The .NET Framework
is a component of Windows created
by Microsoft, which contains many language independent libraries and a common runtime
environment. Along with the managed extensions of the C++ language, other object
oriented compilers are available:
The entire .NET Framework and all of the above compilers can be
downloaded and used for free. However,
they need to be used from the command line. If you want to work within the Integrated
Development Environment (IDE), you will have to purchase Visual Studio .NET or use
it from the login nodes or the collaboratory machines.
