.net ???

[ubunreal69]

Could someone explain to me EXACTLY what this .NET thing is ??

[JoshT]

Micorsoft's strategy to sell software as a service.

[Cander]

not quite. The biggest myth of .net is that all it is is making your programs work over the internet. this is not true. It is a framework that is independent of the OS much like Java is. therefore this makes it possible to write programs on Windows and run them on BSD or some other OS.(there is a C# and .NET framework port in process for Linux and FreeBSD). You probably wont see a VB port on other OS', but C# will since it is a standard approved by ECMA now.(So much for Java :P)

Another part of it, which is where the above myth comes from, is that it provides an easier way to create and consume XML/SOAP Web Services. These allow you to provide different services to anywhere since the messages sent and received are in XML based languages making it OS independent. But Web Services are completly optional.

[JoshT]

But remember VS.Net is only a small part of MS's .Net strategy...

[Cander]

Thats true, but regardless of what MS' plans for their uses' of .NET, the VS .NET is all us as developers really need or are concerned about. If MS uses .NET to make Windows subscription, that's their coffin :P! Ill stick with an older Windows or one of the other platforms using .NET.

[JoshT]

Yes, but I think MS is going to try to get developers to subscribe to Passport or whatever for .Net apps. And I don't think it'll ever run on anything MS doesn't make - the case seems over, and MS pretty much called Linux a virus.

[Cander]

It is known fact that the CLI and C# are being worked on for
Linux and FreeBSD. That was the point of submitting it to ECMA. MS is even working with the company making the FreeBSD port.

And as far the Passport required for anything .NET, that is a load of bull drummed up by some MS-bashers. It will remain an optional addition. I asked MS employees at VBits this year and they said so no they will never force developers to add Passport to their .NET apps.

Again whether MS requires it for Windows..thats up to them!

[JoshT]

Straight from MS: http://www.gotdotnet.com/about_new.aspx

Simply put, Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's strategy for delivering software as a service.

[Cander]

yes but there is so much more to it. I think perhaps my wording threw you off or I chose the wrong words. The point is ubunreal, wanted to know what .net is and I was trying to make sure he wasnt under the impression that that is all .net is, making software run over internet as a service