.NET is a free and open-source developer platform created and maintained by Microsoft. It provides a comprehensive set of tools, libraries, and frameworks for building a wide variety of applications, from web and mobile apps to cloud services and desktop software.

Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Cross-Platform:

  • Unlike its predecessor, the .NET Framework, which primarily targeted Windows, .NET is cross-platform. This means developers can use the same codebase to build applications that run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms.

Open Source:

  • .NET is open-source, meaning its source code is publicly available for anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to. This transparency and community involvement foster collaboration and innovation within the .NET ecosystem.

Multiple Implementations:

  • .NET is not a single monolithic framework, but rather a collection of different implementations. Each implementation targets specific platforms and functionalities:
    • .NET 6 (and above): The latest and most actively developed implementation, supporting various platforms and workloads.
    • .NET Core: A lightweight version of .NET, focusing on web development and console applications, with cross-platform compatibility.
    • Xamarin: A framework for building mobile applications for Android, iOS, and other platforms using C# and other .NET languages.
    • ASP.NET Core: A web application framework built on top of .NET, commonly used for building modern web applications and APIs.
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