Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 is a complete growing update that contains various new features building incrementally upon .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and involves increasing servicing updates to the .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.0 subcomponents.

The .NET Framework version 3.5 improves scalability and presentation of applications with the help of new improved caching, application deployment and updating with ClickOnce, sustain for the broadest collection of browsers and devices with ASP.NET 3.5 controls and services.

The .NET Framework is Microsoft's managed code programming model for building applications that have visually stunning user experiences, faultless and safe communication, and the capability to model a range of business processes. In addition to the .NET Framework 3.5, it involves Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), and Windows Card Space.

The new improved features of .NET Framework version 3.5 Service Pack 1 are as follows:

•    ASP.NET Dynamic Data, which gives a rich scaffolding framework that, enables fast data driven development excluding writing code, and a new addition to ASP.NET AJAX that provides support for organizing browser history (back button support).
•    Performance improvements to WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), adding a faster startup time and improved performance for Bitmap effects. Additional functionality for WPF involves superior support for the line of business applications, native splash screen support, DirectX pixel shader support, and the new WebBrowser control.
•    LINQ to SQL involves new support for the new date and file stream capabilities in SQL Server 2008.
•    The .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (SqlClient) adds new support for file stream and sparse column capabilities in SQL Server 2008.

The .NET Framework 3.5 is the newest form of the mainstream Windows programming environment. Built on and extending its predecessors, its aim is to support the creation of modern applications. By building its different technologies on a general foundation, Microsoft is striving to create the entire greater than the sum of the parts, letting developers compose applications that use the different parts of the .NET Framework 3.5 in a coherent way.

From its first release in 2002, the .NET Framework has developed into the leading platform for fresh Windows applications. Used extensively today by enterprises, ISVs, and Microsoft itself, the Framework has proved its value. Jointly with Visual Studio 2008, the .NET Framework 3.5 represents Microsoft’s current state of the art in application development.