.NET Framework vs CLR

The .NET Framework has been RTM'ed in November 2006 (almost 1 year!), but there still seems to be a lot of confusion about the Framework. A lot of people still don't realise that the .NET Framework still uses the 2.0 version of the Common Language Runtime (CLR). Since this additive release to the .NET Framework, the CLR version number is no longer coupled to the .NET Framework version number. As a result, the 3.0 Framework is completely backward compatible with the earlier version and your 2.0 based applications will continue to run without modifications.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 (formerly WinFX), is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes.

Also the .NET Framework 3.5 will still use the CLR 2.0. This new Framework - currently in beta 2 - builds incrementally on the new features added in the .NET Framework 3.0. Also new features will be added as new assemblies to avoid breaking changes.

Still not sure? Check it out for yourself : you can find the installed .NET Frameworks in \Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework and via the CLRVer.exe command-line tool you can look for the installed versions of the Common Language Runtime. No CLR v3.0 yet ...

• More info on the .NET Framework
• More info on the Common Language Runtime