Dot What? What Is .NET? An Introductory Guide to This Developer Platform
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes a 24% growth rate in the software development industry. Likewise, web programmers and mobile coders are expected to see a similar boost.
Learning to code is a great way to open the door to an exciting new career. But before you can get the job, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with one of the top coding programs.
What is .NET? Keep reading to find out!
What Is .NET?
Despite how it sounds, .NET isn’t a type of web domain, like .com or .gov — although we wouldn’t blame you for thinking it was.
Instead, .NET is what’s known in the programming world as a framework. It provides a template of sorts which programmers can use to create their applications.
What makes .NET so cool is that it’s an open-source platform. That means that anyone can use it and tinker with the source code to adjust the program to their liking. It’s also free, making it a great way to dip your toes into the world of coding.
What’s It Used For?
The .NET framework is versatile enough that you can use it for pretty much anything you can think of from games to web-based or mobile apps to websites.
You can even use a c# barcode generator to interpret barcodes in .NET. If you can think of it, .NET likely supports it.
As of now, .NET supports three primary programming languages:
- C# for object-oriented programming
- F# for open-source development
- Visual Basic for simpler object-oriented programming
These are three of the most common programming languages out there. And while you don’t need to know all three languages, a rudimentary understanding will certainly make your experience easier.
What Do I Need to Get Started?
As if .NET didn’t sound cool enough already, its requirements are so simple that your toaster could probably run it! Though .NET is a Microsoft product, you can download it even if you’re a Linux or macOS user.
To run the most recent .NET framework package, you’ll need 512 MB of RAM, 4.5 GB of install space, and the most recent version of your computer’s operating system. So now is the perfect time to go through with that firmware update you’ve been avoiding!
Tips for Getting Started
By far, the best piece of advice we can offer is to head to Microsoft’s site and follow their tutorial. It’s a step-by-step guide that takes you through the ins-and-outs of the framework while letting you get your hands dirty.
If that sounds intimidating, don’t worry. The tutorial is easy enough that you can complete the whole thing (including installation) in about 10 minutes.
Also, brush up on your coding. If it’s been a minute since you’ve written code in C#, it may be a good idea to crack open your old programming books.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap up our guide, let’s ask once again: What is .NET?
.NET is an awesome piece of software that allows you to do pretty much anything you want (presuming you can code). It might take a little getting used to, but stick with it. It’s a fun program that’s only limited by your imagination.
For more tech tips and tricks, make sure to keep reading our blog.