What is .NET?
.NET is a free, open-source developer platform from Microsoft that helps you build a wide variety of applications across web, mobile, desktop, gaming, IoT, and more — all using a single codebase and programming language.
Introduction to .NET
The .NET platform provides a complete environment for developing applications using multiple languages (like C#, F#, VB.NET) and frameworks (like ASP.NET Core, Blazor, MAUI).
Whether you're building a web app or a desktop app, .NET helps you create high-performance, scalable, and secure solutions.
Key Highlights of .NET
- Cross-platform: Run on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Multiple languages: Use C#, F#, or VB.NET
- Open source: Active community contributions and transparent development
- High performance: Optimized for speed and memory efficiency
- Tooling: Rich development tools like Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code
First Look: .NET in Action
Let’s see a simple “Hello World” example using a .NET Console Application in C#:
// Program.cs
using System;
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
Console.WriteLine("Hello, .NET World!");
}
}
This basic structure represents the foundation of any .NET application. You define your program logic inside the Main() method — the entry point.
Types of Applications You Can Build with .NET
- Web Applications using ASP.NET Core
- Desktop Applications with WPF or Windows Forms
- Mobile Apps using .NET MAUI or Xamarin
- Cloud and Microservices with .NET Core
- Game Development using Unity with C#
.NET is a unified and versatile platform that simplifies the process of building powerful applications. Its language support, cross-platform capabilities, and tooling make it an excellent choice for modern developers.