.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.

To support this variety, the .NET Framework includes a broad set of supporting class libraries, including: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), for visually stunning user experiences on Windows clients; Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), enabling fast and flexible communications among applications across your enterprise; Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), allowing developers to build workflows into any application; ASP.NET, for high-performance and interactive Web-based applications; Libraries for handling XML, data, IO, cryptography, text-to-speech, and more.

Featured Resources

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 Mon, 12 May 2008 10:06:52 -0700

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. Microsoft Mon, 12 May 2008 10:06:51 -0700

• .NET Framework 3.5 Runtime Now Available
  MicrosoftMon, 19 Nov 2007 18:12:33 -0800
• Subscribers: Get Visual Studio 2008 RTM Now
  MicrosoftMon, 19 Nov 2007 18:09:51 -0800
• Build a Queued WCF Response Service
  Juval LowyFri, 19 Jan 2007 23:44:01 +0000

This Week's Featured "How Do I?" Videos for Devices Get videos designed for all .NET Compact Framework developers, from the novice to the professional. How Do I: Create a Form Based Splash Screen Inside my .NET Compact Framework Application? Tue, 13 May 2008 09:30:00 -0700 How Do I: Use NETCFCFG to Run My Application Against a Specific Version of the .NET Compact Framework? Thu, 8 May 2008 14:47:23 -0700