Conclusion
Since its original release in 2002, the .NET Framework has become the foundation for a majority of new Windows applications. Judging from the evidence so far, it has surely been a success for Microsoft and for its customers. While the move to the .NET environment forces developers to climb a long learning curve, the benefits appear to be worth the effort. For the people who use it, this technology qualifies as one more step toward the ultimate goal: producing the best possible software in the least amount of time.