Component needed to execute programs for Windows

.NET Framework (3)

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.NET Framework (3)

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Security Status

  • Latest Version

    .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 LATEST

  • Review by

    Marian Marinescu

  • Operating System

    Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7

  • User Rating

    Click to vote

  • Author / Product

    Microsoft Corporation / External Link

  • Filename

    dotnetfx35.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    d481cda2625d9dd2731a00f482484d86

.NET Framework is a software development platform developed by Microsoft. It serves as a foundation for creating a wide range of Windows applications, including desktop applications, web applications, and services. .NET Framework 3.0, also known as Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), brings significant improvements to user interface design, making it an essential tool for modern Windows application development.

.NET Framework Version 3.5 SP1 was introduced to the public in November of 2007, almost exactly one year after Microsoft released version 3.0  that first introduced Windows Presentation Foundation (Direct3D powered new users interface system and API), Windows Communication Foundation (integrated messaging system for application services), Windows Workflow Foundation (task automation and integrated transaction management), and Windows CardSpace (software component for safely storing and managing person’s digital identities and transaction data).

Version 3.5 improved upon all those services, adding additional support for operating systems, new services, and better compatibility with Windows Mobile and Windows Embedded CE devices. Service pack 1 arrived in August 2008, bringing performance improvements, new data services, assemblies for web development, and full compatibility with Windows 7.

Some of the new features added to the .NET Framework 3 are:
  • Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)
  • Workflow Foundation (WF)
  • Data awareness
  • Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
  • AJAX support
  • RSS and ATOM support
  • New graphic features
Other Features

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF): WPF is the highlight of .NET Framework 3.0. It offers a powerful and flexible way to create visually stunning user interfaces, allowing developers to build rich and interactive applications with ease.

Windows Communication Foundation (WCF): WCF simplifies the development of service-oriented applications, making it easier to create, consume, and manage web services and other communication protocols.

Windows Workflow Foundation (WF): WF provides a framework for building workflow-driven applications, streamlining complex business processes.

Windows CardSpace: This feature enhances security by simplifying the management of digital identities and credentials, improving the overall user experience.

Language Integrated Query (LINQ): LINQ allows developers to write queries directly in C# or Visual Basic, making it easier to work with data from various sources, including databases and XML.

User Interface

The user interface for the program primarily consists of development tools and libraries rather than a traditional application interface. Developers use Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio to leverage the power of .NET Framework's features.

Installation and Setup

Downloading: It can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website or through the Visual Studio installer, which includes the necessary components for development.

Installation: The installation process is straightforward, and the installer guides you through the necessary steps. It's important to ensure that you have the required system prerequisites before installation.

How to Use

To develop applications using .NET Framework 3.0, you'll need an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Visual Studio. Here are the basic steps to get started:

Create a New Project: Open Visual Studio, select "File" > "New" > "Project," and choose the appropriate project template based on your application type (WPF, WCF, etc.).

Design the User Interface: Use the intuitive design tools provided by WPF to create your application's user interface, including layout, graphics, and interactive elements.

Write Code: Use C# or Visual Basic to write the application's logic, utilizing the features of .NET Framework 3.0 as needed.

Debug and Test: Visual Studio offers robust debugging and testing tools to ensure your application works as intended.

Build and Deploy: Once your application is complete, build it and deploy it to the target environment.

FAQ

Is .NET Framework 3.0 backward compatible with older versions?
Yes, .NET Framework 3.0 is backward compatible with applications built on earlier versions of the framework. However, you may need to make some adjustments for seamless integration.

Can I use .NET Framework 3.0 to develop cross-platform applications?
No, .NET Framework 3.0 is primarily designed for Windows application development. If you need cross-platform support, consider .NET Core (now .NET 5 and later) or .NET 6.

Is .NET Framework 3.0 free to use?
Yes, .NET Framework 3.0 is free and can be downloaded and used for development without any cost.

What are the hardware requirements for .NET Framework 3.0 development?
The hardware requirements are generally modest, but they depend on the complexity of your applications. You'll need a Windows-based system with sufficient RAM and storage space.

