A lot of people get crazy with all this version. So, I will try to sum up what is difference between all this releases!
.NET framework 1.1 :
It is the basic framework, so, I will not take the time to explain what is inside because I have ever talk enough about it…
.NET framework 2.0:
It is bring a lot of evolution in class of the framework and refactor some control.
The other big evolution here is on language with support of :
- generics
- anonymous methods
- partial class
- nullable type
- …
.NET framework 3.0:
This framework is the key for developing application under Vista.
It is just a set of assembly which use XML to map:
- Communication (WCF)
- View (WPF)
- Workflow (WWF)
- Digital identity (CardSpace)
The framework is still the .NET framework2.0 behind it.
For a lot of developer this is not a real framework.
.NET framework 3.5:
It implement Linq evolution in language. So we have the folowing evolution in class:
- Linq for SQL, XML, Dataset, Object
- Addin system
- p2p base class
- Active directory
- ASP.NET Ajax
.NET framework 2.1:
The last baby is the 2.1 because it is a subset of 2.0 framework with some little additionnal features.
This framework bring nothing and is just make to be smallest for Silverlight.
Duff show 
I think you should talk about the “Virtual Machine”, the “Class library” and the “Language features” or “C# features” as independent items.
For example, for .NET 2.0, we have:
– Virtual Machine: Support for generics
– Class Library: Generic classes (including Nullable )
– C# Features: Generics, partial classes, nullable types, anonymous methods etc
Features like partial classes or anonymous methods can be implemented for 1.1 (they are available with mcs, which targets 1.1).
spelling and grammer 🙂
“which” rather then “witch”
@Juan: I have regroup the VM and the C# features. I know that we can cut as you said because VM support other language but most of people use C#. So I regroup the language part and the VM.
@Zac: I am a wizard ^^
Pingback: What are the differences between .NET 2.0,3.0 & 3.5? « A Place for C Sharpers/.Netters