Chapter 2. Introduction to the .NET Framework

In This Chapter

History of the .NET Framework

Overview

Features

Microsoft announcement about the .NET framework in 2002, came after long years that C++ had been the king of programming language for the Windows environment. Some people liked it, a lot of others didn’t, to say the least. You had to do so much work to get the most common task done. The .NET Framework was released with a big promise and even a bigger concept: Leave the nasty stuff to the compiler and focus on your design and your targets.

The first version wasn’t that great. However, more than 7 years have gone by, and we’re already on version 3.5 of the .NET Framework, and eagerly awaiting 4.0. C# and VB.Net ...

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