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 compilation, the compiled code is converted into 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. It provides exception handling, garbage collection and thread management. CLR is common to all versions of the .NET framework.

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