Common Language Runtime

The CLR converts CIL to native code.

The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is the virtual machine component of Microsoft's .NET framework and is responsible for managing the execution of .NET programs. In a process known as just-in-time (JIT) compilation, the CLR compiles the intermediate language code known as CIL into the machine instructions that in turn are executed by the computer's CPU. The CLR provides additional services including memory management, type safety and exception handling. All programs written for the .NET framework, regardless of programming language, are executed by the CLR.

The CLR is Microsoft's implementation of the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) standard.

See also

• Common Intermediate Language
• .NET Framework
• Java Virtual Machine

External links

• Components of Common Language Runtime
• Components of CLR
• Overview of the .NET Framework 4.0
• .NET Framework Conceptual Overview