Feb
11
2016
The Microsoft .NET framework offers language interoperability across multiple key programming languages with a CLR (Common Language Runtime), essentially a virtual machine that supports memory management, security and exception handling. Together with the Framework Class Library, the CLR constitutes the .NET framework, which Microsoft began developing in the late 1990s with beta versions of .NET 1.0 released in late 2000.
With the introduction of .NET Core in late 2014, Microsoft made an effort to include complete cross-platform support for .NET. While there is no official .NET language, C# is far and away the most popular language used in the .NET ecosystem - most software engineers utilize C# since it is such a powerful object-oriented language. However, how can you effectively get started on this (relatively) complex development platform? There are multitudes of ways to learn more about .NET online and interact with the robust global programming community.
If you’re in the market for a solid, open-source content management system, then it’s highly likely that the name DotNetNuke has come up at least once in conversations or in your research.
MSDN
While anyone with experience with Microsoft Office software may pooh-pooh the idea of Microsoft being able to provide excellent support, the Microsoft Developer Support Network (MSDN) is a massive archive of resources for developers at all levels, including sample code, detailed documentation and networking with other professionals.
DotNetCodeGeeks.com
This independent community of NCGs (.NET Code Geeks) focuses on creating the ultimate resource center for .NET developers and is targeted to everyone from project managers through lead technical architect. You’ll find a multitude of white papers, tutorials, code snippets and even open source projects. The global editorial team reads like a Who’s Who of .NET design. Find information about Visual Studio, .NET, Agile and more as well as a strong knowledge base contributed by the larger programming community and master editors.
Stack Overflow
If you have a question about programming, chances are that someone else has asked (and gotten an answer to) the same question on Stack Overflow. No matter how unusual your question, this strong development community self-moderates well and allows the best answers to bubble to the top through a stringent voting system. Even better, Stack Overflow offers you a way to raise your profile as a .NET programmer among the community – which could lead to offers for collaboration in the future.
DexV
Their tagline is ‘The know-how behind application development’ and when you see the variety of resources available, you’ll believe it. Whether it’s a research center, eBook library, information on mobile, enterprise, open source or blogs you’re browsing, you are certain to find some unique ideas that you can weave into your current projects – and some tips and tricks on how to do it at the same time. New posts are being added all the time - often more than one per day – and many of them are on topics that are immediately applicable to .NET developers although you will also find upcoming and niche technologies such as speech tech and robotics. This particular site even has a specific VB classic space, something you may not find in all .NET developer-focused sites since the language isn’t as widely used as it once was.
.NET Key Bloggers
If you want to know what’s moving and shaking in the .NET community – learn how to write better code and develop better and more intuitive projects - then it helps to watch what some of the best .NET developers in the world are doing. These are only a few of our favorite bloggers, but you’re certain to get some inspiration from this strong community.
Scott Allen – With 25 years of commercial software development experience to draw upon, Scott Allen blogs at OdetoCode.com and has a wide range of platforms under his belt from Windows to embedded and web platforms. Working with everyone from startups to Fortune 500 companies, Scott is an accomplished writer and speaker as well as Pluralsight author and a host of the podcast Herding Code.
David Ebbo – Currently the lead developer on the Windows Azure Web Sites team, and a member of Project Kudu. His blog is very active and provides a window into the ongoing work at Microsoft – see what’s in the works before it actually works.
Scott Koon –His blog is LazyCoder.com, yet his blog has little to do with lazy programmers and everything to do with innovation. “Lazy” to Scott means coders are always looking for a better and faster way for users to perform an action – utilizing macros, code snippets and templates – to optimize the user experience.
Microsoft .NET is a vital and robust platform, with a wide range of support for developers, as long as you know where to look to find the goods.
Sources:
https://www.roberthalf.com/technology/blog/5-resources-for-microsoft-net-developers
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-web-sites-every-microsoft-net-developer-should-know-about/
https://blog.newrelic.com/2014/03/12/20-net-developers-follow-online/
http://tutorialzine.com/2014/09/50-awesome-tools-and-resources-for-web-developers/
http://blog.rackspace.com/how-i-learned-microsoft-net/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Framework
http://www.devx.com/