Microsoft .NET Framework

A special platform that developers can use to easily create programs for Windows

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Microsoft .NET Framework

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What is Microsoft .NET Framework

The Microsoft .NET framework better enables developers to create software for Windows.

This is a Framework Class Library that is specifically designed to integrate with developer-created source code. The platform allows developers to more easily develop and integrate new software programs with the Windows operating system. It is intended for use by the majority of new Windows programs and programs that utilize the .NET platform will not run without it. This .NET framework operates side-by-side with older versions of the framework, so programs based on older frameworks will run off of their targeted version of .NET.

Each version of .NET contains improvements designed to enhance functionality for the developers as well as the users of software produced with the platform. This version of the framework adds performance improvements to two of the primary libraries, improved handling of HTML and CSS, improvements for data access and modeling, improvements to ASP.NET, improvements in the Windows Presentation Foundation and several more enhancements.

Since .NET is specifically designed for Windows, you must be running Windows XP SP3 or later on a 32- or 64-bit machine. Recommended processor speed is 1GHz or higher and recommended memory is 512MB of RAM, plus 850MB of space for 32-bit machines and 2GB for 64-bit machines.

To install this .NET package, please ensure that your computer is updated with the latest Service Pack, which is available for free. You will also need Internet Explorer 5.1 or later. Download the package and it will self-install. After .NET is installed, restart your computer, and then you will be able to run programs that require .NET versions equal to or older than this version of the platform.

Pros

Free and easy to install

Low system requirements

Cons

Installation is required in order for some programs to run