C# 0 The Complete Reference

How C# Relates to the .NET Framework

Although C# is a computer language that can be studied on its own, it has a special 

relationship to its runtime environment, the .NET Framework. The reason for this is 

twofold. First, C# was initially designed by Microsoft to create code for the .NET 

www.freepdf-books.com

---

8

 

P a r t   I :  

T h e   C #   L a n g u a g e

Framework. Second, the libraries used by C# are the ones defined by the .NET Framework. 

Thus, even though it is theoretically possible to separate C# the language from the .NET 

environment, in practice the two are closely linked. Because of this, it is important to have a 

general understanding of the .NET Framework and why it is important to C#.