.NET Programming Languages for Development

.NET Programming Languages

The .NET Framework is an integrated development environment (IDE) that supports various programming languages, from C to Visual Basic. All the languages that execute within the Microsoft .NET framework use the same data types. Besides, all .NET compliant languages use a single common language runtime and similar .NET Framework class to manage execution.

Microsoft created the Common Language Infrastructure Specification (CLI) to align the functionality for a .NET compliant language. This high-level language describes the feature and functionalities required for a language to use the. NET framework or develop .NET applications or Web Applications. CLI provides a new approach to programming that makes it possible to develop software in one language and interoperate with components in another .NET compliant language.

The .NET framework for developers who code in one of the following programming languages: Visual Basic .Net, C#, ASP .Net, J#, and Managed C++. Most programmers use .NET Framework because it allows them to switch between the best language for each component without losing the power of using a single platform. Global statistics show that approximately 34.55% of software developers use .NET Framework (2). Whether you are a novice or an expert programmer, it is worth exploring different .NET programming languages used in the .NET software development process.

What Are Microsoft .NET Languages?

The Microsoft-backed .NET foundation was developed to support many programming languages. CLI allowed Microsoft to create a great suite of languages that work well together. This benefit is especially true when you consider that you can use Visual Studio to create Windows applications and ASP.NET Web Pages in the same project. You can also create a class in C++ that remains inherent with Visual Basic’s base class.

Unlike most development platforms, .NET is open-source and compatible with many programming languages. However, C# was the primary program Microsoft program designed for programmers using the .NET framework, but you can also use Visual Basic and C++. The following are the languages you can use with the .NET Framework:

VC++

Visual C++ or Visual Studio has changed to incorporate .NET programmers. It has new MFC classes essential in a development environment for creating applications, games, and other software. Visual C++ allows programmers to specify using a .NET independent MISL file or MFC. You can also choose between the .NET Framework to compile your file and an executable one. Visual C++ contains development tools such as compilers for various languages and Visual Studio IDE for writing and debugging programs on the Microsoft operating system. VC++ supports C/C++ compilers that generate native code using an MFC-based framework to provide program execution engines.

VB.NET

VB.NET is another object-oriented programming language used in the .NET Framework. Therefore, software developers can access the .NET libraries for programs that run with reliability and scalability. Microsoft developed this language to combine the power of common language runtime and the .NET Framework. Visual Basic. NET is a Visual Basic 6. VB.NET upgrade designed to support features such as inheritance and encapsulation. It offers all the features of its predecessor and a much broader collection of class library support for building window-based platforms. Programs written in VB.NET are always interoperated with those written in other .NET compliant languages such as Visual C++ and Visual C#. Any software programmer looking for a language that is not case-sensitive or allows them to use the drag-and-drop features can use VB.NET. This language is popular for the following features:

• NET allows automatic code formatting
• It is an object-oriented language that treats everything as an object
• It uses a standard library
• NET uses automated garbage collection
• NET allows automatic code formatting.

The language also provides an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), allowing users to test programs before publication.

C#

Microsoft designed C# as another object-oriented programming language just like C++. However, C# has a more straightforward syntax and functionalities than C++ or Java. However, its roots in the C family make it an easy and type-safe language for JavaScript and C++ programmers.

Like VB.NET, it compiles into traditional DOS-compatible executables in language constructs that can use the .NET Framework. C Sharp is the most straightforward .NET compatible programming language for any Microsoft Technologies newcomer. Microsoft has added several C Sharp features to help programmers create durable and robust applications over the years. Common C# features include Null types, Garbage collection, and Lambda expressions, allowing language features like local functions, functional support programming, and closures.

J#

Before Microsoft acquired J#, this programming language was a project created by the Eclipse Foundation. Most software developers prefer J# because it supports developing object-oriented applications for Microsoft’s .NET platform. Anyone familiar with the standard Java programming language will find it to use the few extra features in Java Sharp.

JScript .NET

Microsoft implemented the ECMAScript (or JavaScript) by rewriting JScript.NET to a .NET framework-compatible programming language. Although it differs from JavaScript, JScript.NET improves performance in writing web-based applications in standard JavaScript. JScript.NET has features such as support for XML advanced data types, inheritance, integration, and classes that are desirable for web-based applications.

F#

Programmers can write succinct, robust programming languages that prioritize computation. F sharp began as F# for .NET developers, an education prototype for Microsoft Developers. Although you can compare it to Java, C#, and C++, this functional-first programming language differs from most object-oriented programs. However, it has become widely used for optional multi-threading and garbage collection features.

