.Net Core vs .Net Framework description
.NET Core and .NET Framework are both implementations of the .NET platform developed by Microsoft, serving different purposes, and supporting various types of applications.
.NET Framework:
A mature, well-established runtime that primarily targets Windows operating systems.
Provides support for multiple programming languages, such as C#, VB.NET, and F#.
Includes a large class library (Framework Class Library,) to build Windows applications, web applications, and services.
Primarily used for building Windows desktop applications, web forms, and ASP.NET (Web Forms and MVC) web applications.
.NET Core:
A newer, open-source, cross-platform implementation of the .NET platform designed for modern, cloud-based applications.
Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering more flexibility and performance improvements compared to the .NET Framework.
Supports a modular architecture, enabling developers to include only necessary libraries and packages, resulting in smaller applications with faster startup times.
When I mention a modular architecture in relation to .NET Core, it means that .NET Core allows developers to build applications with a more detailed approach when it comes to dependencies. By including only, the necessary libraries and packages needed for specific functionality, developers can create applications that are smaller in size, requiring less storage and resources.
Includes an updated and optimized version of the .NET Standard libraries.
When I mention that .NET Core includes an updated and optimized version of the .NET Standard libraries, it refers to the fact that .NET Core has aligned its Base Class Libraries (BCL) with the .NET Standard specification. The .NET Standard is a set of APIs and specifications that define a collection of common functionalities that all .NET platforms should implement. The .NET Standard provides a consistent API surface across different .NET platforms like .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Xamarin, ensuring that developers can write code that will run on multiple platforms with minimal modifications. By using the .NET Standard libraries, .NET Core offers developers compatibility and code-sharing opportunities with other .NET platforms.
Well-suited for building microservices, containerized applications, and scalable web services using ASP.NET Core.
it means that the .NET Core platform has specific features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for developing some types of applications like:
Microservices: .NET Core’s modular architecture allows developers to build small, independent services with specific functionality, which can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently of one another.
Containerized applications: Containers, like Docker, provide a lightweight, isolated environment to package and run applications, including their dependencies and configurations. .NET Core’s cross-platform nature and lightweight design make it an excellent fit for building applications that run inside containers, ensuring consistent behavior across various environments (development, testing, and production).
