Microsoft has provided a version of the .NET Framework v3.5 for the general public.

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 contains many new features that are compatible with both .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0. .NET Framework 3.5 includes several fixes for .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0.

Overview

.NET Framework 3.5 builds incrementally on the new features added in .NET Framework 3.0, for example, Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows CardSpace. In addition, .NET Framework 3.5 contains a number of new features in several technology areas. These new features have been added as new assemblies to avoid breaking changes. They include the following:

• Deep integration of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness. This new feature will let you write code written in LINQ-enabled languages to filter, enumerate, and create projections of several types of SQL data, collections, XML, and DataSets by using the same syntax.
• ASP.NET AJAX lets you create more efficient, more interactive, and highly-personalized Web experiences that work across all the most popular browsers.
• New Web protocol support for building WCF services including AJAX, JSON, REST, POX, RSS, ATOM, and several new WS-* standards.
• Full tooling support for WF, WCF, and WPF, including the new workflow-enabled services technology.
• New classes in .NET Framework 3.5 base class library (BCL) address the most common customer requests.

IMPORTANT:

• If you have installed earlier versions of .NET Framework 3.5, for example, the Beta 1 version, then you must uninstall them by using Add or Remove Programs before you install the Beta 2.

.NET Framework 3.5 is expected to be released near the end of 2007. It will be included in Visual Studio 2008 and will also continue to be available for separate download on MSDN. For more information about the features that are being introduced in .NET Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008, see: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/aa700830.aspx

System Requirements

• Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP
• Processor: 400 MHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Minimum); 1GHz Pentium processor or equivalent (Recommended)
• RAM: 96 MB (Minimum); 256 MB (Recommended)
• Hard Disk: Up to 500 MB of available space may be required
• CD or DVD Drive: Not required
• Display: 800 x 600, 256 colors (Minimum); 1024 x 768 high color, 32-bit (Recommended)