What is .Net Programming?

.NET (pronounced “dot net”) is an object-oriented framework used to create reusable code. Microsoft developed it for their programs, but now it’s an open-source tool that anyone can use. The .NET framework encompasses 32 programming languages, including C++ and C#, commonly used to create mobile and desktop apps, including most games you’ve played. In this overview, you’ll learn more about how you can use .NET programming for your projects and how you can add it to your skill set. 

What Can You Do with .NET Programming?

.NET programming is especially prominent in the gaming industry, which has become a $197 billion business as of 2022. Unity is one of the most popular game-making resources on the internet, and its programming language is C#. This programming language is also one of the most commonly-used languages within .NET Core. C# helps power popular games like Among Us, Beat Saber, Hollow Knight, Fall Guys, and Pokemon Go, and many solo developers and AAA game creators use it as their games’ backbone. 

.NET is also common in applications for websites and mobile devices, making web development, mobile development, and iOS app development excellent industries to explore if you have these skills. Why not combine these two uses into one? Mobile games have grown in popularity and are only expected to grow in the future. If you have app development skills, you can work in any industry because every business would love an app to accompany their products, tools, and services. Learn these skills and pick a field that piques your interest—that will take you far into your career, and you’ll work with something you enjoy.

How Do You Download .NET Programming? How Much Does it Cost?

Once upon a time, the .NET framework required a license to use, which meant you had to contact Microsoft and pay for it. Nowadays, you can install .NET easily because it’s available for free as an open-source resource. When you try to access or open an app that requires .NET Framework, you’ll automatically get prompted to install it. Follow the prompts until it’s successfully downloaded. 

If the app still doesn’t open after installing .NET, open your control panel and search for “Windows Features.” Find the option that says “.NET Framework (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0),” select it, press okay, and then reboot your machine to ensure the settings have been saved. If you happen to encounter an error during installation, Microsoft’s support page for .NET will be able to help you troubleshoot. 

What Are the Benefits of Learning .NET Programming?

.NET programming has a plethora of tools to offer for many different purposes. C#, C++, and Visual Basic are the programming languages of choice for many video game developers, including those who make games with Unity, the popular game development resource. More than ¾ of all businesses use .NET Core in some capacity, which means learning how to work with it will give you an advantage in the coding industry. 

While it’s commonly associated with Windows products, you can easily combine it with other programming skills. For example, those who know Python can take their .NET skills and create a Python.NET framework. That’s only a small insight into how you can use .NET programming; because it consists of 32 programming languages and framework resources, there are dozens of ways you can approach it even with only basic knowledge.

Read more about why you should learn .NET programming.

.NET Programming Careers

Any programming industry will utilize .NET programming in some capacity. Microsoft is universally known as one of the top programming businesses, and having skills with their .NET Core programs will be invaluable if you plan to take that step into similar companies regardless of their size. If you have any experience with .NET programming on your resume, you’ll stand out to employers because it’s common in the field but rarer to find from newer programmers. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Web Developers and Digital Designers typically earn a median of around $78,000 per year. Remember that this number is the median—many programming professions are six-figure jobs. Still, $78,000 per year is an excellent salary as well! Many other careers use .NET programming outside of web development and digital design, but these are among the easiest to break into if you’re brand new to the profession. 

How to Learn .NET Programming

.NET programming has many skills you’ll want to enhance before taking dedicated classes. One of those skills is web development. Web development is best known as one of the easiest coding disciplines with practical uses in the tech industry. By learning web development, you’ll build the foundation you need to understand .NET programming’s more complicated concepts while helping your career in its earliest stages. You can apply to Web Developer positions and gain industry knowledge while you advance into more complex languages within .NET Core. 

The road to web development is short: you can easily learn the basics within two to three weeks and become proficient in them within two to six months, depending on your level of commitment. Some of the best web development courses come in bootcamps and certificate programs, which will allow you to gain credentials that can help you land your first job in the tech field. Check out some in-person or live online web development classes to see how they align with your schedule. 

