.NET Framework FAQ : What is the Common Language Runtime (CLR)?
The Common Language Runtime is the execution engine for .NET Framework applications.
It provides a number of services, including the following:
- Code management (loading and execution)
- Application memory isolation
- Verification of type safety
- Conversion of IL to native code
- Access to metadata (enhanced type information)
- Managing memory for managed objects
- Enforcement of code access security
- Exception handling, including cross-language exceptions
- Interoperation between managed code, COM objects, and pre-existing DLLs (unmanaged code and data)
- Automation of object layout
- Support for developer services (profiling, debugging, and so on)