C# Programming and

.NET Concepts

Books for Reference

C# and the .NET Platform (2 Ed)

By Andrew Troelsen
Dreamtech Publications

Microsoft Visual C# .NET

By Mickey Williams
Microsoft Press

Chapter - 1

The Philosophy of .NET

Objectives
Understanding the previous state of
affairs
The .NET Solution
Building blocks of .NET Platform

CLR, CTS, and CLS

.NET Base Class Libraries

Understanding the
previous state of affairs
As a C/Win32 API Programmer

It is complex
C is a short/abrupt language
Manual memory management, ugly pointer
arithmetic, ugly syntactic constructs
Not a OO language

As a C++/MFC Programmer

Root is C
C++ with MFC is still complex and error-prone

As a VB 6 Programmer

Not a complete OOP (Object-aware) Why?

Doesnt support inheritance
No multithreading
No parameterized Classes
Low-level API calls are complex
5

Previous state of affairs

As a Java/J2EE Programmer

Use of Java front-to-back during development

cycle
No language freedom!
Pure Java is not suitable for graphic intensive
problems (E.g. 3D game)
No cross-language integration

As a COM Programmer

Complex creation of COM types

Active Template Library (ATL)
Forced to contend with brittle/fragile registration
entries
Deployment issues
6

.NET Solution
Full interoperability with existing Win32 Code

Existing COM binaries can interoperate with .NET binaries

Complete and total language integration

Supports cross-language inheritance, exception handling, and

debugging

Common runtime engine shared by all .NET aware

languages
A base class library

Good object model used by all .NET aware languages

No more COM plumbing!

No IClassFactory, IUnKnown, IDispatch, etc.

Truly simplified deployment model

No need to register a binary unit into the system registry

Allows multiple versions of same *.dll

.NET Framework
VB

C++

C#

JScript

J#

Common Language Specification

Windows
Forms

ADO.NET and XML

Base Class Library

Visual Studio.NET

ASP.NET
Web Forms Web Services

Common Language Runtime

Operating System
8

Building Blocks of .NET

CLR (Common Language Runtime)

To locate, load, and manage .NET types

Automatic memory management, language
integration, and type safety

CTS (Common Type System)

Describes all possible data types and

programming constructs supported by the
runtime

CLS (Common Language Specification)

A set of rules that defines a subset of types and

specifications
9

CLR

(Common Language Runtime)

CLR sits on top of OS (same as JVM of Java)

CLR loads modules containing executables and executes
them
Code may be managed or unmanaged
Managed code consists of instructions in pseudo random
code called CIL (Common Intermediate Language). CIL
instructions are JIT compiled into native machine code at
runtime
JIT compiled methods reside in cache until the applications
life time
Advantages of managed code: type safety, memory
management, and code verification security
CLR can translate code from C#, J#, C, C++, VB, and
Jscript into CIL.
CLR doesnt launch a new process for every application. It
launches one process and hosts individual applications in
application domains

10

Base Class Libraries

Encapsulates various primitives like: threads, file

IO, graphical rendering, and other interaction with

HW devices
It also provides: database manipulation, XML
integration, Web-enabled front-end.
Data Access

GUI

Threading

File IO

Base Class Libraries

XML/SOAP

Common Language Runtime

CTS

CLS
11

C#

Almost same as Java

No pointers required
Automatic memory management (No delete)
Enumeration, class, structure, etc.
Operator overloading allowed
Interface-based programming techniques
Assign characteristics to types (same as COM
IDL)
C# can produce code that can run only on .NET
environment (unlike COM server or Win32 API)
12

Understanding Assemblies
Windows applications have dependencies

on one or more DLLs

These DLLs may contain COM classes
registered in System registry
When these components are updated,
applications may break 'DLL hell'
Solution: .NET Assemblies
C# .NET compiler doesn't generate
machine code.
It is compiled into "assembly"

13

Understanding Assemblies
An assembly is a logical collection of one or
more EXE or DLL files containing an
application code & resources
.NET binaries not described using com
libraries & not registered into system
registry
.NET binaries contain platform agnostic
intermediate language (IL) & type metada

14

Assembly
C# source code

Metadata
C# .NET Compiler

IL
Assembly

Intermediate Language (IL/CIL):

Same as first pass of compiler. It can't be executed (it is not

in binary format)
Metadata

Describes the assembly contents [characteristics]

No need for component registry

Each assembly includes information about references to other

assemblies

E.g. If you have a class called Car in a given assembly, the

type metadata describes Car's base class, which interfaces
are implemented by Car, description of members of Car.

