Microsoft .NET Framework

The .NET Framework is a technology that supports building and running the next generation of applications and XML Web services. The .NET Framework is designed to fulfill the following objectives:

- To provide a consistent object-oriented programming environment whether object code is stored and executed locally, executed locally but Internet-distributed, or executed remotely.

- To provide a code-execution environment that minimizes software deployment and versioning conflicts.

- To provide a code-execution environment that promotes safe execution of code, including code created by an unknown or semi-trusted third party.

- To provide a code-execution environment that eliminates the performance problems of scripted or interpreted environments.

- To make the developer experience consistent across widely varying types of applications, such as Windows-based applications and Web-based applications.

- To build all communication on industry standards to ensure that code based on the .NET Framework can integrate with any other code.