.NET Framework SDK vs .NET Framework

Question

At this URL https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5a4x27ek%28v=vs.110%29.aspx is said that

the .NET Framework is already installed into Windows 10, 8, etc.

But I don't understand if this installation contains compiler tools, etc.

In Java I can install only the JRE and only the SDK that contains the JRE.

Is this the same into Windows with .NET Framework?

Is there a .NET Framework and a .NET Framework SDK?

If I don't install Visual Studio but I have Windows 10 can I program for .NET?

Answer 1

You can program for .NET just with the tools that come with the .NET Framework installed on Windows 10, 8, 7, etc. - just fire up Notepad and start hacking away.

csc.exe is your C# compiler (vbc.exe if Visual Basic is more to your liking).

There are dedicated SDKs to develop .NET programs for various API/technologies like SharePoint, Exchange, etc.