Summary

This chapter's goals were as follows :

• To understand .NET's common language runtime (CLR)

• To discuss the garbage collector (GC)

This chapter focused on the common language runtime (CLR). I began with a brief review of the role that Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL) plays in enabling languages to have a common platform on which to run. You were then introduced to the various portions of the CLR. Chapter references were provided to direct you to the chapters where "in-context" discussion will occur. You spent a healthy amount of time exploring the garbage collector (GC) feature of the CLR. I provided several sample applications to demonstrate the memory management characteristics of the GC.

In the next chapter, you will explore the creation and passing of objects. There, finally, you will come full circle with discussions about value type and reference type objects. You will learn about various programming concerns as well. Naturally, I will provide sample applications to help illustrate pertinent details.