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What is Microsoft .Net Framework 4?

Note

This article relates to both the TM2 and TM3 versions of the desktop software.

What is Microsoft .NET Framework?

Well, the simple answer is that TM2/TM3 needs this to run and create your database and so do most computers.

But for a technical 'Nerdy' answer, Wikipedia lists the following as the basic description of this service -

(Skip this blurb unless you really want to know, it is rather boring though!)

.NET Framework (pronounced dot net) is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large class library known as Framework Class Library (FCL) and provides language interoperability (each language can use code written in other languages) across several programming languages. Programs that are written for .NET Framework execute in a software environment (as contrasted to hardware environment), known as Common Language Runtime (CLR), an application virtual machine that provides services such as security, memory management, and exception handling. FCL and CLR together constitute .NET Framework.

FCL provides a user interface, data access, database connectivity, cryptography, web application development, numeric algorithms, and network communications. Programmers produce software by combining their own source code with .NET Framework and other libraries. .NET Framework is intended to be used by most new applications created for Windows platform. Microsoft also produces an integrated development environment largely for .NET software called Visual Studio.

The original Wikipedia article can be viewed here.

So, how do you install it?

Well first of all, it already is (In some iteration) all Windows Operating systems come with this already installed, so you should first check to see what version you have, to make sure you have the version that is up to date and compatible with TM2/TM3.

  1. Click on the Start button (The little Windows Icon in the bottom left of your desktop) and go to the Control Panel listed.
  2. For the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems click on the Program and Features button.

If you have Microsoft .NET Framework 4 installed it will be listed as part of your installed programs.

Ensure that you have both .NET Framework 4 items listed i.e.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended

Info

.NET Framework 4.5 is also compatible with TM2/TM3

If you only have the one item listed, you need to re-install the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 software again (link below). This will install the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended item.

But I don’t have Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Installed on my computer?

To install Microsoft .NET Framework 4 you will need to refer to the Microsoft Download Centre website.

Alternatively, the software can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website here.

When this is downloaded and executed, it will install Microsoft.Net Framework 4 onto your computer.

Remember as mentioned earlier there should two items relating to .NET 4.

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Extended

If you only have the one item listed, you need to re-install the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 software again.

Info

It is extremely important that you install this .NET Framework 4 version, TM2/TM3 requires this version to run on.

If you are unable to install .NET Framework 4 or receive an error when doing so, this will be a Microsoft/PC related error which must be addressed either by Microsoft or your IT personnel.