This chapter aims to orient you to the .NET Framework. It starts with a brief introduction to the .NET Framework and progressively selects different aspects to highlight. Another major objective of the chapter, and indeed the whole book, is to show the relevance of the .NET Framework and Visual Basic .NET to Access database development. One section in the chapter tackles this topic from four different perspectives. The chapter closes with a brief introduction to ADO.NET ”the .NET Framework data processing tool. As you create native .NET Framework solutions for your Access databases, you will find a working knowledge of ADO.NET essential.