.NET Core vs .NET Framework

We will compare .NET Core vs .NET Framework, but first a look at .NET Framework. The .NET Framework is a software development platform developed by Microsoft. It is a library of code that provides a set of features and functions that developers can use to build applications. As well, it is classified as a software framework that provides a comprehensive programming model for building all kinds of applications on Windows.

The .NET Framework provides an extensive library of code called the Framework Class Library (FCL). This library contains hundreds of classes, interfaces, and value types that developers can use to build applications. The FCL is organized into namespaces and assemblies, which contain the actual source code of the library. The FCL is also the basis for the language–specific libraries that are available for .NET programming languages such as C# and Visual Basic.

The .NET Framework also includes a runtime environment called the Common Language Runtime (CLR). The CLR is responsible for loading and executing .NET applications. It provides features such as automatic memory management, security, and interoperability. The CLR also provides services such as type safety, versioning, and garbage collection.

The .NET Framework also provides a set of tools for developing, debugging, and deploying .NET applications. These tools include the .NET Framework SDK, Visual Studio, and the .NET Framework Tools suite. The .NET Framework SDK includes compilers for building applications, libraries, and samples. Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) for developing .NET applications. Its Tools suite includes tools for debugging, testing, and deploying .NET applications.

The .NET Framework has become an important part of the software development landscape. It provides developers with a powerful and flexible platform for building applications on Windows.

.NET Core is a free, open–source, cross–platform, and modular framework that is used to develop web applications and services. It is the next generation of Microsoft’s .NET Framework and is designed to be lighter and faster than its predecessor. It enables developers to build applications and services that are more secure, reliable, and scalable.

.NET Core is built on top of the popular open source .NET libraries, giving it access to a wide range of features and capabilities. It is designed to run on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be used to develop applications for mobile, cloud, and IoT. It also supports an extensive library of NuGet packages, making it easier to integrate third–party components and services.

.NET Core is a great choice for developers who want to create modern, high–performance web applications and services. It is fast, lightweight, and secure, and offers an extensive set of features and capabilities. With its modular and open–source architecture, developers can easily customize and extend their applications to fit their specific needs.

.NET Core vs .NET Framework, they are both implementations of the .NET platform, but there are some key differences between them.

.NET Core is a cross–platform, open–source, and modular implementation of .NET that can be used to develop applications for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is designed to be lightweight, fast, and flexible. It supports the development of both web and mobile applications.

.NET Framework is a Windows–only, closed–source, and monolithic implementation of .NET. It is designed to be a full–featured framework and is used to develop applications for Windows. It is more feature–rich than .NET Core, but it is not as lightweight or as fast.

In terms of performance, .NET Core is generally faster than .NET Framework. This is because .NET Core is optimized for modern hardware and has a more modular design.

In terms of language support, both .NET Core and .NET Framework support many languages, including C# and F#. However, .NET Core has better support for languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript.

In terms of scalability, .NET Core is more scalable than .NET Framework. This is because it is more modular and can be deployed on multiple platforms.

In terms of cost, .NET Core is generally cheaper than .NET Framework. This is because .NET Core is open–source, while .NET Framework is closed–source.

Overall, .NET Core is more modern, lightweight, and flexible than .NET Framework. It is also suitable for developing applications for multiple platforms, while .NET Framework is only suitable for developing applications for Windows.

The main difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework is that .NET Core is open-source and cross-platform, whereas .NET Framework is Windows-only. .NET Core also has a different codebase and architecture than .NET Framework, meaning that applications developed for .NET Core may not run on .NET Framework.

The choice between .NET Core and .NET Framework will largely depend on your specific application requirements. If you need to build an application that will run on multiple platforms, then .NET Core is the way to go. If you need an application that will run on Windows only, then .NET Framework is the better choice.