Get Started

Getting started with the .NET Micro Framework is as simple as 1-2-3.

1 -	Download and install Visual C# Express and the .NET Micro Framework SDK
2 -	Write your code using the built-in emulator to prototype
3 -	Deploy to your chosen hardware by flipping a switch

Here is a link to our MSDN site that provides more details and sample code.

If you already have development experience within the Visual Studio environment, the .NET Micro Framework provides an easy path to embedded development using the same tools.

If you are a hobbyist with some development experience and would like to learn more about embedded development, we recommend joining our discussion forum here. The discussion forum is a great place to network with others like you and to learn more about how people around the world are leveraging the .NET Micro Framework to create cool new devices of the future, today!

Here are two books that provide detailed information on programming with the .NET Micro Framework:

“Expert .NET Micro Framework” by Jens Kühner
“Embedded Programming with the Microsoft .NET Micro Framework” by Donald Thompson and Rob S. Miles

Smallest Footprint	64KB RAM, 256KB Flash
Processor	ARM7 (with or without MMU) ARM Cortex M3 ARM9 ADI BlackFin
Real-time OS	.NET Micro Framework is not real-time, but can be hosted on a real-time OS as an option
Application development	Managed code using Visual Studio 2008 and C# Native C/C++ code interop capabilities
Tools	Visual Studio 2008 + .NET MF SDK: application development Visual Studio 2008 + .NET MF Porting Kit + native platform compiler: interop and custom BSPs
Support	10-year product support life cycle Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Partner resources / ecosystem