Should I go for .Net Core or .Net Framework?
Choosing the right programming language can be tough, especially if you have to choose between .Net Core and .Net Framework. Both of these are programming languages that run on the Microsoft .NET platform, and each has its own pros and cons depending on what type of project you’re working on. To help you decide which of these languages best suits your needs,
Here’s an overview of what they each offer, along with some examples that highlight how they work in practice.
What are the key differences between .NET core and framework?
The primary difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework is that one is open source, and one is proprietary. In addition to being free, Open Source software has two main benefits: (1) it can be improved by anyone in any way; and (2) it allows for more interoperability with other software. Neither of these are weaknesses of Microsoft’s frameworks. Rather, they are differentiators from which developers can choose when deciding what type of development project makes sense for them at a given time.
The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference on several key issues, which we discuss below: Open Source vs Proprietary, License Type (.NET), Platform (.NET), Interoperability, and Update Model.
When to use each?
When it comes to choosing between .NET Core and .NET Framework, there are several things to consider. Both frameworks have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on how your application will be used. It’s difficult to make a blanket statement about which is better; in many cases it depends on what programming language you want to use, what devices will be accessing your application and whether you’re looking for something that’s open source vs proprietary.
Understanding when each is best suited can help you decide which one works best with your overall needs. A lot of developers wonder: Do any of them really make a difference? Though they do the same thing, there are reasons you may prefer one over the other.
Which version of Visual Studio should you use?
An essential point to note here is that, if you are going with .NET Core, you will have to use CLI (Command Line Interface) commands in order to perform most of your programming. This means that if you are not comfortable using command prompt / terminal, then it’s probably not a good idea to opt for .NET core. After all, CLI is easier said than done when it comes to development and people working in a GUI environment tend to get confused by having two separate toolsets (GUI & CLI).
Moreover, there isn’t much help available online if you’re just starting out with C# and going with CLI won’t make things any easier. So, make sure you know how command prompt works before choosing C# as your preferred language.
A bonus – CLI commands
CLI stands for command line interface and means that you do not need to install any software to use it. CLI commands are small, self-contained software programs that perform a specific task directly on your computer. They can be installed on Windows, Mac, Linux and most other operating systems. While they may seem less exciting than GUI apps, they are often more powerful because they require fewer resources, making them fast and lightweight.
.NET Core is the next version of .NET
Built on top of Open Source technologies and bringing with it a host of features, .NET Core will allow you to develop and run an application from anywhere using a choice of programming languages like C#, F#, VB and Javascript. The new framework provides you with modularity so that you can create specific versions as per your need.
Working with multiple frameworks on a single project
In a professional environment, many engineers and developers working with multiple frameworks on a single project is common. The fact that there are two popular versions of .NET, namely: Microsoft’s new framework (.NET core) and its old predecessor (.NET framework), makes it even more complicated to work out which one is better suited for certain applications. Hence, many business owners face a dilemma as to whether they should use both frameworks in parallel, rely solely on one of them or what else.
Skills in Demand
Software development is hot—so hot, in fact, that some people think we’re in a golden age of software development. And where there’s gold, there are hordes of developers. However, there are still key software development skills that are in short supply and highly sought after. Here’s a look at three of them.
What if Microsoft pulls the plug on .Net Framework?
If you’re using a Microsoft product and writing software for it, then you should probably learn about .NET core. It’s going to replace all of Microsoft’s platforms sooner or later—the only question is when. Sooner seems more likely than later, so at some point in your career as a developer, whether that’s tomorrow or 30 years from now, learning how to use .NET core will be crucial. Also, consider that while Microsoft has said they’re not going to abandon Windows desktop users—even Windows 7/8 users won’t be left in the cold—it can’t hurt to be prepared.
Is it safe to learn both frameworks?
Start by asking, what do you want to build and why? Understanding your business requirements is key to determining which framework is right for you. For example, if you want to use a particular technology that’s available in one framework but not another (like SQL Server and .NET Framework) then you’ll need to choose that framework.
If it isn’t, then you can focus on other criteria such as which one of them makes it easier for developers to share and collaborate on code – with tools like Visual Studio Team Services and Team Foundation Server—and better performance. Bottom line: there are pros and cons of both, so picking between them is less about knowing why each one exists than understanding where your needs fit in.
When should you choose one over the other?
A lot of time people make a decision based on what they have heard and which is more popular at that time. This might be a good way to choose initially but there are certain other factors that you should take into consideration, before you settle down with one particular framework. From an application development point of view, both have their own merits and shortcomings. Hence it becomes important to understand them well before deciding to choose one over another.
Conclusion
While both are based on .NET and offer similar functionality, .NET core is meant to be cross-platform. If you have plans to release your app on multiple platforms like Android, iOS and Windows, then going with .NET core is a good choice. You should hire .Net developers in India for your projects who have rich expertise in the latest technologies. Otherwise, you’re better off sticking with native C# and writing code in Visual Studio using C#.
This will provide greater performance as well as more frequent updates to common libraries that come bundled with Visual Studio. Also note that some of Microsoft’s web services use only framework (.NET 4) so if you plan on integrating these into your app, then you can’t use .NET core yet.
