2.5.1. Language interoperability

• Each .NET compiler
  • generates the same intermediate language,
  • uses the same simple types,
  • build new types in the same way,
  • ...
• For these reasons, we can easily build programs written in a number of different .NET languages.
• For example, a C# class can be derived from a VB class invoking constructors of the VB class and overriding some of its methods.

2.5.2. Tool support

• Debuggers can support programs where the code has been written in different .NET languages.
• IDEs (such as Visual Studio.NET) can use the CLR to provide information to the programmer developing a program.

2.5.3. Deployment

• All the code and any information needed to run an application is provided in a collection of files.
• An application is deployed by copying the files to an appropriate directory.
• An application is removed by removing this directory.

2.5.4. Versioning

• In .NET, a DLL file can be signed with a public key and a version number.
• In this way, a computer can have more than one DLL with the same name.