Difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework
We can create the modern cloud-based software applications on popular operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS using the free, open-source, .NET framework. One of the major contributions of Microsoft is.NET Core which is available under the MIT License and it provides the following attributes:
- Cross-Platform
- Free Software
- Superior Performance
- Different contexts, different development modes, etc
Microsoft has created and developed a virtual computer for assembling and running applications written in various languages, such as C#, VB.Net, etc. It is employed in the creation of web-based applications, online services, and form-based applications. The most popular programming languages supported by the.Net platform are VB.Net and C#.
Applications are created using it for Windows, mobile devices, the web, etc. It supports industry standards and provides a variety of functions.
More than 60 programming languages are supported by the .NET Framework. Eleven of them were created and developed by Microsoft. The remaining languages that were not developed by Microsoft but that are supported by the.NET Framework.
Let’s see the comparison table of .Net Core and .Net Framework:
Based On | .Net Core | .Net Framework |
Open source | . Net Core is open-source software. | Certain elements of the .Net Framework are open source. |
Cross-Platform | It uses the "build once, run anywhere" philosophy. Because it is cross-platform, it works with a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and MacOS. | The Windows operating system is compatible with the .NET Framework. The software was created to work with all operating systems. |
Application Models | .Net Core prioritises the web, Windows Mobile, and the Windows Store rather than supporting the creation of desktop applications. | The .Net Framework is used to create desktop and web applications, and it also supports WPF and Windows Forms applications. |
Installation | Due to its cross-platform nature, .NET Core is packaged and deployed without regard to the underlying operating system. | The Windows operating system comes with a single package that installs the .NET Framework. |
Micro-Services and REST Services Support | Micro-service development and deployment are supported by .Net Core, and for implementation, a REST API must be created by the user. | While REST API services are supported by .Net Framework, micro-services are not created and implemented. |
Scalability and Efficiency | .NET Core provides high performance and scalability. | In terms of performance and application scalability, .Net Framework performs less well than .Net Core. |
Compatibility | Windows, Linux, and MacOS are just a few of the operating systems that .NET Core is compatible with. | The .NET Framework is only compatible with the Windows operating system. |
Mobile Development | Through the .NET Standard Library, .NET Core is interoperable with free and open-source mobile application development frameworks like Xamarin. The Xamarin tools are used by developers to customise the mobile app for mobile platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows phones. | No framework for developing mobile applications is supported by the .NET Framework. |
Shipping and Packaging | The .Net Core software is distributed as a set of Nugget packages. | Every library of .Net Framework is provided in a single package. |
Release Model | Every time an update to .NET Core is started, it updates immediately on one computer at a time, adding new directories and folders to the existing programs without having any negative effects. Thus, the deployment methodology for .NET Core is effective and adaptable. | When an upgraded version of the .Net Framework is released, it is initially only deployed on the Internet Information Server. |
Tools CLI | For all supported platforms, .NET Core offers lightweight editors and command-line tools. | Developers prefer to work on the lightweight Command Line Interface since .Net Framework is too hefty for Command Line Interface. |
Security | Code Access Security-like features are absent from .NET Core. | The .NET Framework has a security capability for controlling access to code. |
.NET Core or .NET Framework: Which should we use?
When .NET Core is appropriate, the server application should be used:
- There is a demand for cross-platform.
- Employing Docker containers or microservices as a target.
- Need for scalable and high-performance systems.
- .NET versions are required for each application side by side.
The server program must use the .NET Framework when:
- Applications must be created to only operate on Windows.
- If an application makes use of .NET framework technologies, .NET Core is not supported.
- Already-running applications that use the .NET Framework.