Other Microsoft .NET Languages

The .NET framework currently supports Microsoft’s 12 traditional programming languages. Besides C#, F#, or Visual Basic., C#, F#, and Visual Basic, you can write .NET apps with the following Microsoft .NET languages:

• Windows PowerShell
• Iron Ruby
• VBx
• Iron Python
• C Omega
• ASML (Abstract State Machine Language).

Non-Microsoft .NET languages

Microsoft encourages third-party vendors to use other .NET programming languages that can compile into MSIL. However, these vendors use Visual Studio .NET IDE to write compilers for their languages. The latter allows them to use their .NET compliant languages without creating a development environment. The most common third-party .Net programming languages include Ada, Visual COBOL .NET, Haskell, ML, Oberon, Perl, Python, Nemerie, Boo, APL, Scala, Ruby, Pascal, Eiffel, and Fortran.

What is MSIL in the .NET Framework?

Most programs run on specific programming languages. This scenario prompts for a framework that can allow programmers to utilize programming languages such as Visual Basic .NET and C# in different environments. Microsoft created a high-level language known as MSIL (Microsoft Intermediate Language) to make it easier for programmers to transform any language when developing applications, servers, and tools for whatever platform. So, with MSIL and the .NET framework, they can have their programming language in native code or CPU-independent instructions they can use to program in any language. Through MSIL, programmers get a unified programming model to have their preferred language compiled into MSIL and back to machine code, eliminating the need to create separate versions of their application for each platform. As a result, programmers do not have to learn multiple languages because .NET Framework allows programs to share features ad fundamental concepts.

How many languages is .NET supporting now?

Microsoft designed the .NET framework to support many .NET compliant languages. Microsoft has released seven .NET versions, with the latest release introducing new languages (3). So far, Microsoft has expressly introduced 11 programming languages to the .NET environment. There are at least 50 third-party programming languages that are .NET compliant. Although you can use these Non-Microsoft languages for projects, such as web development, it is beneficial to use Microsoft languages for robust features.

What Are the Main Components of the .NET Framework?

The .NET Framework is Microsoft’s platform that provides programmers with various accessible and scalable tools for Windows applications or Web programs. The two main .NET Framework components include the Common Language Runtime (CLR), the runtime environment, and the Framework Class Library (FCL). The CLR provides an environment for applications to run, and the FCL is the assembly of object-oriented class libraries. Other components include .NET Framework Security, Common Type System, and application domains. With all of these programming languages, a common question we hear is: What is .NET used for? Click to learn more.

What is our favorite .NET programming language?

The commonly known .NET languages are C#, VB.NET, J#, and F#. Different .NET programming languages are popular because they exhibit diverse categories of specialty. Each language has its syntax, rules, and features, making it unique for its developers. However, most people prefer Microsoft’s latest programming language: C#. This language is one of the main general-purpose languages for scalable and high-performance programming. Forbes put it best (4):

“There are dozens of coding languages in wide use today, and for aspiring engineers, or anyone who wants to dabble in tech, it can be difficult to know where to start.”

– Forbes

Frequently Asked Questions About .Net Programming Languages

What Programming Language Does .NET Use?

.NET supports many programming languages. This software development ecosystem and framework allows any .NET Framework-compliant programming languages. The open-source multi-language framework makes it easy for programmers to work in many languages. Besides Visual Basic, C#, and C++, other programming languages, such as F#, use the .NET Framework.

Is .NET a Programming Language?

.NET is not a programming language. It is an open-source multi-language environment that allows the development of web applications in different .NET programming languages. Anyone familiar with Visual Basic, C++, C#, Java, and ASP.NET Development can use .NET to make web applications.

Is Python a .NET Language?

Python is not an outright .NET programming language. However, the IronPython project allows the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) to run the Python code.

Is C++ a .NET Language?

C++ is not a .NET language. It is unlike languages such as C# based on the Common Language Runtime (CLR). However, it is a cross-platform programming language used to create high-performance applications that run on various systems.

How Sonatafy Technology Can Help You Outsource a Specialized .NET Software Developer

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References:

1. Carbonnelle, P. (2022, November). PYPL popularity of Programming Language index. PYPL index. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://pypl.github.io/PYPL.html
2. Vailshery, L. S. (2022, August 9). Most used frameworks among developers globally 2022. Statista. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/793840/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-frameworks/
3. (2022, November). What’s new in .NET 7. Microsoft Learn. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/whats-new/dotnet-7
4. Kauflin, J. (2017, May 15). “There are dozens of coding languages in wide use today, and for aspiring engineers, or anyone who wants to dabble in tech, it can be difficult to know where to start.” The five most in-demand coding languages. Forbes. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2017/05/12/the-five-most-in-demand-coding-languages/?sh=6ed87983b3f5