.NET Framework versions

In this article we will clarify the different components of .NET Framework. Often, there is a confusion between .NET versions, Visual Studio, Common Language Runtime (CLR), and C#.

.NET Framework:

The framework includes the runtime, the libraries,  and the compilers.

• Version 1.0 - released in 2002
• Version 1.1 - released in 2003
• Version 2.0 - released in 2005
• Version 3.0 - released in 2006
• Version 3.5 - released in 2007
• Version 4.0 - released in 2010
• Version 4.5 - released in 2012
• Version 4.6 - released in 2015 

Visual Studio:

Visual Studio is the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) of Microsoft.

• Version 2002 - released in 2002
• Version 2003 - released in 2003
• Version 2005 - released in 2005
• Version 2008 - released in 2007 
• Version 2010 - released in 2010
• Version 2012 - released in 2012
• Version 2015 - released in 2015

Common Language Runtime (CLR):

The CLR is the runtime environment , it is the Microsoft implementation of Common Language Infrastructure (CLI).

• Version 1.0 - released in 2002 with the framework .NET 1.0
• Version 1.1 - released in 2003 with the framework .NET 1.1
• Version 2.0 - released in 2005 with the framework .NET 2.0 (service pack is published in 2008 with the version 3.0 of framework)
• Version 4.0 - released in 2010 with the framework .NET 4.0 

 C#:

C# is the programming language, its versions are independent from the .NET framework versions.

• Version 1.0 - Compiler released in 2002 with the framework .NET 1.0
• Version 1.2 - Compiler released in 2003 with the framework .NET 1.1
• Version 2.0 - Compiler released in 2005 with the framework .NET 2.0
• Version 3.0 - Compiler released in 2007 with the framework .NET 3.5
• Version 4.0 - Compiler released in 2010 with the framework .NET 4.0
• Version 5.0 - Compiler released in 2012 with the framework .NET 4.5
• Version 6.0 - Compiler released in 2015 with the framework .NET 4.6

The following table summarize the above explanations:

 

How to determine which .NET version is installed:

We will determine which .NET version is installed by viewing the registry:

.NET Framework 1 - 4:

1. On the Start menu, choose Run.

2. In the Open box, enter regedit.exe.You must have administrative credentials to run regedit.exe.

3. In the Registry Editor, open the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP
  
The installed versions are listed under the NDP subkey.The version number is stored in the Version entry.For the .NET Framework 4 the Version entry is under the Client or Full subkey (under NDP), or under both subkeys.

.NET Framework 4.5 and later:

1. On the Start menu, choose Run.

2. In the Open box, enter regedit.exe.You must have administrative credentials to run regedit.exe.

3. In the Registry Editor, open the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full

4.Check for a DWORD value named Release.The existence of the Release DWORD indicates that the .NET Framework 4.5 or newer has been installed on that computer.

The value of the Release DWORD indicates which version of the .NET Framework is installed:  References:  https://msdn.microsoft.com/fr-fr/library/hh925568%28v=vs.110%29.aspx http://stackoverflow.com/questions/247621/what-are-the-correct-version-numbers-for-c  https://www.areaprog.com/csharp/article-563-les-versions-de-net-comprendre-les-versions-des-differents-composants