Chapter 1: Network Programming with the Microsoft .NET Framework

Overview

Welcome to network programming with the Microsoft Windows .NET Framework. The .NET Framework is a platform for distributed computing that enables developers to create powerful network-aware applications with a new level of simplicity and interoperability. In this book, we ll cover the details you need to know to get the most out of your distributed development efforts as you target this new platform. This text is intended to cover a range of network development scenarios, from writing your first socket-based application to developing high performance n- tier Web applications.

Before we get too far into the network-specific elements, it s important to understand the basic principles behind the creation of the .NET Framework. This chapter will walk you through the basics of the .NET Framework and the common language runtime (CLR), with a particular focus on the network- related elements.

We ll start with an overview of the CLR, the execution environment on which the .NET Framework is based. Next we ll explain the overall goals behind the .NET Framework and define some key terms that will be used in this book. Then we ll go over the System.* -level namespaces, including a look at each of the common models that can be used to create different types of applications such as Microsoft ASP.NET, Windows Forms, Windows Services, and console-based applications. Code examples that demonstrate a basic network application in the context of each application model are included. With the groundwork in place, the remaining portion of this chapter introduces the elements of the .NET Framework most commonly involved in network programming. You ll see that these pieces represent a layered, cohesive stack, as shown in Figure 1-1. The information you get from reading this book will be applicable regardless of the level at which you interface with the .NET Framework.

Figure 1-1: An overview of the .NET Framework and related components

Throughout the course of this chapter, we ll be referring to Figure 1-1 as we talk about the different components that make up the .NET Framework and its related components, such as the CLR.