.NET Framework

The .NET Framework is Microsoft's managed code programming model for building applications on Windows clients, servers, and mobile or embedded devices. Developers use .NET to build applications of many types: Web applications, server applications, smart client applications, console applications, database applications, and more.

.NET Framework Technologies

Windows Presentation Foundation

The Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation provides the foundation for building applications and high fidelity experiences in Windows Vista, blending together application UI, documents, and media content, while exploiting the full power of your computer.

Windows Presentation Foundation Technology Page

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)

Windows Communication Foundation is a set of .NET technologies for building and running connected systems. It is a new breed of communications infrastructure built around the Web services architecture.

Windows Communication Foundation Technology Page

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF)

Windows Workflow Foundation is the programming model, engine and tools for quickly building workflow enabled applications on Windows. It consists of .NET classes, an in-process workflow engine, and designers for Visual Studio.

Windows Workflow Foundation Technology Page

Windows Forms

Microsoft Windows Forms is the core development platform for building smart client applications. The Windows Forms classes contained in the .NET Framework are designed to be used for GUI development.

Windows Forms Technology Page

ADO.NET

ADO.NET provides consistent access to data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server, as well as data sources exposed through OLE DB and XML. Data-sharing consumer applications can use ADO.NET to connect to these data sources and retrieve, manipulate, and update data.

Data Developer Center

ASP.NET

Microsoft ASP.NET is a set of Web application development technologies that enables programmers to build dynamic Web sites, web applications, and XML Web services.

ASP.NET Developer Center

.NET Compact Framework

The Microsoft .NET Compact Framework is a key part of realizing Microsoft's goal to provide customers with great experiences - any time, any place, and on any device.

.NET Compact Framework Technology Page

Windows CardSpace

Windows CardSpace is a Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.0 component that provides the consistent user experience required by the identity metasystem. It is specifically hardened against tampering and spoofing to protect the end user's digital identities and maintain end-user control.

Windows CardSpace Technology Page

More Technologies

Base Class Libraries
The Base Class Libraries (BCL) provides the fundamental building blocks for any application you develop, be it an ASP.NET application, a Windows Forms application, or a Web Service. The BCL generally serves as your main point of interaction with the runtime.

Common Language Runtime
The .NET Framework provides a run-time environment called the common language runtime, which runs the code and provides services that make the development process easier.

Getting Started with .NET Framework

About .NET Framework

Get the Framework

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Highlights

Download Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack (SP) 1 Beta Today
Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Beta introduces full support for SQL Server 2008, improved performance in the IDE and WPF designers, improved Web development and site deployment, as well as many Team Foundation Server enhancements.

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack (SP) 1 Beta Now Available
Download the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Beta for improved features for both client and Web development. Additionally, SP1 for the .NET Framework introduces the ADO.NET Entity Framework and ADO.NET Data Services.

.NET Framework 3.5 Runtime Now Available
.NET Framework 3.5 builds incrementally on the new features added in .NET Framework 3.0 and is now available as a separate download.

Subscribers: Get Visual Studio 2008 RTM Now
Get it here first! With Visual Studio 2008, you can develop connected, compelling applications for Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system, mobile devices, and the Web.