What is .NET?

. NET is a free, open-source, cross-platform developer created by Microsoft to build many different types of applications. With .NET, you can use multiple languages, editors, and libraries to build applications ​for web, mobile, desktop, gaming, and IoT.

You can write .NET apps in C#, F#, or Visual Basic.

• C# is a simple, modern, object-oriented, and type-safe programming language.

• F# is a cross-platform, open-source, functional programming language for .NET. It also includes object-oriented and imperative programming.

• Visual Basic​ is an approachable language with a simple syntax for building type-safe, object-oriented apps.

Cross Platform

Whether you’re working in C#, F#, or Visual Basic, your code will run natively on any compatible OS. Different .NET implementations handle the heavy lifting for you:

• .NET Core is a cross-platform .NET implementation for websites, servers, and console apps on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• .NET Framework supports websites, services, desktop apps, and more on Windows.

• Xamarin/Mono is a .NET implementation for running apps on all the major mobile operating systems.

.NET Standard is a base set of APIs that are common to all .NET implementations.

Applications

You can build many types of apps with .NET. Some are cross-platform and some target a specific OS or .NET implementation. The types of applications include web apps, mobile apps, desktop apps, deployable microservices, etc.

Tools

The Visual Studio product family provides a great .NET development experience on macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you prefer to use a different editor, there are .NET command-line tools and plugins for many popular editors.

To learn more about .NET, visit their official site.