.NET 2.0 or 3.5?

Question

Our clients use a vb6 version of our software.

We are upgrading them to a .NET application written in C#...

Is there less bulk using .net 2.0 than .net 3.5?

My definition of less bulk would be: Smaller size, smaller installation time, etc.

Most of them probably already have 2.0 anyway.

I only ask because I would like to take advantage of LINQ in 3.5.

Answer 1

For taking advantage of LINQ, you need 3.5 (unless you want to use LINQBridge with 2.0).

For a smaller installer, .Net 3.5 Sp1 has a new feature called "Client Profile".

The .NET Framework Client Profile setup contains just those assemblies and files in the .NET Framework that are typically used for client application scenarios. For example: it includes Windows Forms, WPF, and WCF. It does not include ASP.NET and those libraries and components used primarily for server scenarios. We expect this setup package to be about 26MB in size, and it can be downloaded and installed much quicker than the full .NET Framework setup package.

Answer 2

1. Is not installing .NET 3.5 just to save a few Mb really that much more important that gaining a huge increase in productivity with LINQ and other .NET 3.5 features?

2. Why start off behind in technology?