Understanding .NET Framework (DOT NET)

.NET Framework 

(pronounced dot net) is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large class library known as Framework Class Library (FCL) and provides language interoperability (each language can use code written in other languages) across several programming languages. Programs written for .NET Framework execute in a software environment (as contrasted to hardware environment) known as Common Language Runtime (CLR), an application virtual machine that provides services such as security, memory management, and exception handling. (As such, computer code written using .NET Framework is called "managed code".) FCL and CLR together constitute .NET Framework.

Release history

Version number	CLR version	Release date	Development tool	Included in		Replaces
				Windows	Windows Server
1.0	1.0	2002-02-13	Visual Studio .NET[22]	XP[a]	N/A	N/A
1.1	1.1	2003-04-24	Visual Studio .NET 2003[22]	N/A	2003	1.0[23]
2.0	2.0	2005-11-07	Visual Studio 2005[24]	N/A	2003, 2003 R2,[25] 2008 SP2, 2008 R2 SP1	N/A
3.0	2.0	2006-11-06	Expression Blend[26][b]	Vista	2008 SP2, 2008 R2 SP1	2.0[20]
3.5	2.0	2007-11-19	Visual Studio 2008[27]	7, 8[c], 8.1[c], 10[c]	2008 R2 SP1	2.0, 3.0[20]
4.0	4	2010-04-12	Visual Studio 2010[28]	N/A	N/A	N/A
4.5	4	2012-08-15	Visual Studio 2012[29]	8	2012	4.0[20]
4.5.1	4	2013-10-17	Visual Studio 2013[30]	8.1	2012 R2	4.0, 4.5[20]
4.5.2	4	2014-05-05	N/A	N/A	N/A	4.0–4.5.1[20]
4.6	4	2015-07-20	Visual Studio 2015[31]	10	N/A	4.0–4.5.2[20]
4.6.1	4	2015-11-17[32]	Visual Studio 2015 Update 1	10 Version 1511	N/A	4.0–4.6[20]

The above is the versions of .NET Framework.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA