Dynamic Language Runtime
The Dynamic Language Runtime (DLR) is a runtime environment built on top of the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) that adds a set of services for dynamic languages. It provides language interoperability, dynamic typing, and shared infrastructure for languages like IronPython and IronRuby, enabling them to run efficiently on the .NET Framework. The DLR simplifies the implementation of dynamic languages by handling common tasks such as dynamic dispatch and code generation.
Developers should learn the DLR when working with dynamic languages on the .NET platform, such as for scripting, rapid prototyping, or integrating Python or Ruby code into C# applications. It is particularly useful in scenarios requiring interoperability between statically-typed languages like C# and dynamic languages, or when building domain-specific languages (DSLs) that benefit from dynamic features. Use cases include automation scripts, data analysis tools, and web development frameworks that leverage dynamic language flexibility.