Can I use .NET Framework 3.0 to build web applications?
While .NET Framework 3.0 focuses on Windows applications, Microsoft offers other frameworks like ASP.NET for web application development.

System Requirements
  • OS: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
  • Processor: 400 MHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Minimum); 1GHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Recommended)
  • RAM:96 MB (Minimum); 256 MB (Recommended)
  • Hard Disk: Up to 500 MB of available space may be required
  • CD or DVD Drive: Not required
  • Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors (Minimum); 1024 x 768 high color, 32-bit (Recommended)
PROS
  • Powerful platform for Windows application development.
  • Enhanced user interface design capabilities with WPF.
  • Integration with other Microsoft technologies.
  • Robust development and debugging tools.
  • Well-documented and supported by a vast developer community.
CONS
  • Limited cross-platform support (Windows-only).
  • Can be resource-intensive for complex applications.
  • Learning curve for beginners.
  • May require additional licensing for commercial distribution and support.
Conclusion

.NET Framework 3.0, with its focus on Windows application development, is a robust platform that continues to be relevant in the software development landscape. It empowers developers to create visually appealing and feature-rich applications, especially with the Windows Presentation Foundation.

While its primary limitation is its Windows-centric nature, alternatives like .NET 5 and .NET 6 offer improved cross-platform capabilities for those seeking broader compatibility. Whether you're a seasoned Windows developer or exploring the world of software development, .NET Framework 3.0 remains a valuable tool in your arsenal.

Download .NET Framework (3) Latest Version

  • .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Screenshot 1
  • .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Screenshot 2

What's new in this version:

.NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 provides the following new features and improvements:


* ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which provides a rich scaffolding framework that enables rapid data driven development without writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for managing browser history (back button support). For more information, see Whats New in ASP.NET and Web Development.

* Core improvements to the CLR (common language runtime) that include better layout of .NET Framework native images, opting out of strong-name verification for fully trusted assemblies, improved application startup performance, better generated code that improves end-to-end application execution time, and opting managed code to run in ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) mode if supported by the operating system. Additionally, managed applications that are opened from network shares have the same behavior as native applications by running with full trust.

* Performance improvements to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), including a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF includes better support for line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.

* ClickOnce application publishers can decide to opt out of signing and hashing as appropriate for their scenarios, developers can programmatically install ClickOnce applications that display a customized branding, and ClickOnce error dialog boxes support links to application-specific support sites on the Web.

* The Entity Framework is an evolution of the existing suite of ADO.NET data access technologies. The Entity Framework enables developers to program against relational databases in according to application-specific domain models instead of the underlying database models. For more information, see Getting Started with the Entity Framework. The Entity Framework introduces some additional features, including support for new SQL Server 2008 types, default graph serialization of Entities, and the Entity Data Source. This release of the Entity Framework supports the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008. The graph serialization work helps developers who want to build Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services that model full graphs as data contracts. The Entity Data Source provides a traditional data source experience for ASP.NET Web application builders who want to work with the Entity Framework.

* LINQ to SQL includes new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

* The ADO.NET Data Services Framework consists of a combination of patterns and libraries, which enable data to be exposed as a flexible REST (Representational State Transfer)-based data service that can be consumed by Web clients in a corporate network or across the Internet. The ADO.NET Data Services Framework makes data service creation over any data source. A conceptual view model of the underlying storage schema can easily be exposed through rich integration with the ADO.NET Entity Framework. Services created by using the ADO.NET Data Services Framework, and also compatible Windows Live (dev.live.com) services, can be easily accessed from any platform. For client applications that are running on Microsoft platforms, a set of client libraries are provided to make interaction with data services simple. For example, .NET Framework-based clients can use LINQ to query data services and a simple .NET Framework object layer to update data in the service.

* Windows Communication Foundation now makes the DataContract Serializer easier to use by providing improved interoperability support, enhancing the debugging experience in partial trust scenarios, and extending syndication protocol support for wider usage in Web 2.0 applications.

* The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

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