Flavors of .NET

<< 1. Getting Ready | .NET Framework SDK >>

One thing to be noted here is the change in approach of Microsoft while releasing this
new platform. Unlike other software where generally only a handful people are involved
in beta testing, .NET was thrown open to community for testing in it's every pre-release
version. This is one of the reasons why it created so many waves of excitement within the
community and industry as well.

Microsoft has put in great efforts in this new platform. In fact Microsoft says that its
future depends on success of .NET. The development of .NET is such an important event
that Microsoft considers it equivalent to transition from DOS to Windows. All the future
development including new and version upgrades of existing products will revolve
around .NET. So, if you want to be at the forefront of Microsoft Technologies, you
should be knowing .NET!

Now, that we know about brief history of .NET let us see what .NET has to offer.

1.2 Flavors of .NET

Contrary to general belief .NET is not a single technology. Rather it is a set of
technologies that work together seamlessly to solve your business problems. The
following sections will give you insight into various flavors and tools of .NET and what
kind of applications you can develop.

What type of applications can I develop?

When you hear the name .NET, it gives a feeling that it is something to do only
with internet or networked applications. Even though it is true that .NET provides
solid foundation for developing such applications it is possible to create many
other types of applications. Following list will give you an idea about various
types of application that we can develop on .NET.

1. ASP.NET Web applications: These include dynamic and data driven browser

based applications.

2. Windows Form based applications: These refer to traditional rich client

applications.

3. Console applications: These refer to traditional DOS kind of applications like

batch scripts.

4. Component Libraries: This refers to components that typically encapsulate

some business logic.

5. Windows Custom Controls: As with traditional ActiveX controls, you can

develop your own windows controls.

6. Web Custom Controls: The concept of custom controls can be extended to

web applications allowing code reuse and modularization.

7. Web services: They are "web callable" functionality available via industry

standards like HTTP, XML and SOAP.