BleepingComputer.com: Wndows net frame

From time to time when I check for updates to windows xp there is one their that is for "net framework" undate. I haven't updated this yet. What is it? and should I update?

.NET framework is an API.
In short, an API is a program that doesn't do anything on it's own, but allows you to write other programs more easily.

For example, a programmer can write his own to code to do common stuff like formatting the date, displaying a dialog box, etc.
But it would be much easier to write one generic API, and have everyone use that.

I'm not sure which update you're seeing, there are several related to .NET:
o If it's an UPDATE then you'll want it, it will probably fix security and stability issues.
o If it's the .NET package then you don't need it, but it would not harm installing it (Takes a while though).

Windows .Net Framework is a package of commonly used software that other programmers can use to enhance their software. It is, in many ways, Microsoft's version of Java. It provides lots of little goodies and tools for programmers so that they don't have to write their own goodies and tools.

Programs made with Microsoft's Visual basic .Net rapid application development kit (a popular kit for programmers) require that the .Net Framework be installed on your computer in order to run. Some programs that use .Net require newer versions, so without updating you won't be able to run these programs. You already have a version, it came with Windows. However, like all software products the .Net Framework is regularly updated with new features and security fixes, ergo updating is a good idea.


Edit: Damn you, Carpetsmoker, and your evil fast typing!!

This post has been edited by Amazing Andrew: 31 March 2009 - 05:53 PM