A framework released by Microsoft in 2002, .NET has been used by countless developers around the world to build thousands of projects, both mobile- and web-based. With a library with plenty of pre-written code, an object-oriented programming (OOP) model, and a wide range of applications — from games to the Internet of Things (IoT) — .NET is the framework of choice for many programmers.
Are you considering using .NET development services to help you create your next product? Here’s what you should know about this important tool.
1. .NET has a huge library
The main feature of the framework is its enormous class library, called the Framework Class Library (FCL). FCL includes a vast collection of libraries with code and features dealing with security, data access, cryptography, algorithms, encryption, and more. This means .NET developers can use pieces of prewritten code to integrate features with their own code, allowing them to execute projects much more quickly.
2. It’s now open source
Originally, .NET was not open source, but that changed in recent years. Free access offers plenty of advantages to .NET development companies and their clients. Businesses can expect lower prices for their projects in general, not just because they don’t have to pay for use of the framework but also because their developers will be able to view previous .NET development projects and modify code for their own use. This also means a faster turnaround time since they’re not starting from scratch — they can integrate prewritten code with their own.
3. Many different companies use .NET
.NET is the framework of choice for small and large companies alike. Some of the top brands that have executed .NET development projects include:
• Accenture
• CHEEZburger
• Dell
• GoDaddy
• Quicken Loans
• Samsung
• Telefonica
There are countless other businesses that have used .NET, too. What does that mean? That .NET is a reliable alternative that enjoys the support of some of the biggest names in different industries.
4. It’s cross-platform
With the release of .NET Core in 2016, the framework could now run on multiple computer platforms, not just Windows. Today, .NET developers can create programs that run on Linux, Mac OS X, and others. This expands opportunities and access to products, including when they’re still in the development phase and require collaboration. It also increases the volume of .NET development uses and applications.
5. Security is a priority
.NET offers a number of strong security features. One of them is code access security (CAS). Through this feature, the framework prevents unauthorized and potentially harmful code from affecting systems running with .NET. It does so by restricting operations from different users’ code, thus safeguarding the system from bugs and other attacks.
This process is executed by Common Language Runtime (CLR), an important feature of .NET. CLR is also responsible for memory management, type-safety, and exception handling.
6. It’s language-neutral
Thanks to its Common Language Infrastructure (CLI), .NET development services can use a wide variety of languages, including ones not developed by Microsoft, to create projects using the framework. CLI essentially offers a platform that accommodates this range of languages. While many .NET developers use C#, which depends on the framework, others can use VB.NET, F#, IronPython, IronRuby, C++, and more.
Still, it’s useful for .NET developers to know C# since the language was originally developed to be compatible with .NET.
7. .NET is currently in version 4.8
.NET has come a long way since its initial development in the late 1990s and the release of version 1.0 in 2002. The current installment is 4.8 and was released in 2019. Microsoft notes that features from previous versions are retained with every release, and new features are continually added.
Along with security, performance, and high-resolution-display improvements, version 4.8 aims to be more accessible, with features like tooltips controlled via the keyboard, rather than just the mouse.
With numerous iterations, tools, and features, .NET has held up as an essential framework to know and use. It has provided the foundation for countless projects across sectors like finance, education, gaming, and more, and with frequent enhancements and improvements, it promises to continue to serve businesses for years to come.