It is always present & is automatically generated by a

given .NET aware compiler
15

Assembly
When CLR loads your application, it examines your

program's metadata to know which external

assemblies are required for execution
Private assemblies

Used by single application

Is not shared

Most preferred method

Shared assemblies

Intended for multiple applications

Manifest

Assemblies themselves are described using metadata

manifest

The metadata of assemblies: version, list of

externally defined assemblies, etc.
16

Single-file & Multi-file Assembly

Single-file assemblies

Assemble composed of a single *.dll or *.exe module

It contains necessary CIL, metadata & manifest in a
autonomous, single, well defined package
Disadvantage -The end user may end up downloading
a large blocks of data that is not really needed

Multi-file assemblies

Composed of numerous ,NET binaries, each of which

termed as module
When building one module (i.e. primary module)
contains assembly manifest, CIL & metadata
Necessity when partition an assemble into discrete
modules, end up with a more flexible deployment
option.
17

The Role of CIL

CIL Common Intermediate Language
It is a language that sits on any platform
specific instruction set
Which .NET aware language select
compiler emits that CIL instructions
Eg: C# code models a calculator

18

Example of CIL

CIL sits above a specific compiler

(C#, J#, etc.)
The associated compiler emits CIL
instructions

using System;
namespace Calculator
{
public class CalcApp
{

public class Calc

{
public int Add(int x, int y)
{ return x + y; }
}
}

All .NET aware languages

emit same CIL instructions

public static void Main(string[] args)

{
Calc c = new Calc();
int ans = c.Add(10, 84);
Console.WriteLine(ans);
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

19

CIL of Add() Method

.method public hidebysig instance int32 Add(int32 x,
int32 y) cil managed
{
// Code size
8 (0x8)
.maxstack 2
.locals init ([0] int32 CS$00000003$00000000)
IL_0000: ldarg.1
IL_0001: ldarg.2
IL_0002: add
IL_0003: stloc.0
IL_0004: br.s
IL_0006
IL_0006: ldloc.0
IL_0007: ret
} // end of method Calc::Add
20

The Benefits of CIL

Language integration .NET aware

languages produce identical CIL

instructions. So all are able to interact
with a well defined binary form.
CIL is platform agnostic
.NET allows build application with
language choice

21

Compile CIL to PlatformSpecific Instructions

Entity that compile CIL code into CPU

instructions is called JIT (Just-In-Time)

Jitter
the jitter is well equipped for low
memory environment as well as high
memory environment

22

CIL to Execution
Desktop

CIL

JIT

Server

Pocket PC

Jitter compiles CIL instructions on the fly into

corresponding machine code and cache it. This is

useful for not recompiling, if the same method is
called again. Eg: Print()
23

The role of .NET type Metadata

.NET assembly contains full, complete &

accurate metadata, which describes each

& every type (class, structure,
enumeration etc.) defined in the binary,
as well as the members of each type
( properties, methods, events etc)
Eg. Metadata for Add() method
TypeDef #2 (02000003)
TypeDefName: calculatorExample.Cals
MethodName: Add( 06000003)
Flags:
RVA: 0x00002090
Implflags: [IL] [managed] (000000)
Return Type: I4

24

The role of .NET type Metadata

Metadata is used by various object

browsing utilities, debugging tools & the

c# compiler itself
It is a backbone of numerous .NET
technologies including remoting,
reflection, late binding, XML services, &
object serialization

25

The role of Assembly Manifest

Metadata that describe itself
Manifest documents all external

assemblies required by the current

assembly to function correctly, the
assembly version, copyright info. Etc
Eg: Csharpcalculator. Exe manifest

26

Manifest

External
Assembly

.assembly extern mscorlib

{
.publickeytoken = (B7 7A 5C 56 19 34 E0 89 )
.ver 1:0:5000:0
}
.assembly ConsoleApplication1
{

// .z\V.4..

.hash algorithm 0x00008004

.ver 1:0:2058:39833
}
.module ConsoleApplication1.exe
// MVID: {51BE4F31-CBD0-4AE6-BC9D-F9A4976795FD}
.imagebase 0x00400000
.subsystem 0x00000003
.file alignment 4096
.corflags 0x00000001
// Image base: 0x070b0000

27

Common Type System (CTS)

CTS is a formal specification that

describes how a given type must be

defined for CLR
CTS Class Type
CTS Structure Type
CTS Interface Type
CTS Enumeration type
CTS Delegate type
28

CTS Class Type

Same as C++ class
Can contain members: methods,

properties, events, etc.

