How many computers can execute .NET code

Hi group,

It is tempting to jump into .NET programming, especially C# in my case. But
I have no idea what the realm is of code based on the CLR. Please inform me
of the following:

-what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?
-can I deliver dll-files to older Windows versions? (ME, 2000, 98) so as to
run .NET code?
-what percentage of today's software is written using the .NET architecture?
-will .NET code be accessible for Apple users or Linux users in the future?
-can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual Studio
Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32 machine code?

I do understand that Microsoft invests a lot in .NET and that it will have
an important impact on future programming, but I have to decide this week
what platform to use for my small desktop application. I am targeting a
broad audience with perhaps older computers.

Thank you for your time!

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 12:01:10 +0200, Martijn Mulder wrote:
[color=blue]
> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?[/color]

Everything is on the Microsoft Web Site.
Requirements for .NET 1.1:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Requirements for .NET 2.0:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
[color=blue]
> -can I deliver dll-files to older Windows versions? (ME, 2000, 98) so as to
> run .NET code?[/color]

You can redistribute the .NET Fx Runtime setup program with your
application. Alternatively, users can download it from the Microsoft web
site or via Windows Update.
[color=blue]
> -what percentage of today's software is written using the .NET architecture?[/color]

I doubt that there are any statistics for that
[color=blue]
> -will .NET code be accessible for Apple users or Linux users in the future?[/color]

It's unlikely that MS will port the .NET Framework to other OS (although it
will port a reduced version of WPF to MacOS X but that's a different
story). There is a Novell sponsored open source project aiming at porting
the .NET Fx to other OS, the Mono project:
http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page

If you intend to develop cross-plateform applications though, i would
advise *against* .NET for the moment unless you have carefully evaluated
Mono and are sure that it will have all the features you'll need.
[color=blue]
> -can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual Studio
> Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32 machine code?[/color]

Yes but, obvioulsy, if your code contains .NET specific classes or syntax
it won't coompile if you tell the compiler to treat it as unmanaged Win32
code. The compiler won't automagically transform .NET managed C++ code into
unmanaged Win32 C++ code.

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?

..Net managed applications depend upon the .Net Framework. The .Net Framework
is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on any Windows operating
system, starting with Windows 2000, but not prior to.
[color=blue]
> -can I deliver dll-files to older Windows versions? (ME, 2000, 98) so as
> to run .NET code?[/color]

See my answer to number 1.
[color=blue]
> -what percentage of today's software is written using the .NET
> architecture?[/color]

That would be impossible to answer. .Net applications can only run on
Windows at present, although there are versions being developed for other
Operating Systems, such as the Mono project. .Net software is quite popular,
and many software companies are producing .Net versions of their software.
[color=blue]
> -will .NET code be accessible for Apple users or Linux users in the
> future?[/color]

See my previous answer (Mono)
[color=blue]
> -can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual Studio
> Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32 machine
> code?[/color]

Not exactly. But there are utilities that can convert .Net to native machine
code.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
Professional Numbskull

Show me your certification without works,
and I'll show my certification
*by* my works.

"Martijn Mulder" <i@m> wrote in message
news:442bac6e$0$158$dbd4d001@news.wanadoo.nl...[color=blue]
> Hi group,
>
> It is tempting to jump into .NET programming, especially C# in my case.
> But I have no idea what the realm is of code based on the CLR. Please
> inform me of the following:
>
> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?
> -can I deliver dll-files to older Windows versions? (ME, 2000, 98) so as
> to run .NET code?
> -what percentage of today's software is written using the .NET
> architecture?
> -will .NET code be accessible for Apple users or Linux users in the
> future?
> -can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual Studio
> Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32 machine
> code?
>
> I do understand that Microsoft invests a lot in .NET and that it will have
> an important impact on future programming, but I have to decide this week
> what platform to use for my small desktop application. I am targeting a
> broad audience with perhaps older computers.
>
> Thank you for your time!
>[/color]

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
news:%23ntEtH$UGHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...

[cut]
[color=blue][color=green]
>> -can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual
>> Studio Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32
>> machine code?[/color]
>
> Not exactly. But there are utilities that can convert .Net to native
> machine code.[/color]

But note that it will still depend on the .NET framework (which is ngen'd on
installation) hence the OS restrictions still apply.

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 07:03:13 -0500, Kevin Spencer wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
>> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?[/color]
>
> .Net managed applications depend upon the .Net Framework. The .Net Framework
> is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on any Windows operating
> system, starting with Windows 2000, but not prior to.[/color]

The .NET Framework is supported under Windows 98, Me and in the case of
..NET 1.0 and 1.1, under Windows NT 4 sp6 as well.

