Microsoft Technology: Answers for StartUps

In one of the startup groups, there was a question on the commercials of doing a startup with Microsoft Technologies. Specifically, the question was: “ I would like to know the commercial implications on developing a solution on dotnet. Is there a license one needs to purchase from Microsoft for developing a software on dotnet platform? When the software is sold then does each commercial license of software requires dotnet license to be purchased from Microsoft ?” While many folks would already know about the above, I am reproducing my answer in order to help any startup out there looking for information on using Microsoft technologies. So here it goes: Upfront, one thing should be clear as water - .NET framework is completely FREE of cost to install. The tools to develop on .NET is a IDE called Visual Studio may be needed to be bought. However, MS has come out with various programs that give out .NET Development tools for free. These options includes FREE Vis...