Difference between Value Types and Reference Types in .NET Framework

Value types and reference types are two different kinds of data types in the .NET Framework with distinct characteristics:

Value Types:

• Stored on the stack.
• Contain the actual data.
• Examples include basic data types like int, float, and struct.
• Memory allocation is done at compile time.
• Copy by value when passed as a parameter.

Reference Types:

• Stored on the heap.
• Contain a reference to the data in memory.
• Examples include classes, interfaces, delegates.
• Memory allocation is done at runtime.
• Copy by reference when passed as a parameter.

Understanding the difference between value types and reference types is crucial for efficient memory management and programming in the .NET Framework.