.NET Framework Library

A .NET Framework Library is a software library designed for use in applications built on the .NET Framework.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) include classes, interfaces, and value types that encapsulate functionality for various tasks like file handling, networking, security, and more.
  • It can (often) be a part of the Base Class Library (BCL), which is the core set of libraries that are included with the .NET Framework.
  • It can (often) be extended or customized by developers to create application-specific libraries or to add new functionality.
  • It can (often) be used to abstract away complex operations, allowing developers to focus on building application logic rather than on low-level details.
  • ...
  • It can range from general-purpose libraries, like those for collections and threading, to specialized libraries, such as those for cryptography or XML processing.
  • ...
  • It can support cross-language interoperability, meaning it can be used in any .NET language, such as C#, VB.NET, or F#.
  • It can be distributed as part of the .NET Framework itself, or as external NuGet packages that can be integrated into projects as needed.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • System.IO.Packaging API‎‎
  • System.IO Namespace (System.IO namespace API), provides software classes for reading and writing to files and data streams, and for basic file operations and file directory operations.
  • System.Net.Http Namespace (System.Net.Http namespace API), provides software classes for accessing web pages and web services over HTTP.
  • System.Windows.Forms Namespace (System.Windows.Forms namespace API), provides software classes for creating Windows-based applications with rich user interfaces.
  • System.Data Namespace (System.Data namespace API), offers software classes for accessing and managing databases and other data sources.
  • System.Xml Namespace (System.Xml namespace API), provides extensive support for processing XML documents, including parsing, validation, and transformations.
  • System.Drawing Namespace (System.Drawing namespace API), includes software classes for drawing graphics, manipulating images, and working with fonts and text.
  • System.Security.Cryptography Namespace (System.Security.Cryptography namespace API), offers a variety of cryptographic services, including encryption, decryption, hashing, and digital signatures.
  • System.Threading Namespace (System.Threading namespace API), provides software classes for creating and managing threads, as well as performing tasks asynchronously.
  • System.ServiceModel Namespace (System.ServiceModel namespace API), supports building and deploying service-oriented applications, particularly for web services.
  • System.Globalization Namespace (System.Globalization namespace API), provides software classes for managing culture-specific information, such as date and time formatting, and number formatting.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • .NET Core Library, which is designed for use with .NET Core and .NET 5+ platforms rather than the traditional .NET Framework.
  • Mono Library, which is part of the Mono project and is designed to provide cross-platform compatibility with the .NET Framework.
• See: Base Class Library (BCL), System.IO Namespace, System.Net.Http Namespace, NuGet Package, Cross-Language Interoperability

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References

2023

• (Microsoft, 2023) ⇒ Microsoft Corporation. (2023). ".NET Framework Class Library.” In: Microsoft Learn. [1]
  • NOTE: It describes the .NET Framework Library as the foundational set of reusable classes that enable developers to build robust and scalable applications.

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