In this chapter, we will discuss the tools needed to create C # programming. We have already mentioned is part of C # .Net framework, and for writing .Net applications. Therefore, before discussing the tools available to run a C # program, let us first look at the relationship between C # and the .Net framework.

.Net framework (.Net Framework)

.Net Framework is an innovative platform that can help you write the following types of applications:

  • Windows applications

  • Web Applications

  • Web Service

.Net Framework application is multi-platform applications. Frame design approach makes it suitable for a variety of the following languages: C #, C ++, Visual Basic, Jscript, COBOL, and so on. All of these languages ​​can access framework, they can also interact with each other with each other.

.Net framework consists of a large code base composition, and the like for the client C # language. Listed below are some of the components of the .Net framework:

  • The common language runtime (Common Language Runtime - CLR)

  • .Net Framework Class Library (.Net Framework Class Library)

  • Common Language Specification (Common Language Specification)

  • Common type system (Common Type System)

  • Metadata (the Metadata) and component (Assemblies)

  • Windows Forms (Windows Forms)

  • ASP.Net and ASP.Net AJAX

  • ADO.Net

  • Windows Workflow Foundation (Windows Workflow Foundation - WF)

  • Windows displays the underlying (Windows Presentation Foundation)

  • Windows Communication Foundation (Windows Communication Foundation - WCF)

  • LINQ

For more information on each component, see the Microsoft (Microsoft) document.

C # integrated development environment (Integrated Development Environment - IDE)

Microsoft (Microsoft) provides the following development tools for C # programming:

  • Visual Studio 2010 (VS)

  • Visual C# 2010 Express (VCE)

  • Visual Web Developer

The latter two are free to use, it can be downloaded from Microsoft's official website. Using these tools, you can write C # various programs, from a simple command-line applications to more complex applications. You can also use a basic text editor (such as Notepad) written in C # source code files, and use the command-line compiler (part of the .NET Framework) compiled code for the component.

Visual C # Express and Visual Web Developer Express edition is a customized version of Visual Studio, and has the same look and feel. They retain most of the features of Visual Studio. In this tutorial, we are using Visual C # 2010 Express.

You can download from the Microsoft Visual Studio. It will be automatically installed on your machine. Please note that you need an available network connection to complete the installation of Express.

Write C # programs on Linux or Mac OS

While the .NET Framework is running on a Windows operating system, but there are also some run on other operating system versions to choose from. Mono  is an open source version of the .NET Framework, which includes a C # compiler, and can run on multiple operating systems, such as various versions of Linux and Mac OS. For more information, please visit Go Mono.

Mono's purpose is not just to run cross-platform Microsoft .NET applications, but also provide better development tools for Linux developers. Mono can be run on multiple operating systems, including Android, BSD, iOS, Linux, OS X, Windows, Solaris and UNIX.