Center. For additional information about developing apps, visit the Windows development and web development sections of the MSDN Library. You can use Visual Studio for your development tasks and select from a wide range of programming languages.
You can extend the capabilities of your apps with the following .NET Framework technologies:
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A cross-browser, cross-platform implementation of the .NET Framework for building media experiences and rich interactive apps for the web, desktop, and phone. (See what’s new.)
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A technology that enables you to create services that use the Open Data Protocol (OData), which exposes and consumes data over the web or intranet by using the semantics of representational state transfer (REST).
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A technology that is built on top of ADO.NET Entity Framework 4, which is included in the .NET Framework 4. The Entity Framework 4.1 introduces a new productivity API and enables Code First development. Code First enables you to define your model by using managed C# or Visual Basic classes, configure the model, and generate a database schema from your model or map it to an existing database.
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A library for composing asynchronous and event-based programs for the .NET Framework, Silverlight, and Windows Phone 7 by using observable sequences and LINQ-style query operators.
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A development platform that helps you create interactive Microsoft Surface apps by using the .NET Framework. This technology supports high-end graphics and multiuser interaction through natural gestures, touch, and physical objects.
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A set of .NET Framework classes that help you build claims-aware, relying party apps and security token services. WIF requires the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1.
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A set of integrated technologies that make it easier to build, scale, and manage web and composite apps that run on Internet Information Services (IIS).
