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Ease of deployment and configuration
Deploying windows applications especially that used COM components were always been a tedious task. Since .NET does not require any registration as such,
much of the deployment is simplified. This makes XCOPY deployment viable. Configuration is another area where .NET – especially ASP.NET – shines over
traditional languages. The configuration is done via special files having special XML vocabulary. Since, most of the configuration is done via configuration files,
there is no need to sit in front of actual machine and configure the application manually. This is more important for web applications; simply FTPing new
configuration file makes necessary changes.
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Security
Windows platform was always criticized for poor security mechanisms. Microsoft has taken great efforts to make .NET platform safe and secure for enterprise
applications. Features such as type safety, code access security and role based authentication make overall application more robust and secure.
1.4 Installing the .NET Framework SDK
Now that you have fare idea of what .NET I and what it can do for you, it is time to install .NET framework SDK on your machine. Following sections will tell you
everything you need to know for installing .NET framework.
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Hardware Requirements
In order to install .NET framework SDK following hardware is required: - ComputerProcessor : Intel Pentium class, 133 megahertz MHz or higher
- Minimum RAM Requirements : 128 megabytes MB 256 MB or higher recommended
- Hard Disk : o
Hard disk space required to install: 600 MB o
Hard disk space required: 370 MB - Display : Video: 800x600, 256 colors
- Input Device : Microsoft mouse or compatible pointing device
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Software Requirements
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later is required
- Microsoft Data Access Components 2.6 is also required Microsoft Data Access Components 2.7 is recommended
- Operating System : o
Microsoft Windows® 2000, with the latest Windows service pack and critical updates available from the Microsoft Security Web page
o Microsoft Windows XP – Microsoft Windows XP Professional if you
want to run ASP.NET o
Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 Note: If you want to simply run .NET applications then you can also run them on
Microsoft Windows XP Home edition, Windows Millennium Edition Windows ME and Windows 98.
Here are some URLs that you will find handy in making your system up-to-date for above software requirements.
Internet Explorer 6 can be downloaded from http:www.microsoft.comwindowsiedownloadsie6default.asp
Microsoft Data Access Components 2.7 can be downloaded from http:www.microsoft.comdatadownload_270RTM.htm
Various Windows service packs and patches can be obtained from http:www.microsoft.comdownloadssearch.asp
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Where to get .NET Framework SDK
As mentioned earlier .NET framework SDK is freely downloadable from MSDN site. Visit
http:msdn.microsoft.comdownloadsdefault.asp?url=downloadssample.asp?url =msdn-files027000976msdncompositedoc.xml
and download it now. The total download size is 137,363,456 bytes approximately 131 Mb. For your
convenience Microsoft has provided multi-part version of the entire download. If you are unable to download the SDK from MSDN web site, check out popular PC
magazines around. Many of them contain .NET Framework SDK on their companion CD.
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Starting the installation
Note: If you already have a previous version of .NET installed on the machine then it must first be uninstalled. Refer ReadMe files that ship with .NET
framework SDK. These files contain valuable information related to installation, system requirements and trouble shooting.
In order to start the installation, you need to run the setup program that is available with the download mentioned above. A wizard will guide you with
necessary process. It will also allow you to select various components of the framework.
After the installation is complete it is a good idea to apply .NET framework Service pack 1. The service pack fixes some of the bugs. It can be downloaded
from:
http:msdn.microsoft.comnetframeworkdownloadssp1default.asp
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Installing Samples and Quick Start Tutorials
.NET framework comes with an excellent set of tutorials that help you learn various technologies such as ASP.NET and windows forms. In order to configure
the tutorials follow Start menu - Program - Microsoft .NET Framework SDK - Samples and Quick Start Tutorials. This will open up a HTML document that
will guide you through the process of configuring the samples and tutorials.
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Installing MSDE
.NET framework samples and quick start tutorials require a Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine MSDE. MSDE is scaled down version of SQL Server. The
samples use databases from the MSDE. In order to work with the samples make sure you have started an instance of MSDE. You can use this MSDE for creating
your own databases for testing applications.
Coming Next…
By the time you must have got idea about what .NET is and what it can do for you. You probably will have installed .NET on your machine waiting eagerly to try hands on it.
However, before you go into the code level details, it is essential that you firmly understand certain fundamentals. In the next section we will demystify some intrinsic
concepts and features of .NET framework.
2. Introduction to the .NET Initiative and the .NET Platform
