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. 5 FEATURES OF .NET
NET is the framework for which we develop applications. It sits in between our
programs and
application
operating system. Applications developed for .NET run inside NET and are
controlled by NET. It
supports both Windows and web applications.
NET provides an
object oriented environment. It ensures safe execution of the
code by
performing required runtime validations. For example, it is never
array outside the boundary. Similarly, it is not
possible to acceess an element of an
area. The runtime
possible to a program to write into another programs
validations performed by .NET makes the entire environment robust.
Talking about the principal design features of .NET
provides developers with the freedom of framework, one of its main features is that it
using similar skill set to develop different types of
application which can be used across various computer
the types of devices as well as environments. The next
principal design feature of Microsoft NET of
systems which run on Microsoft windows framework is that it is used on those
operating computers
coded solutions systems.
presented for simple programming issues and a
There is a huge
library consisting of
execution of those virtual machine to direct the
programs which were written specially for the
It is framework.
important
used by all the
to note down
regarding the features of NET
the summary of programming languages which are supported by framework
NET
is that its
library can be
Microsoft .NET framework features, facilitates. Presented below is
which will
help you gain better
1Language Interoperability (Gom understanding:
u muutplu LoAIa
Language interoperability means code ritten a in
there is an access
provided to COM components in thelanguage can be used
System. In other
by other languages and
code, to interact with code, which is WTitten wordsJthis is the ability of
using a arerent
programming larhguage. Language
 INTRO
aperability can help to maximize code reusability and, 11
therefore,
evelopment process. This can be achieved because all NET code improve the efficiency of the
sly. 1age (L) whether you are developing in CH, VB.NET, is
compiled to Intermediate
ans it is possible to build applications with modules written J#NET any other NET
or

in different
language. This
the application is compiled it will all be languages, because when
compiled to a common language, IL. This means class
written in one language can inherit from a class written in
another language,
a

tions with all a method of another class written in another

.NET
an object can
or
directly
language.
embedded
ailable on 2. Common Language Runtime
nally, the It is actually a virtual machine
component of the NET framework. All the
programs run under
the direction of the CLR, thus
ensuring some specific properties and behaviours in the areas of

mework memory management, security, and exception handling.

ncluded The Common Language Runtime consists of
components that
Loads the IL code of a
program into the runtime,
»rk 4.5.2 Compile the IL code into native code,
Execute and manage the code,
Enforce security and type safety, and provide thread support and other useful services.
The code that runs within the CLR is called as managed code, whereas the code that runs outside
ation the CLR is unmanaged code. The CLR also provides Interoperability layer, which allows both
called
1 are the managed and unmanaged code to interoperate with each other.
It works as a layer between Operating Systems and the applications written in Net languages
that conforms to the Common Language Specification (CLS). The main function of Common
by
f an Language Runtime (CLR) is to convert the Managed Code into native code and then execute the
Program. The Managed Code compiled only when it needed, that is it converts the appropriate
ams
instructions when each function is called. The Common Language Runtime (CLR)'s Just In Time (IT)

at it
compilation converts Intermediate Language (MSIL) to native code on demand at application run
time.
iter
of
3.Language Independence
ers ano1120e ndenØndonco ma oe 11C0 nf tho nouror of 7ar OL CLoco nlatform t meanns
 that conforms to the Common Language Specification (CLS). The main function of Common
Language Runtime (CLR) is to convert the Managed Code into native code and then execute the
Program. The Managed Code compiled only when it needed, that is it converts the appropriate
In Time JIT)
instructions when each function is called. The Common Language Runtime (CLR)'s Just
at application run
converts lntermediate Language (MSIL) to native code o n demand
compilation
time.

3. Language Independence
in one platform. It means
Language Independence makes use of the power of various languages
the language supported by .NET
programmer's can develop their applications in any of
such as Microsoft Visual C#,
framework..NET framework supports various programming languages
C++.NET.
Microsoft Visual Basic.NET, Microsoft Visual J#.NET and Microsoft Visual
After the code of all these
languages converted into Common Intermediate
Compilation source

anguage (CIL) that enhances Language Independence.

4. Base Class Library

The Base Class Library (BCL) is a library of functionality available to all languages using the
NET Framework. The BCL provides classes that encapsulate a number of common functions,
including file reading and writing, graphic rendering, database interaction, XML document
manipulation.

|Center:
Center/End(n
 Globalization Resources LImaging

Fig. 1.3: Base Class Library

5.Automatic memory management(Garbage Collection

While developing applications developers had to develop an eye on system resources .

NET takes this

ke
memory. Memory leaks major in failure of applications.
reason worry aw
were
from developer by handling memory on its own. The garbage collector takes care of freeing unusad away
sed
objects at aPpropriate intervals.

major feature of NET framework CLR is that the runtime automatically handles the allocation
A
and release of an object's memory resources. Automatic memory management ernhances code quality
and developer productivity performance. The
without negatively impacting expressiveness or

Garbage Collector (GC) is responsible for collecting the objects no longer referenced by he
application. The GC may automatically be invoked by the CLR or the application may explicitly
ke the GC by calling it. Objects are not released from
menmory until the GC is invoked.
6. Security
Windows platform was always criticized for
poor security mechanisms. Microsoft has taken great
efforts to make NET platform safe and secure for
enterprise applications. Features such as type
safety, code access security, and role based authentication make overall
secure. application more robust and

7. Easy Development of Web Applications

With the help of ASP.NET available on .NET, It become easy to
develop web applications and
 TO .NET FRAMEWORK
NTRODUCTION 13
web services.ASP.
NET provides an event driven prOgramming nodel that simplify development of
web pages with complex user interface.ASlP'.NET server controls provide vanced user interface
n t s such as calendar and grids that save lot of coding from programmer's side.

