What is .Net and Visual Studio.Net?

What is .NET?

• .Net is not a programming Language.
• .Net is a Framework or programming platform developed by Microsoft Corporation which supports several programming languages including C# (C Sharp), VB.NET, J# and managed C++. It provides a common set of class libraries, which can be accessed from any .NET based programming language. There is no separate set of classes and libraries for each language. If we know any one .NET language, we can write code in any .NET language.
• When we write code in any .Net language and compile, it will be converted to an 'Intermediate Language' (Microsoft Intermediate Language - MSIL). So, our compiled executable contains the IL and not really executable machine language. When the .NET application runs, the .NET framework in the target computer take care of the execution. The .NET framework converts the calls to .NET class libraries to the corresponding APIs of the Operating system.
• It is Microsoft's application development platform that enables developers to easily create Windows applications, web applications, and web services using several programming languages, and without having to worry about low-level details like memory management and processor-specific instructions.
• It is a layer between the operating system and programming language.

What is Visual Studio.NET?

• Visual Studio.NET is just an editor, provided by Microsoft to help developers write .NET programs easily. VS.NET editor automatically generates lot of code, allow developers to drag and drop controls to a form, provide short cuts to compile and build the application etc. 
• Visual Studio is a suite of applications created by Microsoft to give developers a compelling development environment for the Windows and .NET platforms. Visual Studio can be used to write console applications, Windows applications, Windows services, Windows Mobile applications, ASP.NET applications, and ASP.NET web services, using C++, C#, VB.NET, J#, and more.