What is .NET Framework and do I need it?

Question

I have .NET Framework 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0 installed in my computer. do I need it? and if I do, do I need three different versions of it?

Answer 1

.NET Framework is a collection of code that allows programs written in .NET to run.

You need the .NET Framework to run any programs that have been written in .NET. There are many that are written in that code.

Yes, you need all three versions, because unfortunately, each .NET framework has removed certain features that were present in past frameworks and added features that weren't present, so which framework a specific program needs is important.

Finally, the frameworks aren't hurting anything on your computer and aren't taking up much in terms of resources.

Note to previous answerer: .NET is nothing like Java. It's not even the same approach. Java works via a Virtual Machine. .NET is a bunch of libraries. Claiming .NET is a port of Java is like saying a pair of shoes are a port of an ocean liner.

Seriously, if you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, remain silent.

Answer 2

The .NET framework is a software development platform. .NET framework consist of two components: The Common Language Runtime (CLR) & the Framework Class Library (FCL).

The CLR is responsible for running .NET code. the FCL is a bunch of classes made available for developers to benefit from.

To run a .NET application developed using .NET 1.1, you will need the .NET V1.1. Same goes for other versions.

Installing .NET framework 2.0 for example will not enable you to run applications built with .NET V 1.1

Answer 3

Microsoft is pushing it as a (questionably since it is a copy-cat) better competitor to Java, so it will be more useful later on, but at present, you have no need for it unless its installer comes up. And ideally you need no lesser version of it on the same computer.