8. Type Safety
During program execution, the type checker ensures that all objects and values, and the
references to those objects and values, have a valid type. For example, the type checker ensures that
only an integer value is assigned to an integer variable. The type checker also ensures that only valid
operations are performed on the objects or values. For Example, the type checker ensures that only

addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication are performed on an integer value.

9. Managed Mutithreading Support

The NET
Applications running in the CLR can utilize the managed multithreading support.
called application
Framework allows a single process to be divided into one or more sub processes
threads. The runtime monitors all the
domains. Each application domain can contain one or more
careful programming.
threads that have executed code within its process. Multithreading requires
For most tasks, you can reduce complexity by queuing requests
for execution by thread pool threads.

10. Multi-Device Support

mobiles
mobile and wireless devices such as PDAs,
Modern life style is increasingly embracing
for programming such devices. NET Compact
and handheld PCs.NET provides promising platform
are step ahead in this
direction.
Framework and Mobile Internet Toolkit

ke 11. Side by Side Execution

versions of an application on a system by
ay The NET Framework allows you to deploy multiple Framework. An assembly
d Assemblies are the deployment
units in the .NET
using assemblies. of the
metadata contains information such as the version
contains the IL code and.metadata.
The
Runtime uses the versior
depends. The Common Language
other assemblies on which the assembly and enables you to execut
infermation in the metadata to determine application dependencies
 10. Mut-Device Support POOL as.

Modern life style is

increasingly embracing mobile and wireless devices
and handheld PCs.NET provides such PDAs, mobiles
Framework and Mobile promising platform for programming such
Internet Toolkit
as

devices. NET Compact

are
step ahead in this direction.
11. Side by Side Execution
The NET Framework allows
you to
using assemblies. Assemblies are the deploy multiple versions of an application on a system by
contains the IL code and.metadata. deployment units in the NET Framework. An assembly
The metadata contains
other assemblies on which the information such as the version of the
assembly
information in the metadata to determine depends. The Common Language Runtime uses the version
multiple versions of an application dependencies and enables you to execute
application side-by-side.
In-process side-by-side hosting enables an application toload and activate
the common multiple versions of
language runtime (CLR) in the same process. For example, you can run
are based on the .NET
Framework 2.0 SP1 and applications that
the same process. Older applications that are based on .NET Framework 4.0 in
components continue to use the same CLR version, and new
the new CLR version. components use

12. Common Type System

This
provides the
necessary data types, value and object
applications in different types, which you need to develop
languages.
Visual Basic NET is the same as a
All the NET
languages share CTS. This implies that a String in
have access to the same
String in Visual C# or in Visual
C++ NET. All the NET languages
class libraries. In addition, all
Superior language in NET ie. Visual Basic .NET is languages are equally powerful. There is no
as
powerful as Visual C# or Visual C++ NEL.
 14 INTRODUCTION To.

SParallel Computing (exur Sevesioul sO s0A) FRAMEWO INTRODL

1or
eNE Framework 4.0 introduces a new programming
model
writing multi
asynchronous code that greatly simplifies the work of application and library develo de Ther

model enables and scalable parallel code in The

without havingdevelopers
to write efficient, fine-grained,
to work directly with threads or the thread pool. The new Parallel an ra
and lask allel
and other related types, support this new model. Paralel LiNe LINO), which cla
implementation of LINQ to Objects, enables similar functionality through declarative synta
ntax. Pr
14.Dynamic Language Runtime
The dynamic language runtime (DLR) is a new runtime environment that adds a set
ofs
for dynamic languages to the CLR. The DLR makes it easier to develop dynamiclanguages
.

the .NET Framework and to

add dynamic features to statically typed languages. To
the
support #h
new System.Dynamic namespace is added to the .NET Framework. ln
addition, Sever
classes that support the NET Framework infrastructure are
added to
System.Runtime.CompilerServices namespace.
15. Distributed Architecture
Today's distributed applications are much different than those
Microsoft we will see in
certainly believes this; they say they are the fuhi
Web services. the betting company onthe concept of
distribute
For example, today when a user is
working with one remote
interacting with a portal site, it appears to them
server. Most of us know that is that they ae
any significantsize. There are various servers and normally not the case, at least
for a site o:
information onseveral remote sites, applications behind the scenes are
merging it all into an combining it with information accessing
these types of integrated product that is delivered
from their user database and
information has applications are, they are all
to the user
via their browser. As usehul as
developed different
very complex
interfaces to access
to
develop and maintain. Each provider ot
redundant
development
great deal of activity
is
grossly inefficient and for the data and processes on their servers. Ihs
discussed earlier, thesearound three standards to
are used in
most part
streamline the process:fairly boring, so there has ben
and Sun. .NET and also in XML, SOAP, and UDDLAS
competing, less well known N
initiatives trom
1.6 ARCHITECTURE QF NET FRAT