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

HI,

"Martijn Mulder" <i@m> wrote in message
news:442bac6e$0$158$dbd4d001@news.wanadoo.nl...[color=blue]
> Hi group,
>
> It is tempting to jump into .NET programming, especially C# in my case.
> But I have no idea what the realm is of code based on the CLR. Please
> inform me of the following:
>
> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?[/color]

From 98 and up (at least 1.1 ), but some features like FileSystemWatcher
are not available in win9X
[color=blue]
> -can I deliver dll-files to older Windows versions? (ME, 2000, 98) so as
> to run .NET code?[/color]

Yes
[color=blue]
> -what percentage of today's software is written using the .NET
> architecture?[/color]

No idea, but IMO it's widely use in intranet apps. I haven't see that many
commercial apps, not even from MS :(
[color=blue]
> -will .NET code be accessible for Apple users or Linux users in the
> future?[/color]

It's accesible now, see MONO
[color=blue]
> -can I invoke simple switches on my VC++ version 8 compiler (Visual Studio
> Express Edition 2003) to change from .NET code to native win32 machine
> code?[/color]

You can use unmanaged code, you can use something called P/invoke




--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

Hi,

"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
news:%23ntEtH$UGHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...[color=blue][color=green]
>> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?[/color]
>
> .Net managed applications depend upon the .Net Framework. The .Net
> Framework is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on any Windows
> operating system, starting with Windows 2000, but not prior to.[/color]

At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did run a
couple of apps in 9X for a while



--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

> At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did run[color=blue]
> a couple of apps in 9X for a while[/color]

I believe you, but I was going by the recommendations posted on the
Microsoft web site. As someone else pointed out, there are a number of
features that are lost in doing so.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
Professional Numbskull

Show me your certification without works,
and I'll show my certification
*by* my works.

"Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )" <ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us> wrote
in message news:eEeNl$$UGHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> "Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
> news:%23ntEtH$UGHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...[color=green][color=darkred]
>>> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?[/color]
>>
>> .Net managed applications depend upon the .Net Framework. The .Net
>> Framework is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on any Windows
>> operating system, starting with Windows 2000, but not prior to.[/color]
>
> At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did run
> a couple of apps in 9X for a while
>
>
>
> --
> Ignacio Machin,
> ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
> Florida Department Of Transportation
>[/color]

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

My understanding is that .NET Framework can be installed under Windows 98
and ME (not 95).

Someone else said Windows 2000 and up. I wonder if .NET 1.0 and 2.0 are
different in that regard.

"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
news:OtqZTjBVGHA.1236@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...[color=blue][color=green]
>> At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did run
>> a couple of apps in 9X for a while[/color]
>
> I believe you, but I was going by the recommendations posted on the
> Microsoft web site. As someone else pointed out, there are a number of
> features that are lost in doing so.
>
> --
> HTH,
>
> Kevin Spencer
> Microsoft MVP
> Professional Numbskull
>
> Show me your certification without works,
> and I'll show my certification
> *by* my works.
>
> "Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )" <ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us>
> wrote in message news:eEeNl$$UGHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>> Hi,
>>
>> "Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23ntEtH$UGHA.5044@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
>>>> -what versions of Windows can execute .NET code?
>>>
>>> .Net managed applications depend upon the .Net Framework. The .Net
>>> Framework is free from Microsoft, and can be installed on any Windows
>>> operating system, starting with Windows 2000, but not prior to.[/color]
>>
>> At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did run
>> a couple of apps in 9X for a while
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Ignacio Machin,
>> ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
>> Florida Department Of Transportation
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

re: How many computers can execute .NET code

> Someone else said Windows 2000 and up. I wonder if .NET 1.0 and 2.0 are[color=blue]
> different in that regard.[/color]

That was me. And now that you mention it, I may have been looking at the
..Net 2.0 requirements. I haven't worked much with 1.1 for about a year now.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
Professional Numbskull

Show me your certification without works,
and I'll show my certification
*by* my works.

"Michael A. Covington" <look@ai.uga.edu.for.address> wrote in message
news:uVMiM8BVGHA.4348@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> My understanding is that .NET Framework can be installed under Windows 98
> and ME (not 95).
>
> Someone else said Windows 2000 and up. I wonder if .NET 1.0 and 2.0 are
> different in that regard.
>
> "Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
> news:OtqZTjBVGHA.1236@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...[color=green][color=darkred]
>>> At least 1.1 can be run in win9X not sure about 95 though. But I did
>>> run a couple of apps in 9X for a while[/color]
>>
>> I believe you, but I was going by the recommendations posted on the
>> Microsoft web site. As someone else pointed out, there are a number of
>> features that are lost in doing so.
>>
>> --
>> HTH,
>>
>> Kevin Spencer
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Professional Numbskull
>>
>> Show me your certification without works,
>> and I'll show my certification
>> *by* my works.[/color][/color]