In this post, we will cover the difference between two popular frameworks by Microsoft – NET Core vs NET Framework.
Topics Covered
Intro
.NET is the development platform used by a large number of developers to create apps, websites, and services on any device and OS, with amazing performance and great developer productivity.
New audiences moving to .NET are mostly confused about the starting point. Is it the .NET framework they need to learn or start with .net core?
Sometimes the question arises in minds of the existing .NET developers.
- Should I learn .NET Core?
- Will Microsoft replace .NET Framework with .NET Core completely?
Thinking about all the battle of these frameworks – NET Core vs NET framework, trying an attempt to list out the differences between .NET Core and .NET framework with the help of this post.
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework helps you create mobile, desktop, and web applications that run on Windows PCs, devices, and servers, and it’s included in Visual Studio.
This post is specific to NET Core vs NET framework, if you want to read more on .NET Framework please refer to the article:
.NET Core
.NET Core is a cross-platform, open-source framework that helps us to develop web, mobile, and desktop applications.
.NET Core and ASP.NET Core gives you a blazing fast and modular platform for creating server applications that run on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
NET Core vs NET Framework
I have jotted down a few of the differences between .NET Core and .NET Framework.
Please feel free to add to this list by commenting on your inputs in the comments section, if you have something to add.
| .NET Core | .NET Framework |
| The .NET Core is an open-source platform. | Not an open-source platform |
| .NET Core is cross-platform. It runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. | .NET framework is not cross-platform. It runs only on the Windows operating system. |
| Can be used while building applications that can run on any platform, including ASP.NET Core for cross-platform web apps. | Can be used while building a desktop Windows app or working with ASP.NET. |
| Distributed with the app. | Distributed with Windows. |
.NET Core is a subset of .NET Framework and is compatible with .NET Framework.
Which one to choose?
I have listed down a few criteria to make a choice of NET Core vs NET Framework. Few years down the line, you may not want to choose the .NET Framework at all.
.NET Core is a better choice if you:
- Want to target your apps across platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.
- Open towards learning new things.
- Are not afraid to explore things, since .NET Core is not fully matured yet.
- Ready for many more changes on the way and learning new things.
.NET Framework is a better choice if you:
- Do not need cross-platform support for your app.
- Not open towards learning new things.
- Are already working on an existing app and extending its functionality.
- Need a stable environment to work in.
- Have to meet your already planned schedule (deadlines).
- Already have an existing team with .NET Framework expertise.
Hope you found this post useful and you got to know the differences between .NET Core and .NET framework.
👉 Further reading – docs.microsoft.com
Please share it with your fellow developer friends as someone rightly said that –
Power is gained by sharing knowledge, not hoarding it.
Our Insta Page
Follow @dotnetcrunch to learn concepts in a few minutes.
What are your thoughts?
Dear Reader,
If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to email us or put your thoughts as comments below. We would love to hear from you. If you found this post or article useful then please share along with your friends and help them to learn.
Happy Coding!
[mashshare]