Support for abstract members that
define a polymorphic interface for
derived classes
Multiple inheritance is not allowed

29

CTS Class Type

In c# classes are declared using class
keyword
// A c# class calc
{
public int Add( int x, int y)
{
return x+y;
}
}

30

CTS Class Characteristics

"sealed"? sealed classes can't function as

base classes
Implement any interfaces? An interface
is a collection of abstract members
Abstract or Concrete? Abstract classes
(to define common behaviors for derived)
can't be created directly but concrete
classes can.
Visibility? visibility attribute to know
whether external assemblies can use it.
31

 CTS Structure types

Same as C/C++

Derived from a common base class System.ValueType

Structures are suited for modeling geometric &

mathematical data.

C# use struct keyword

struct Point
{// structures can contain fields
public int xpos, ypos;
// structures can contain parameterized constructors
public point (int x, int y)
{ xpos = x; ypos = y;}
// structure may define methods
public void Display()
{
console. WriteLine(({0},{1}, xpos, ypos);
}
}

 CTS Interface Type

Same as pure abstract class of C++

These are collection of abstract member

definitions, which are supported by given class or
structure

.NET interfaces do not derive a common base

interface.

C# use interface keyword

CTS permits a given interface derive from multiple

base interfaces
public interface IDraw
{
void Draw();
}

33

 CTS Enumeration type

To group name/value pairs under a specific name

Default Storage: System.Int32 (could be changed)

CTS demands that enumerated types derive from a

common base class, System.Enum

C# use enum keyword

Public enum character type
{ wizard = 100, fighter = 300, thief = 200 }

CTS Delegate type

Same as C's function pointer, but derive from

System.MulticastDelegate

Useful for event handling (ASP .NET)

Support for multicasting & asynchronous method invocation

C# use delegate keyword

34

 CTS type members

A type member constrained by the set

{constructor, finalizer, operator etc.}
CTS defines adornments (i. e. visibility traits
public, private etc.)
Member may be declared as abstract for
polymorphic behavior on derived types
Also configured as ststic or instance entities

Intrinsic CTS Data Types

CTS have well defined intrinsic data types

Types define in mscorlib.lib
35

Intrinsic CTS Data Types

.NET Base Type

C# Type

System.Byte

Byte

System.SByte

sbyte

System.Int16

short

System.Int32

int

System.Int64

long

System.UInt64

ulong

System.Single

float

System.Double

double

System.Object

object

System.String

string

System.Boolean

bool
36

Common Language Specification

(CLS)

Set of guidelines that describe the minimal

and complete set of features a given .NET

aware compiler must support
C# uses + for concatenation whereas VB
.NET uses &
C# allows operator overloading but VB .NET
does not!
The void functions may differ in syntax:
' VB .NET

// C#

Public Sub Foo()

'.
End Sub

public void Foo()

{ . }
37

Common Language Specification

(CLS)

CLS must support to produce code

that can be hosted by CLR

The rules serve as a guide to thirdparty compiler designers & library
builders
CLS is the subset of CLT

38

CLS Compliance
C# Type

CLS Compliance

byte

Yes

sbyte

No

short

Yes

int

Yes

long

Yes

ulong

No

float

Yes

double

Yes

object

Yes

string

Yes

char

Yes

bool

Yes

39

Example
public class Calc
{
// CLS compliant
public int Add(int x, int y)
{ return x + y; }
// Not CLS compliant
public ulong Add(ulong x, ulong y)
{ return x + y; }
}

Once a method is CLS compliant, then all the

.NET aware languages can interact with that
implementation

40

Common Language Runtime

(CLR)
CLR is the heart & soul of the .NET

framework
CLR is a runtime environment - c# &
other .net languages are executed
Supports cross language interoperability
The fig shows major components of CLR
CLR
CTS
IL
Execution support function
garbage collection
class loader
memory layout

41

Common Language Runtime

(CLR)
CLR services

Loading & execution of programs

Memory isolation for applications
Verification of type safety
Compilation of IL into native executable code
Providing metadata
Memory mngt. (automatic garbage collection)
Enforcement of security
Interoperability with other language
Managing exceptions & errors
Support for tasks debugging & profiling
42

