.NET and Automation Framework technology

Microsoft .NET is the basis of Automation Framework. Microsoft .NET Framework is an integrated Windows component that is used to create and manage the future generation of software and web services.

Why did Microsoft develop a new technology?

During the past 10 years, Microsoft has continuously improved its Windows^® platform and the corresponding APIs and developer tools. An example is the development of COM, DCOM and finally COM+ which allow the reuse of software. Here, the problem is that the tools and languages become more and more elaborated and advanced and thus more complex because, of course, earlier versions and tools have to be further supported.

.NET seems to be a serious attempt to change this. Microsoft has developed a completely new framework that allows to realize most of the programming tasks quite easy. (When doing so, the downward compatibility is ensured, i.e. your "old" code still works but the development of new code is significantly easier.)

.NET technology: Features and advantages at a glance

The concept of .NET opens up many advantages even in control technology:

• .NET is a forward-looking software strategy for the software tools, software platforms and functional engineering.
• First experiences have shown that software tools used, for example, to parameterize and diagnose automation devices can be realized at least twice as fast than before.
• Consistent and homogenous software platforms for optimal support of the products are economically viable.
• .NET is a standard technology which provides the user with a high degree of individual design opportunities.
• The .NET platform also provides numerous development opportunities (such as web services) for the following years.
• Now, most of the operations you want to perform in Windows such as data access, window technique, Internet connection and many functions of the Win32 API are now available via a simple object model (FCL, Framework Class Library).
• Applications can be developed in different programming languages: The programming language Visual Basic was enhanced. Now it contains classes and provides most of the features that were formerly available in C++. The new language C# was introduced. It combines the efficiency of C++ with the simplicity of VB. The most important programming languages came closer to each other as a result of which code written in VB, C++ and C# can be mixed. Now, you can for example write a class in VB, then derive a C# class (or C++) from the VB class and switch between the languages in the debugger.
• Components are combined into new units, the so-called assemblies. An assembly is self-explanatory to a large extent as a result of which the installation and use is very simple.
• Managed modules: A managed module is a compiled class. This class is managed and performed by the CLR.
• CLR (Common Language Runtime): Runtime engine by Microsoft for all .NET based applications, according to the virtual Java machine, with just-in-time compilation of the intermediate code (IL code) and memory management.
• IL (or MSIL, Microsoft Intermediate Language): IL is an intermediate language that is compiled by the CLR into native code. Native code is the processor-specific code (same as compiled C++ code).

Automation Framework: .NET for automation engineering

Automation Framework is an extension of the Microsoft.NET Framework especially for the automation industry.

Automation Framework is no "classic" and closed application but consists of several components which can be used depending on the actual application case. These basic components can be extended by further components. Here, Automation Framework ensures the simple integration, enables the required communication between the integrated components and guarantees the consistent data management.