.NET Framework: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:48, 3 March 2003

Revision as of 20:51, 11 April 2003

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The '''.NET''' initiative is a project by [[Microsoft]] to create a new development [[platform]], focused on network transparency, platform independence, and rapid application development.

== The Strategy ==

.NET is broadly three things.

First, it's a strategic initiative. It's something to energiseenergize and motivate its staff and partners with a vision for the future. It's also something that just might give Microsoft an outside chance to dominate the [[Internet]], the way it does the desktop and the rest of computer devices.

== The Enterprise Infrastructure ==

First, it's a strategic initiative. It's something to energise and motivate its staff and partners with a vision for the future. It's also something that just might give Microsoft an outside chance to dominate the [[Internet]], the way it does the desktop and the rest of computer devices.

SecondlySecond, it's a [[software platform]], which was released in 2002. It presents a language-independent target for software development, with many built-in features including Internet integration and features intended to enhance security. In this respect it largely replaces the former [[component object model]] (COM).

* The [[Common Language Infrastructure]] (CLI,) is a [[virtual machine]] and a standard class library (the [[Common Language Runtime]] which is designed to be independent of both [[programming languages]] and [[operating system]]s). The virtual machine executes the [[Microsoft Intermediate Language]] (MSIL) codeassembly.

Secondly, it's a [[software platform]] which was released in 2002. It presents a language-independent target for software development, with many built-in features including Internet integration and features intended to enhance security. In this respect it largely replaces the former [[component object model]] (COM).

* The [[Common Language Infrastructure]] (CLI) is a [[virtual machine]] and a standard class library (the [[Common Language Runtime]] which is designed to be independent of both [[programming languages]] and [[operating system]]s). The virtual machine executes the [[Microsoft Intermediate Language]] (MSIL) code.

* Access to components written in other languages and the underlying [[Windows]] platform

* [[Web service]]sservices using the [[SOAP|Simple Object Access Protocol]](Simple [[protocol]]Object Access Protocol).

* a new version of [[Microsoft SQL Server]]

== Supporting Products ==

Thirdly, .NET is a collection of development environments including an updated version of [[Visual Studio]].

Third, .NET is a collection of development environments and software packages that are new versions of existing Microsoft products geared toward the .NET platform, including a more advanced Visual Studio.

The CLI is designed to provide support for a family of object-oriented programming languages, sharing a common object model and a large common class library. These include:

== .NET Languages ==

* [[C-sharp programming language|C# programming language]], a C-like [[object-oriented]] language with similarities to [[Sun Microsystems|Sun]]'s [[Java programming language|Java]]

The CLI is designed to provide support for a family of object-oriented programming languages, sharing a common object model and a large common class library., These includeincluding:

* [[Visual Basic .NET]], a modified version of the [[Visual Basic]] programming language

* [[C-sharp programming language|C# programming language|C#]], a C-like [[object-oriented]] language with similaritiessimilar to [[Sun Microsystems|Sun]]'s [[Java programming language|Java]]

* [[Visual Basic .NET]], aan modifiedimproved version of the classic [[Visual Basic]] programming language

* [[Managed C Plus Plus programming language|Managed C++]], a variant of the [[C plus plus|C++]] programming language for the .NET platform

* [[JScript .NET]], a compiled version of Microsoft's [[JScript]], quite similar to [[ECMAScript]]

* ASP.NET, a language specifically designed for building [[web site]]s.

There are a number of compilers created by other companies than Microsoft for this platform, including

* [[Delphi programming language|Delphi 7]] includes a preview [[compiler]] for .NET, but the next release (possibly called Delphi for .NET) will have more complete support for .NET

* [[COBOL]]

* [[COBOL]], [[Perl]], [[Python programming language|Python]], [[Mercury programming language|Mercury]], [[Objective Pascal]].

* [[Perl]]

* [[Python programming language|Python]]

All these environments compile to MSIL.

* [[Mercury programming language|Mercury]]

* [[Objective Pascal]].

== .NET vs. J2EE ==

The CLI, the MSIL and C# are clearly inspired in part by [[Sun Microsystems]]' [[Java Virtual Machine]] and Sun's [[Java programming language|Java]]. Some Java proponents have criticised it as having security compromises for the convenience of integration with existing Microsoft products.

The CLI, the MSIL and C# have similarities to [[Sun Microsystems]]' [[Java Virtual Machine]] and Sun's [[Java programming language|Java]], because they are competitors. Sun’s premiere product, [[Java 2 Enterprise Edition|J2EE]], has been on the market longer, and has strong component structure. . NET is better suited for web service applications, because support is built in. Several publications have commented that most firms probably will use both enterprise infrastructures.

== Standardization and Open Source ==

Microsoft has submitted a part of the specifications of .NET to [[ECMA]] for [[standardization]]. This is a calculated risk - one view is that Microsoft's long term strategy is to [[embrace, extend and extinguish]] the standard as they have done with other standards before. Another is thatbut it is tomay encourage ECMA-compliant implementations (but not full compatibility), to provide an ongoing bridge for non-Windows software to be converted to Microsoft .NET.

An independentopen source implementation of the .NET architecture is beingin worked onprogress. It is mainly targettedtargeted at [[UNIX]] and /[[Linux]] platforms,variants. It has been nameddubbed [[Mono]], developedand development is mainlysponsored by [[Ximian]].

== External Links ==

==References:==

* [http://arstechnica.com/paedia/n/net/net-1.html "Microsoft .Net" Ars Technica article]

* [http://www.go-mono.com/ Mono]