CLR

.NET
Source
Code

.NET Compiler
DLL or EXE
(CIL)
mscoree.dll
Class Loader

Base Class
Libraries
(mscorlib.dll)

Jitter
Platform
Specific code

mscoree.dll
MicroSoft Common
Object Runtime Execution Engine

Execute
.NET Execution Engine

.NET Namespace
MFC, Java, VB 6.0 have predefined set of
classes; C# doesn't

To keep all types within the base class

libraries, .NET platform use namespace

concept eg. System.IO

Any language targeting the .NET runtime

makes use of the same namespaces and
same types as C#

System is the root namespace

using directive used to import namespaces
44

Example in C#

System Namespace

using System;
public Class MyApp
{
Console class in
public static void Main() System
Namespace
{
Console.WriteLine("Hello World");
}
}
45

Example in VB .NET
Imports System
Public Module MyApp
Sub Main()
Console.WriteLine("Hello World")
End Sub
End Module

46

Example in Managed C++

#using <mscorlib.dll>
using namespace System;
void Main()
{
Console::WriteLine("Hello World");
}
all programs use console class defined in
the system namspace- beyond the syntatic
variations applications look alike, both
physically & logically
47

Sample .NET namespaces

System

primitive types, garbage

collection, etc

System.Collections

Container objects: ArrayList,

Queue, etc.

System.Data
System.Data.Common
System.Data.OleDb
System.Data.SqlClient

For Database manipulations

ADO .NET

System.IO

file IO, buffering, etc.

System.Drawing
System.Drawing.2D

GDI+ primitives, bitmaps, fonts,

icons, etc.

System.Threading

Threads
48

Accessing the Namespace

In c# - use keyword using
Eg: using System;
using System.Drawing;
using Syatem.Windows.Forms;
Once specified namespaces, they are
free to create instances of the types
they contain
49

Eg: create an instance of

bitmaap class
// explicitly list the namespaces
using System;
Using syatem.Drawing()
Class Myapp()
{
pubplic void Display logo()
{
Bitmap Companylogo = new bitmap(20.20);
..
}
}
50

// Not listing System.Drawing namespace

using System;
Class Myapp()
{
pubplic void Display logo()
{ // use fully qualified name
Syatem.Drawing.Bitmap Companylogo = new
Syatem.Drawing.bitmap(20.20);
..
}
}
using helps to create short hand notation for specifying a
types fully qualified name
51

 using helps to create short hand

notation for specifying a types fully

qualified name
Referencing external assemblies

Majority of the .NET framework

assemblies are located under specific
directory called Global Assembly Cache
(GAL)
On windows machine, this can be located
under %windir%\Assembly
52

Using ildasm.exe
Intermediate Language Disassembler

utility
It allows to load up any .NET
assembly & investigate its contents,
including associated manifest, CIL &
type metadata
ildasm.exe installed under c:\program
files\ microsoft visual studio8\
SDK\v2.0\bin
53

Using ildasm.exe
Viewing CIL code double click the

main() method of perticular

application class
Viewing type metadata press ctrl+M
to view currently loaded assembly
Viewing assembly metadata double
click on MANIFEST icon

54

Deplyoing the .NET runtime

.NET assemblies can be executed only

on a m/c that has the .NET

framework installed
Available frame work - .NET frame
work 2.0 SDK, Visual studio 2005
Setup package dotnetfx.exe (then it
contain .NET base class libraries, .NET
runtime & .NET infrastructures [ such
as GAC])
55

Questions
What is .net Framework? With a neat diagram

explain the building blocks of .net platform?

Explain with neat diagram the workflow that takes
place b/w your source code, .net execution engine?
What are the key features of c#?
Write short notes on CIL & Assembly manifest
What is CLR? What are the features of CLR
What is CTS? List out some Intrinsic CTS
datatypes?
Explain the functions of .NET runtime (CLR)
Explain about .net namespaces?
56

Questions
Write short notes on: .net binaries & .net

type metadata
Explain briefly about ILDASM?
Briefly discuss the state of affairs that
eventually led to the .NET platform. What is
the .NET solution and what C# brings to
the table.
Write the difference b/w single-file &
multifile assemblies.
What are namespaces? List and explain the
purpose of at least five namespaces.
57

End of Chapter 1

58