Difference between .Net Core and .Net Framework

Introduction:

The .NET environment is a very dynamic environment that has gone through a very big change over the course of years, which provides developers with many instruments and platforms to develop reliable applications. The first alternative contains .NET Framework and .NET Core in this ecosystem. As their python dialects share the same C# language and some functions, the professionals should know the differences between them and choose the platform used for their projects accordingly.

Cross-Platform and Windows-Only:

• .NET Core: Supporting Windows, macOS, and Linux, it is meant to operate on different platforms. It is for furthering the cause of developers in crafting such applications that can be beaten from multiple environments without major code changes.
• .NET Framework: It is specially designed for Windows and is perfect when an application requires Windows technology or a library.\

Project Type and Development Experience:

• .NET Core: It allows the developer to set the code on the site with the single link fully ready for production and testing staff with the newest project types and templates.
• .NET Framework: The most preferred composite for those with older applications or heavy dependence on Windows-specific libraries is the best for such cases.

Library and API Availability:

• .NET Core: The base class library (BCL) fits completely as a trimmed-down set of modern application orientations. If so, NuGet is a convenient way to bring in any additional libraries and APIs that are required.
• .NET Framework: It furnishes a thorough collection of base class that encompasses a wide array of features and APIs and may be useful when implementing projects of great complexity and size.

Deployment:

• .NET Core: Its utilization is more flexible in terms of the deployment options it provides. App can be self-contained built upon its own dependencies or be dependent on a shared runtime environment.
• .NET Framework: Usually, this kind of code is written to run on existing framework systems on which the Shared Runtime is most common.

Performance and Modularity:

• .NET Core: Better execution was offered, fewer needs were needed, and modules were created to eliminate unnecessary libraries and dependencies.
• .NET Framework: It has a more substantive set of base class library that could be the reason for inferior speed.

Syntax and Code Examples:

In order to illustrate the differences, let's look at a simple "Hello World" application in both .NET Core and .NET Framework:

• .NET Core:

This code uses a standard C# class with a Main method to print "Hello World from .NET Core!" to the console.

• .NET Framework:

The syntax is identical to .NET Core, as both are based on the same language, C#.

Versioning and Updates:

• .NET Core: reduces the time between releases in this software development process by adding and improving it continuously. It facilitates developers in sustaining with the latest features and the security feature enhancements periodically.
• .NET Framework: It maintains longer time between updates, with version releases that serve the stability needs for applications with a long support lifespan, and possible to combine with a progression of older libraries.

Community and Open Source:

• .NET Core: It is popularized because of its size, and the fact that the community actively helps develop the software. Transparency and innovation are features of the open-source concept that motivate the framework.
• .NET Framework: It is not open source; because to its longevity in the market, it has a sizable development community and a wide range of resources at its disposal.

ASP.NET Core Web Application Example

In .NET Core, creating a new ASP.NET Core web application can be done using CLI or Visual Studio. The project structure is modern and lightweight with a focus on modularity and dependency injection.

Project Structure:

In a new .NET Core web application, you may see the following structure:

• Program.cs: The entry point of the application.
• Startup.cs: Configures services and middleware for the application.
• Controllers: A folder containing controller classes that handle incoming HTTP requests.
• Views: A folder containing Razor views (HTML templates).
• appsettings.json: A file for configuration settings.

Code Example:

Here is a simple controller in an ASP.NET Core web application that returns a greeting message:

In this code:

• In this example, we define an ApiController that listens for HTTP GET requests.
• The controller method GetGreeting() returns a simple greeting message.
• The routing is set up using attributes, such as [Route("api/[controller]")], which maps the controller to a specific route.

ASP.NET Web Application Example in .NET Framework

In .NET Framework, creating a new ASP.NET web application can also be done using Visual Studio. The project structure is more traditional, with a larger base class library and built-in support for a wide range of Windows-specific technologies.

Project Structure:

In a new .NET Framework web application, you may see the following structure:

• Web.config: The configuration file for the application.
• Controllers: A folder containing controller classes.
• Views: A folder containing Razor views.
• Models: A folder containing model classes.
• Global.asax: The entry point of the application for global configuration.

Code Example:

Here is a similar controller in an ASP.NET web application in .NET Framework:

In this code:

• We define an Api Controller that listens for HTTP GET requests.
• The controller method GetGreeting() returns a greeting message.
• The routing is set up using attribute routing, such as [Route("api/helloworld")], which maps the method to a specific route.

Dependency Management:

• .NET Core: It is based on its reliance on NuGet packages one may claim that it encourages real time dependency management, moving it to the next level of the class. Hence, lightweight apps have become very common.
• .NET Framework: Another difference is that it may use NuGet packages like *.NET Framework but it may use Global Assembly Cache (GAC) for shared dependencies. The flexibility paradigm could be more rigid than NetCore's approach.

