As Microsoft's new computing platform for a connected world, .NET represents the biggest shift for developers since the move from DOS to Windows. At the heart of this new platform is the Common Language Runtime, which provides managed execution support, ubiquitous type information and native platform interop. This tutorial provides an overview of the .NET Framework, then delves into the Common Language Runtime and what it offers to developers building & deploying modern applications.

Topics covered include:

• Elements of Microsoft .NET Framework
• The Common Language Runtime
• Metadata and the common type system
• Cross-language component integration
• Deploying and versioning components