.NET Framework 4.5

Microsoft's comprehensive and consistent programming model

The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 redistributable package installs the .NET Framework runtime and associated files that are required to run and develop applications to target the .NET Framework 4.

The .NET Framework is Microsoft's comprehensive and consistent programming model for building applications that have visually stunning user experiences, seamless and secure communication, and the ability to model a range of business processes.

The .NET Framework 4 works side by side with older Framework versions. Applications that are based on earlier versions of the Framework will continue to run on the version targeted by default.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 provides the following new features and improvements:
· The .NET Framework 4 works side by side with the Framework version 3.5 SP1. Applications that are based on earlier versions of the Framework will continue to run on that version. Just a subset of functionality is shared by all versions of the Framework.
Innovations in the Visual Basic and C# languages, for example statement lambdas, implicit line continuations, dynamic dispatch, and named/optional parameters.

· The ADO.NET Entity Framework, which simplifies how developers program against relational databases by raising the level of abstraction, has many new features. These includes persistence ignorance and POCO support, lazy loading, test-driven development support, functions in model, and new LINQ operators.

· Enhancements to ASP.NET:
New JavaScript UI Templates and databinding capabilities for AJAX.
New ASP.NET chart control.

· Improvements in WPF:
Added support in Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) for Windows 7 multi-touch, ribbon controls, and taskbar extensibility features.
Added support in WPF for Surface 2.0 SDK.
New line-of-business controls including charting control, smart edit, data grid, and others that improve the experience for developers who build data centric applications.
Improvements in performance and scalability.
Visual improvements in text clarity, layout pixel snapping, localization, and interoperability.

· Improvements to Windows Workflow (WF) that let developers to better host and interact with workflows. These include an improved activity programming model, an improved designer experience, a new flowchart modeling style, an expanded activity palette, workflow-rules integration, and new message correlation features. The .NET Framework also offers significant performance gains for WF-based workflows.

· Improvements to Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) such as support for WCF Workflow Services enabling workflow programs with messaging activities, correlation support, durable two-way communication and rich hosting capabilities.

· Additionally, .NET Framework 4 provides new WCF features such as service discovery, router service, simplified configuration and a number of improvements to queuing, REST support, diagnostics, and performance.

· Innovative new parallel programming features such as parallel loop support, Task Parallel Library (TPL), Parallel LINQ (PLINQ), and coordination data structures which let developers harness the power of multi-core processors.

Additional Requirements for Server Installation
If you have to perform a server installation, your computer must have the following software in addition to the basic requirements:
· Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 or later. To access the features of ASP.NET, IIS with the latest security updates must be installed before the .NET Framework is installed. ASP.NET is supported only on Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 RC.
· Recommended) Microsoft Data Access Components 2.8 or later
· Note: Most users do not have to perform a server installation. If you are unsure whether to perform a server installation, just perform a basic installation.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Server Core installer package downloads the .NET Framework 4 components required to run on Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and higher for Server Core role installation.

When you're running .NET Framework 4 applications on Server Core, only Server Core-based features will work, while client applications features such as Windows Presentation Foundation(WPF) and ClickOnce deployment are not supported on Server Core.

Requirements:

· Minimum: Pentium 400 MHz 96 MB RAM
· Recommended: Pentium 1 GHz or higher 256 MB or more RAM
· Windows Installer 3.1 or later
· Internet Explorer 5.01 or later

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

Improvements in Common Language Runtime (CLR) and Base Class Library (BCL) :
· Performance improvement including better multicore support, background garbage collection, and profiler attach on server.
· New memory mapped file and numeric types.
· Easier debugging including dump debugging, Watson minidumps, mixed mode debugging for 64 bit and code contracts.

· Innovations in the Visual Basic and C# languages, for example statement lambdas, implicit line continuations, dynamic dispatch, and named/optional parameters.

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.NET Framework 3.5

A preview release of the latest version of the .NET Framework

Many ISV's, enterprises and Microsoft product teams are successfully building on the new features Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows CardSpace in the .NET Framework 3.0.