Runtime Environment:

• .NET Core: It can operate alongside its own.NET Core versions, enabling users to work on different versions on the same device without interfering with one another.
• .NET Framework: Generating multiple versions (of the same app) increases the possibility that the framework will have to take care of similar issues, and if other versions are installed on the same machine, it might cause compatibility issues.

Configuration:

• .NET Core: It enables the control of the current configuration using JSON file (ex appsettings.json), environment variables, and command-line arguments.
• .NET Framework: It takes XML types of configuration files, for example Web.config or App. config) that can be stiffer and less intuitive than a JSON.

Unit Testing and Test Frameworks:

• .NET Core: It accommodates modern unit testing frameworks such as xUnit, NUnit, and MSTest that can work seamlessly together with Visual Studio and other in-house development apps with the help of built-in support.
• .NET Framework: As well, this approach is linked to the building of frameworks, but the consideration of working with the testing paradigms that are already used might be an obstacle to the introduction of newer tools and approaches in the frameworks.

CLI and Automation:

• .NET Core: It comes with the CLI (command-line interface) that provide the developer with the ability to prototype and ship projects directly from their terminal. Hence, the diversity of server types closely resembles cloud-computing models that are perfect for automation and pipelines for CI/CD.
• .NET Framework: While it tends to do more development activities with Visual Studio and other graphical IDEs, CLI automation will be a bit of a challenge.

Example: Console Application

In this example, we will create a console application that greets the user and displays the current date and time.

.NET Core

1. Project Setup: You can create a new .NET Core console application using the .NET CLI:

It will create a new folder named HelloWorldDotNetCore with a basic console application structure.

• Code Example: Replace the contents of Program.cs with the following code:

• Running the Application: Run the application using the following command:

• Output: The output of the application will be:

Explanation:

• The app is a rather simple console application that contains the program code to print a greeting message and current date/time.
• Using System Namespace, which belongs to the core class library of .NET Core, the application gets the connection.
• Time.Now is always used when the current date and time are to be recorded.

.NET Framework

• Project Setup: Create a new console application in Visual Studio using the Console App (.NET Framework) project template.
• Code Example: Replace the contents of Program.cs with the following code:

• Running the Application: Run the application in Visual Studio by pressing F5 or using the "Start" button.
• Output: The output of the application will be:

Explanation:

• This.NET Console application essentially prints a greeting message together with the current time and date.
• Unlike in prior versions, here both in System namespace and DateTime.Now property syntax and usage are alike with .NET Core because they both utilize C#.
• The application utilizes the .NET Framework that is applied with the .NET configuration environment, which in turn, is established with a Windows setup of the framework framework.

Additional Explanation and Considerations

.NET Core

• Cross-Platform Support: Type 'dotnet run' in command if you want to perform execution of the application on any supported platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) without its modification. It will simplify and provide the capability to design such applications, which are supposed to be deployed with same ease in different environments.
• Dependency Management: NuGet Dependencies are used to manage.NET Core Applications that use csproj as the interface.
• The csproj file is already set up in any CLI generated and projects when you create a project. The <PackageReference> section is used to add the dependencies.
• CLI Tools: The .NET Core CLI provides excellent tools for effective management of an application lifecycle, including building, running, and publishing applications through the terminal.
• Modular Libraries: The .NET Core implements modular libraries by default; you only include those libraries you need in your application. As a result, it can lead to a lower consumption of computing resources and thus speedier and less resource-demanding applications.

.NET Framework

• Legacy Support: It offers best-in-class interface integration with Windows APIs and services, the.NET Framework is well-known for being compatible with older Windows programs that operate through the interface.
• Thus, it is beneficial when you have the existing Window applications ready to maintain or an upgrade in the pipeline.
• Project Structure: In a Visual studio project, you will find the standard App.config file and possibly some additional traditional configuration files that store a range of app settings. In this case, it is not JSON-based, like .NET Core uses in its configuration files.
• Development Environment: The .NET projects developed using Visual Studio are in most cases built to utilize its integrated development environment (IDE) which is designed to provide complete professional programming experience. The advantage is that developers who feel more comfortable with these IDEs can now have access to this kind of programming.
• Compatibility: Mostly .NET Framework projects have some kind of reliance on old-timer libraries or APIs that may aren't available in .NET Core either, making migrations in such cases tricky.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, .NET Core is the best choice for modern, cross-platform applications guaranteeing its performance, modularity, and the easy way to deploy the software. Moreover, it may be the more secure one for Windows-only applications and legacy systems among them. Azure frameworks creators need to weigh the pros and cons of different platforms, especially in relation to their projects. It is the only way to achieve the best outcome. Now that with the release of .NET 5 and the following versions, developers will encounter a consolidated and unified experience.

The .NET environment is a very dynamic environment that has gone through a very big change over the course of years, providing developers with many instruments and platforms to develop reliable applications.

While making the decision between the two consider the needs of your project especially on target platforms, dependencies, or scalability in the future. You can clearly determine the obvious strengths and weaknesses of each structure to guarantee that you are building the right and best effective, maintainable, and high-performing software.