.NET Micro Framework: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:21, 7 September 2019

Revision as of 18:43, 8 September 2019

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| developer = [[Microsoft]] and [[.NET Foundation]]

| released = {{Start date and age|2007}}

| latest release version = 4.4<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/netmfteam/2015/10/20/net-micro-framework-4-4-is-now-available/|title=.NET Micro Framework 4.4 is now available!|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025190513/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/netmfteam/2015/10/20/net-micro-framework-4-4-is-now-available/|archive-date=2017-10-25|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref>

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2015|10|20}}

| latest preview version =

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The Micro Framework aims to make embedded development easier, faster, and less costly by giving embedded developers access to the modern technologies and tools used by desktop application developers. Also, it allows desktop .NET developers to use their skills in [[embedded system]]s, enlarging the pool of qualified embedded developers.

The Micro Framework is part of the [[.NET Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter/issues/537#issuecomment-285744825|title=Is .Net MF being discontinued?|last=Malliet|first=Steve|date=|website=GitHub|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref> Announced at the Build 2014 conference, the foundation was created as an independent forum to foster open development and collaboration around the growing set of open-source technologies for .NET.<ref>[http://www.dotnetfoundation.org/ .NET Foundation]</ref>

==Features==

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* Transparent support for storing objects in non-volatile memory

Due to the constraints under which it operates, the Micro Framework does have some limits beyond those imposed by its slimmed-down libraries. For example, the platform does not support [[symmetric multiprocessing]], multidimensional arrays, machine-dependent types, or unsafe instructions. The CLR is an interpreter rather than a just-in-time compiler, and uses a simpler mark-and-sweep [[Garbage collection (computer science)|garbage collector]] instead of a generational method. An ahead-of-time compiler is being developed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/netmfteam/2015/10/03/llilum-roadmap-and-latest-additions/|title=LLILUM roadmap and latest additions|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=2016-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826141116/https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/netmfteam/2015/10/03/llilum-roadmap-and-latest-additions/|archive-date=2018-08-26|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref> using a modified [[LLVM]] compiler. Interoperation between managed and native code currently has several limitations. As of 2011, Micro Framework supported two .NET languages: C# and Visual Basic.<ref>[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vbteam/archive/2011/06/08/micro-framework-v4-2-support-for-visual-basic.aspx .NET Micro Framework only supports C# and Visual Basic]</ref>

==Support==

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==History==

In November 2009, Microsoft released the source code of the Micro Framework to the development community as [[free and open-source software]] under the Apache License 2.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/port25/2009/11/16/microsoft-to-open-source-the-net-micro-framework/|title=Microsoft to Open Source the .NET Micro Framework|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=2017-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114014924/https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/port25/2009/11/16/microsoft-to-open-source-the-net-micro-framework/|archive-date=2018-11-14|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref>

In January 2010, Microsoft launched the ''netmf.com'' community development site to coordinate ongoing development of the core implementation with the open-source community.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.netmf.com/ |title=netmf.com |access-date=2012-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705113134/http://www.netmf.com/ |archive-date=2012-07-05 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref>

On 9 January 2010, GHI Electronics announced FEZ Domino, the first member of the product line called FEZ (Freakin' Easy!), a combination of [[open-source hardware]] with a proprietary closed-source version of .NET Micro Framework.<ref>

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On 23 January 2017, after numerous attempts (<ref>{{cite web |title=Manifest for .NETMF (the current state and the future we want for it) |url=https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter/issues/491}}</ref> and <ref>{{cite web |title=Future of .NETMF (take #999999) |url=https://github.com/NETMF/netmf-interpreter/issues/527}}</ref>) to revive .NET Microframework project and bring it to community governance and a period of work "in the dark", a group of embedded systems developers publicly announced [https://github.com/nanoframework .NET nanoFramework] as spin-off of .NET Micro Framework.<ref>{{cite web |title=The name’s Framework, nanoFramework |url=https://nanoframework.net/2017/01/23/my-name-is-framework-nanoframework/}}</ref> A major rework on the build system, an easier way of adding new targets, a modernized API following [[Universal Windows Platform|UWP]], a Visual Studio extension with all the tool required for managing targets, full development experience from coding to debugging on the native code and support for ARM Cortex-M and ESP32 where the key differences at that time. On 12 October 2018 the first official release of the class libraries and firmware images was announced.<ref>{{cite web |title=nanoFramework v1.0 is official! |url=https://nanoframework.net/2018/10/12/502/}}</ref>

On 16 December 2016, GHI Electronics announced their own implementation of Micro Framework called TinyCLR OS, citing lack of maintenance of NETMF by Microsoft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24044# |title=Introducing TinyCLR OS: a new path for our NETMF devices |access-date=2017-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728203332/https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24044# |archive-date=2017-07-28 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref> On 7 July 2017 GHI announced 5th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24580# |title=Fifth Preview of TinyCLR OS Core Features and Porting |access-date=2017-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202902/https://www.ghielectronics.com/community/forum/topic?id=24580# |archive-date=2017-07-28 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref> On 2 February 2018 GHI announced 8th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tinyclr.com/tinyclr-os-eighth-release-fez-hydra-wi-fi-and-cortex-m7/# |title=TinyCLR OS Eighth Release: FEZ Hydra, Wi-Fi, and Cortex-M7 |access-date=2018-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309184128/http://www.tinyclr.com/tinyclr-os-eighth-release-fez-hydra-wi-fi-and-cortex-m7/# |archive-date=2018-03-09 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref> On 5 April 2018 GHI announced 10th preview of TinyCLR OS.<ref>[https://forums.ghielectronics.com/t/tinyclr-os-tenth-release-bugs-rtc-and-stm32f7/21327 TinyCLR OS Tenth Release: Bugs, RTC, and STM32F7]</ref>

==Hardware==

Multiple vendors make chips, development kits, and more that run the Micro Framework.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/hardware/default.mspx# |title=Compatible Device Matrix |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223163114/http://www.microsoft.com/netmf/hardware/default.mspx# |archive-date=2010-12-23 |deadurl-url=yes |dfstatus=dead }}</ref>

===Netduino by Wilderness Labs===

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GHI Electronics makes several modules that support the Micro Framework:

* EMX Module<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/18/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320155135/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/18/#|archive-date=2012-03-20|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref>

* ChipworkX Module<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/20/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|publisher=|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204182300/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/20#|archive-date=2012-12-04|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref>

* USBizi144 Chipset<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/116|title=USBizi144 Chipset - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107233556/https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/116#|archive-date=2014-01-07|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref> and USBizi100, whose only difference is the lack of USB host support in the USBizi100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/117|title=USBizi100 Chipset - GHI Electronics|publisher=GHI Electronics, LLC|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107234235/https://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/117#|archive-date=2014-01-07|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref>

GHI Electronics also makes the ''.NET FEZ'' line of very small open-source hardware boards with proprietary firmware, targeted for beginners. They are based on the USBizi chipset and all its features. The FEZ Domino board offers USB host. Even though FEZ is for beginners, it's also a low-cost starting point for professionals wanting to explore NETMF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/7/|title=Catalog - Latest Products - GHI Electronics|publisher=|access-date=2011-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302063709/http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/category/7/#|archive-date=2013-03-02|deadurl-url=yes|dfstatus=dead}}</ref> Some of these boards are physically compatible with the [[Arduino]].

===Mountaineer boards===