Elements of the .NET Framework

Figure 1.1 shows an extremely simplified view of the architecture and relationships between elements of the .NET Framework. The CLR is the base on which all of the .NET Framework's other facilities are built. In particular, the CLR is responsible for addressing most of the “programming in the small” issues that have been identified with developing distributed systems. On top of the CLR is a Base Framework, a set of class libraries that can be used and shared by any .NET-aware language. The CLR and fundamental parts of the Base Framework are collectively known as the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI); the CLI has been standardized by ECMA.[2]

[2] See http://www.ecma.ch/.

Figure 1.1. .NET Framework

Common Language ...

Get Programming in the .NET Environment now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.