This chapter described the programming surface of the .NET Framework: the Framework Class Library. This library contains a very rich set of functionality accessible to the application developer in the form of types and methods . Much of the feel of writing applications for the .NET Framework comes from interactions with this library and its functionality. This chapter first described the history that led up to the development of the Framework Class Library. It then highlighted some of the important guidelines and patterns that were used in the design and implementation of the library. Next, it gave a high-level overview of the major sections of the library. Finally, it peered into the future, suggesting where the library is likely to be extended. |