Web development is an excellent first step in any programming job, and you can start learning the basics through on-demand courses. These self-paced web development classes are intended for those with tight budgets or schedules who want to begin their journey. It’s also good to look through web development video tutorials, such as the Intro to Front End Web Development tutorial. Once you’ve finished learning the basic concepts, you’re ready to dive into .NET programming. Noble Desktop’s .NET Programming Learn Hub has a collection of resources, tutorials, and guides specifically dedicated to helping you through each stage of your .NET programming journey. 

Read the full guide on how to learn .NET programming.

A Brief History of .NET Programming

The .NET framework started in the 1990s as part of Microsoft’s initiative to revolutionize how programmers approached the internet. Bill Gates planned to use .NET as an essential part of all Microsoft's products. When the initiative didn’t meet internal expectations, it adapted to the .NET programming framework that became publicly known in the 2000s. 

Originally this framework was only used by Microsoft and wasn’t made publicly available until the 2000s. In late 2007, Microsoft allowed the .NET framework to be used under a license, and the .NET repository became available under a similar license in 2008. It wasn’t until 2014 that Microsoft introduced .NET Core and then released it in 2016 as an open-source framework. That allowed anyone to use the .NET framework for free without needing to obtain a license from the company, and since then, it’s been used by thousands of companies worldwide. 

Comparable Programming Languages

.NET is often compared to Java, and although both are useful in their own ways, .NET is considered the more secure option. That difference between their overall security is small; .NET is only slightly more secure because .NET can find defects in the code at a slightly faster rate than Java. Java is reliable because of its reusability to the point that it’s gained a reputation as a “write once, run anywhere” resource. 

JavaScript and Python are comparable programming languages that many .NET Developers use to complete their work. Both are open source and free to use, so there’s plenty of flexibility to create your own programs without needing permission from anyone. JavaScript is one of the easiest programming languages for beginners, and Python is known for its use in data science and algorithms. 

JavaScript also has a wide variety of frameworks and libraries, which makes it similar to .NET programming. The major difference is that JavaScript is primarily known for its front end capabilities, while .NET mostly focuses on the back end. Despite this distinction, both of them are used for both front end and back end projects to a great extent. 

It’s important to note that Java and JavaScript are NOT the same, although that’s an easy mistake. While both are programming languages commonly used for back end web development, Java is used to create code that runs through the entire script and checks for errors quickly. Meanwhile, JavaScript is used to create interactive programs that are loaded as they’re used. 

As mentioned above, Python is often used to compile, organize, and process data. If you’ve ever logged into a website or social media account without needing to type in your password, you can thank Python for that. It’s commonly used for machine learning algorithms because it helps programs keep track of statistics. You can see machine learning in action every time you log into Netflix or Hulu and see recommendations based on your favorite shows. There’s a framework called Python.NET that integrates Python’s programming language with the .NET framework. It’s also open source, meaning you can use it to your heart’s content.

Learn Web Development with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

When you’re learning .NET programming, you’ll want to have mastery of the fundamentals, and all of those fundamentals can be exercised through learning web development. Since .NET programming covers front end and back end concepts, you’ll be well-suited to take a Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. Full stack covers both ends of web development and will lay down the groundwork you need to enter your first tech job before you even start exploring .NET programming. 

If you feel overwhelmed by learning web development at once, try taking a Front End Web Development Certificate course instead. Front end web development covers the easiest three programming languages available—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and is the skill set of choice for beginners. If you’re up for a challenge and want to learn more coding skills beyond full stack, the Software Engineering Certificate program covers a broad range of topics, including web development, React, and Python. These topics have high usage in .NET programmer roles and will certainly be worth your while. 

You can find more web development classes that will enhance these skills and give you a solid foundation to work from when you explore .NET programming in further detail. The best part about these programs is that they take place in real-time, offer free retakes, and feature experts in the field. Noble Desktop has your back no matter where you decide to take your programming journey.

Key Insights

• .NET programming uses a framework of 32 programming languages, including C++ and C#.
• Microsoft created it, but it only became open-source through .NET Core in 2016.
• It’s often compared to Java because of its security features.
• It’s also used with Python and JavaScript to maximize mobile and desktop apps’ efficiency. 
• You can receive comprehensive .NET programming training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.