What is .NET?

• .NET is a general-purpose software development platform, similar to Java. At its core is a virtual machine that turns intermediate language (IL) into machine
• code. High-level language compilers for C#, VB.NET and C++ are provided to turn source code into IL. C# is a new programming language, very similar to Java.
• An extensive class library is included, featuring all the functionality one might expect from a contempory development platform - windows GUI development
• (Windows Forms), database access (ADO.NET), web development (ASP.NET), web services, XML etc.

What are Web Services?

• Web services are small, reusable applications that help computers from many different operating system platforms work together by exchanging messages. Web
• services are based on industry protocols that include XML (Extensible Markup Language), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and WSDL (Web Services
• Description Language). These protocols help computers work together across platforms and programming languages.

• .NET technologies use Web services to help enhance the computing experience with highly integrated communications and information. Because .NET includes the core technologies for building Web services, it benefits everyone: individual users, organizations, and developers.
• .NET benefits organizations by helping them get the most out of their existing technology investments while creating new ways to implement powerful, cost-effective information technology that will meet future needs. .NET technologies and Web services can be used to integrate even the most disparate computing environments. .NET frees organizations from the confines of proprietary technology, providing the flexibility and scalability that can help organizations connect their existing IT systems and build a foundation for the next wave of computer technology. .NET and Web services can help organizations lower operating costs by helping connect systems; increase sales by helping employees access the right information when and where they need it; integrate services and applications with customers and partners; and lower the costs of information technology with tools that help developers quickly create new solutions to address business issues.
• .NET benefits individuals by helping provide a more personal and integrated computing experience. .NETenabled computing is centered on the user–not on the features of the software or hardware. The user's experience becomes very customizable and provides integrated data and customized interactions that work well with a wide range of computing hardware, such as Pocket PCs, Smartphones, laptops, and other devices. The .NET-based experience enhances the mobile computing experience so user's can get their information regardless of their location. For example, it can take place on a desktop computer, in the car on a Smartphone, or at the store on a Pocket PC.
• .NET benefits developers by providing a tightly integrated set of tools for building and integrating Web services. Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework provide comprehensive development platforms that offer the best, fastest, and most cost-effective way to build Web services. With Visual Studio .NET and the .NET Framework, developers can take advantage of a programming model designed from the ground up for creating Web services in a highly productive, multilanguage environment. With scalable, high-performance execution, the .NET tools allow developers to use existing skills to create a wide range of solutions that work across a broad array of computing devices. .NET also provides a foundation for building Service Oriented Architectures (SOA).

The final versions of the 1.0 SDK and runtime were made publicly available around 6pm PST on 15-Jan-2002. At the same time, the final version of Visual Studio.NET was made available to MSDN subscribers..NET 1.1 was released in April 2003, and was mostly bug fixes for 1.0..NET 2.0 was released to MSDN subscribers in late October 2005, and was officially launched in early
November.