Introduction...

What is C#

C# is a programming language developed my Microsoft in 2000.

C#, like C++ and Java, makes use of a principle called Object Oriented Programming(OOP) to organize the program.

What is .NET

.NET Framework is the more appropriate term for it. But it is famous with the short form .NET(DotNet).

It is a software development platform created by Microsoft for execution and development of C# and many other languages supported by it. It consists of two parts-FCL and CLR.

FCL(Framework Class Library) is a collection of readymade classes that can be used for common programming tasks. It is very versatile.

CLR(Common Language Runtime) is responsible for execution of C# programs.It handles the memory management and security while executing a C# program.

Programs written in any language cannot be executed directly and need to be converted into machine language instructions. In .NET this conversion is done in 2 steps.

The reason for the 2 steps is for language interoperability (Means different part of the same software can be written in different .NET-compilant languages(like C#,VB.NET,Visual C++) and can be compiled into one common executable program.

NET based programs must have .NET framework installed on the target machine to run them. On machines Windows XP(and server 2003) and earlier, the framework should be installed separately. The later OS versions like Vista,7 has .NET framework installed on it.

Though .NET is primarily used for Windows platforms.There are implementations available for Linux and Mac also.Please check MonoProject for reference.

What is Visual Studio

You need some development tools for building a software in any language.Like you need an editor to type the program and a compiler to compile the program, a debugger to detect,analyze and eliminate bugs in the program,etc.

IDE    à Visual studio comes in different editions based on the licensing terms.Visual Studio Express edition is available for free of cost and can be downloaded from Microsoft Download Site

In this Website, you need to download “Visual Studio Express for Windows”.

Two modes of Download exists in the site.

1. Stub File (Less than 2 mb size and you need to be connected with internet during installation).
2. ISO File (It is more than 600 mb and complete offline installation).

You can go with any mode of installation based on your requirement and just go with your default steps.