Introducing the .NET Platform

	Software is changing from a closed to a connected world, much like personal computers themselves are.The .NET Framework is designed to make it easier to create distributed applications that leverage this new paradigm.
	There are multiple pieces to the .NET Framework, starting from a shared Common Language Infrastructure and extended to various Microsoft servers and services.
	The .NET Framework is designed as a single consistent development environment offering shorter development cycles, improved scalability, and better behaved programs.

Features of the .NET Platform

	The .NET platform hides the gory details of interfacing with the underlying operating system functions and lets you concentrate on the solution at hand.
	Multilanguage development is greatly simplified thanks to the use of the intermediate language and Common Language Runtime.
	Automatic memory management reduces the level of effort required to manage resources; you can simply let the garbage collector take care of cleaning up and preventing memory leaks.
	It includes a new versioning system designed to end DLL Hell.
	Much of the platform is built on open standards, such as XML and SOAP.
	You are not forced to rewrite everything to use .NETinteroperability with existing code and components is maintained.
	It includes an improved security model, which allows a fine-grained control as well as integrated safety from security flaws caused by problems related to buffer overruns.

Components of the .NET Architecture

	The Common Language Runtime is a managed execution environment offering many advantages over the traditional native code development methods.
	All languages compile to the same intermediate language. The IL is platform- and processor-independent, potentially allowing .NET applications someday to run on non-Windows operating systems.
	The Common Type System allows all languages to share data types without requiring that the developer deal with interpreting different languages conventions.
	It includes a large Base Class Library shared by all .NET languages, offering a wide range of functionality intended to improve developer functionality.
	Assemblies and metadata are designed to improve on some of the weaknesses of the COM model, by including information about the versions of required components a given component was built with.
	The assembly cache is a new facility designed to contain shared .NET components.The assembly cache can contain multiple versions of a given assembly, helping to put an end to DLL Hell.
	Through a process called reflection, an application can interrogate this metadata and learn what an object exposes.

Exploring the Code Cycle

	Compiling your source code, regardless of the language used, results in IL code output.
	Behind the scenes, the compiler inserts a stub function to load the CLR, which then runs the Just In Time Compiler to transform the IL code into native code.

.NET Framework Components 

 



Basic Class Library 
Customizing your computer



Enjoy computing more! Tailor your computer to suit your personality. Learn how to add more colors to the screen, change the background to 
display a favorite picture, create a unique screen saver, add distinctive sounds, change
 fonts, and more. This section also shows you how to adjust the time and date, how to display the contents of your screen across multiple monitors, and how to
 "train" your computer to recognize your voice and handwriting.
 

 
Welcome to Support 



If you are connected to the Internet, there are a variety of ways to get help. 
Remote Assistance enables your friends to view and work on your computer from anywhere. 

Microsoft Online Assisted Support enables an online support professional to answer your questions. 

Newsgroups provide a forum to communicate with other Windows users. 

To get started, click a link under Support
Windows basics



Brush up on Windows skills and learn new ones. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced computer
 user, you are sure to find this section fascinating. Its packed with useful, easy-to-understand information and clear, step-by-step instructions
 
Networking and the Web



Windows XP provides many ways for you to communicate with friends, 
co-workers, and with the rest of the world. Learn how to set up and 
use e-mail, including instant messaging. Explore the World Wide Web 
safely and in a secure environment. Unlock the powerful advantages 
of networking - linking computers at home or in a small business.
 