Microsoft plans to continue to invest in the .NET Framework developer platform and in support of existing users the .NET Framework 3.5 has a minimal number of breaking changes. So that existing applications built for .NET Framework 2.0 or .NET Framework 3.0 should continue to run without requiring changes.

The .NET Framework 3.5 adds new features in several major technology areas; including:
· Deep integration of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness
· ASP.NET AJAX for quickly creating more efficient, more interactive and highly-personalized Web experiences that work across all the most popular browsers
· New web protocol support for building WCF services including AJAX, JSON, REST, POX, RSS, ATOM and several new WS-* standards
· Full tooling support for WF, WCF and WPF including the new workflow-enabled services technology
· New classes in the base class library (BCL) for the .NET Framework 3.5 address the most common customer requests.

.NET Framework 3.5 is planned to release at the end of 2007 and will ship with Visual Studio code name "Orcas" and will also continue to be available for separate download from MSDN.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (which is formerly known as WinFX), is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes.

These new technologies are Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, and Windows CardSpace (formerly code named "Infocard"). Microsoft plans to ship .NET Framework 3.0 as part of the Windows Vista operating system. In addition, Microsoft is making these technologies available on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

.NET Framework 3.0 can be installed on any of the following systems:
· Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Service Pack 1 (SP1)
· Windows XP SP2
· Windows Vista
Windows Vista comes with .NET Framework 3.0. There is no separate installation package required. The standalone .NET Framework 3.0 packages are not supported on Vista.

Requirements:
Processor
Minimum:
· 400 megahertz (MHz) Pentium processor

Recommended:
· 1 gigahertz (GHz) Pentium processor

RAM
Minimum:
· 96 megabytes (MB)

Recommended:
· 256 MB

Hard Disk: Up to 500 MB of available space may be required.

Display
Minimum:
· 800 x 600, 256 colors

Recommended:
· 1024 x 768 high color, 32-bit

Microsoft Connected Services Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 Enterprise Edition

Microsoft Connected Services Framework is an integrated, server-based packaged software product for building and managing services by using a service-oriented architecture (SOA). For telecommunications operators and other service providers, CSF enables them to aggregate, provision, and manages converged communications services for their subscribers across multiple networks and a range of device types.

Microsoft Connected Services Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1) addresses many of the high priority requests from our customers including a dramatic improvement in the setup and configuration of the CSF components. CSF 3.0 SP1 also includes support for WCF-based services, which includes WS-reliable messaging and better performance. Can be downloaded from Connected Services Framework 3.0 EE SP1

Requirements of Microsoft Connected Services Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 Enterprise Edition:

· Internal Information Services 6.0
· Active Directory (Functional Level 2000)
· Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
· Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (SP4), or 2005 SP1
· Windows Support Tools 2003 SP2
· Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 SP1
· UDDI 2.0
· Enterprise Single Sign-On 3.0
· Microsoft Clusting Server (if clustering is required)
· Microsoft Management Console 3.0
· Web Service Enhancement 3.0


Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 Language Packs contain translated text, such as error messages, for languages other than English. Without the installation of a Language Pack, these messages are displayed in English by default.

Multiple language packs, each for a different language, can be installed on a single computer. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 SP1 Language Packs contain translated text, such as error messages, for each language.

The following Language Packs are designed for NET Framework 3.0 SP1 x86 ONLY : French , Greek , Spanish , Italian , German , Japanese.

The following Language Packs are designed for NET Framework 3.0 SP1 x64 ONLY : French , Spanish , Italian , German , Japanese.

.NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP

There are some known incompatibilities in generic types using the BinaryFormatter or NetDataContractSerializer serialized and deserialized across a mixed .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and .NET Framework 4 environment. Installing this update addresses these issues.


Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service pack 1 Beta

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 service pack 1 is a cumulative update that contains many new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and includes .NET Framework 2.0 service pack 2 and .NET Framework 3.0 service pack 2 cumulative updates.

.NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 provides the following new features and improvements:

· ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which provides a rich scaffolding framework that allows rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support). For more information, see What's New in ASP.NET and Web Development.

