What is .NET Framework anyway?

Okay, I am a novice coder and I recently moved away from C++ to pursue C#. I have a lot of trust in C++ because it is so widely used, but when I found out that C# is a much newer language, I wondered if C++ might become obsolete.





I used Dev C++ (Bloodshed) to compile my projects. Everything was very simple and straightforward. Install, write, compile. Very simple. Now that I am trying for C#, it seems a bit more complex. It would appear that I not only need to install a compiler, I also need to install some .NET FRAMEWORK. Have I got this right? I have also heard that .NET FW is a standard on all copies of Windows XP. I have XP, but I have never seen .NET before.





So to summarize:


What is the .NET Framework?


--Do I need to install .NET, the compiler, or both?


--Could you reccomend a free compiler for beginners?


--In your opinion, would C# be superior to C++ in the field of game development, or the other way around?

What is .NET Framework anyway?
.Net is much like Java. .Net is an OO framework like Java, but unlike Java, .NET accepts multiple languages (J# (Java), C#, VB, C++, RPG, Cobol, Fortran, etc.).


The .NET SDK is free.





The hardware platforms are more limited - currently. I don't see any reason the runtime environment couldn't be ported to other hardware as popularity grows.





1) When you install the .NET framework SDK, it installs everything you need. Link below.


2) There's only 1 compiler, the one from MS. Development tools - most people use Visual Studio, but that's not free. You can program in any text editor.


3) Not sure.
Reply:Use this from Microsoft it's free:





http://www.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp...





Google how to write in C# you'll find tons of websites with script. Your C++ background will help you a lot. The two languages are SIMILAR so your learning curve will be less.





The reason to really learn this is the many jobs available. Go to Monster and check it out.
Reply:The .Net framework is a bunch of support files so whatever you create will function properly.


Back in the day it was called runtime files. Some OSs you had to install the VB6 runtime files or a program wouldn't run.
Reply:Yes you need to install .net its a huge package, some 4-5 cds when i first installed. its not free..


using .net you can develop a web application as well as a standalone app.





later i moved to java. my life is fun. it is based on oop, similar to c++ but more widely used in web apps.





try java