What is the CLR?

What is the CLR?CLR = Common Language Runtime

when you write .NET code, and compile to an exe/dll, it is an IL exe/dll, which means intermediate language. intermediate language is something between your written .NET code in VB/C# (or any .NET language) and copiled machine code (like a VB6 or unmanaged C++ app)

IL runs against the framework (aka clr)

the CLR is like a bridge between a .NET app, and the system its running on.
That's interesting, that explains why you neet the .NET framework to run an EXE/DLL compiled in .NET. Does Visual Studio have the capability to compile an unmanaged C++ project that will run without the .NET framework?
yes it does. C++ in .NET supports both managed and unmanaged code. However I am not a C++ programmer, so I don't know the full extent of its capabilities or limitations.

Hope this helps.