· Core improvements to the common language runtime that include better layout of .NET Framework native images, opting out of strong-name verification for fully trusted assemblies, improved application startup performance, better generated code that improves end-to-end application execution time, and opting managed code to run in ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) mode if supported by the operating system. Additionally, managed applications that are opened from network shares have the same behavior as native applications by running with full trust.

· Performance improvements to Windows Presentation Foundation, including a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF includes better support for line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.

· ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web.

· The Entity Framework is an evolution of the existing suite of ADO.NET data access technologies. The Entity Framework allows developers to program against relational databases in terms of application-specific domain models instead of the underlying database models. For more information see Getting Started with the Entity Framework. The Entity Framework introduces some additional features, including support for new SQL Server 2008 types, default graph serialization of Entities, and the first broad public release of the Entity Data Source. With this release, the Entity Framework supports the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008. The graph serialization work helps developers who want to build Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services that model full graphs as data contracts. The Entity Data Source provides a traditional data source experience for ASP.NET application builders who want to work with the Entity Framework.

· LINQ to SQL includes new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

· The ADO.NET Data Services Framework consists of a combination of patterns and libraries, which enable data to be exposed as a flexible REST (Representational State Transfer)-based data service that can be consumed by Web clients within a corporate network or across the Internet. The ADO.NET Data Services Framework makes data service creation over any data source. A conceptual view model of the underlying storage schema can easily be exposed through rich integration with the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Services created using the ADO.NET Data Services Framework, as well as compatible Windows Live (dev.live.com) services, can be easily accessed from any platform. For client applications running on Microsoft platforms, a set of client libraries are provided to make interaction with data services simple. For example, .NET Framework-based clients can use LINQ to query data services and a simple .NET Framework object layer to update data in the service.

· Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications.

· The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

IMPORTANT: This beta release is for early testing and feedback. As a beta release, we recommend you only install the service pack on test computers. Prior to installation, you should carefully review the included readme file to be aware of any known issues with this release. For example, this service pack has some known compatibility issues with previous releases, including:
· Expression Blend (all versions)
· Silverlight 2 Beta 1 SDK
· Silverlight Tools Beta 1 for Visual Studio 2008
Note:
Select the service pack (SP) according to yours

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.NET Framework 2.0

Provides the latest updates to the .NET Framework

Microsoft .NET Framework is the programming model of the .NET environment for building, deploying, and running Web-based applications, smart client applications, and XML Web services.

It manages much of the plumbing, enabling developers to focus on writing the business logic code for their applications.

The .NET Framework includes the common language runtime and class libraries.

The Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 redistributable package installs the .NET Framework runtime and associated files required to run applications developed to target the .NET Framework 2.0.

The .NET Framework version 2.0 improves scalability and performance of applications with improved caching, application deployment and updating with ClickOnce, support for the broadest array of browsers and devices with ASP.NET 2.0 controls and services.

Important: You cannot install two different language versions of the .NET Framework on the same machine. Attempting to install a second language version of the .NET Framework will cause the following error to appear: "Setup cannot install Microsoft .NET Framework because another version of the product is already installed." If you are targeting a non-English platform or if you wish to view .NET Framework resources in a different language, you must download the appropriate language version of the .NET Framework language pack

Requirements:
· Windows Installer 3.0 (except for Windows 98/ME, which require Windows Installer 2.0 or later). Windows Installer 3.1 or later is recommended.
· IE 5.01 or later: You must also be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later for all installations of the .NET Framework.
· Disk Space Requirements: 280 MB (x86), 610 MB (x64)


Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 1 Language Packs contain translated text, such as error messages, for languages other than English. Without the installation of a Language Pack, these messages are displayed in English by default.

Multiple language packs, each for a different language, can be installed on a single computer. Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 SP1 Language Packs contain translated text, such as error messages, for each language.

The following Language Packs are designed for NET Framework 2.0 SP1 x86 ONLY : French , Greek , Spanish , Italian , German , Japanese.

The following Language Packs are designed for NET Framework 2.0 SP1 x64 ONLY : French , Korean , Spanish , Italian , German , Japanese.

The following Language Packs are designed for NET Framework 2.0 SP1 IA64 ONLY : French , Korean , Spanish , Italian , German , Japanese.

Download Now

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