.NET Framework dependency

Question

When developing a desktop application in .NET, is it possible to not require the .NET Framework? Is developing software in .NET a preferred way to develop desktop applicati

Answer 1

I guess what I'm trying to say is that when I look at system requirements for certain software I rarely ever see the .NET Framework as being a requirement. So, I always wonder how they get by without it being a requirement (if they developed the software in .NET). So, I just assume that most commercial software is not written in .NET so that's why I'm asking this question. Hope that cleared some things up.

Many applications developed with C++/MFC for Windows desktops require a specific version of the MFC runtime DLLs even though it may not be explicitly listed as a requirement. I believe the same is becoming true with applications requiring .NET.

For example, the application I work on ships with redistributable files for both .NET and the particular version of MFC that we require as well as a number of other required components. Our install program will install any components not currently installed on the users system. Every release over the past several years has used more .NET code than the previous release.

I do not think it is accurate to assume that most commercial software does not use .NET just because its not listed as a requirement. I don't think you can accurately assume anything from that.