What are the Differences Between .Net Framework and .Net Core?

In the world of software development, Microsoft's .NET platform has long stood out as an ecosystem offering extensive capabilities to developers. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, two different platforms have emerged: .NET Framework and .NET Core. In this article, we'll examine the differences between .NET Framework and .NET Core to help you understand which platform is more suitable for your projects.

What is a Framework?

Translated into our language as 'frame,' a framework consists of libraries that are pre-prepared and can be shaped according to our use. It saves developers from having to rewrite commonly used code over and over. A framework is a structure that includes pre-prepared libraries that are continuously updated with new ones.

What is .Net Framework?

The .Net Framework was developed by Microsoft in 2002. It is not a programming language but rather an environment that enables development with many programming languages. It includes multiple libraries and toolkits, created to facilitate the development of applications that would run on Windows machines. Initially, as a Microsoft product, the target was solely Windows machines. This platform can be used to create both form-based and web-based applications. The first version was announced as .Net Framework 1.0. After many versions, it reached the final version of .Net Framework 4.8.

What is .Net Core?

.NET Core is an open-source, free software development platform developed by Microsoft for application development across different platforms (cross-platform). With .Net Core, Microsoft took a step towards developing a platform that would make .NET Framework technology independent of the Windows operating system. .Net Core is independent of the operating system and language. It is open source and supports cross-platform development. It is up-to-date. .Net Core was announced as .NET Framework became insufficient. Microsoft introduced .Net Core 1.0 in 2016 as a platform supporting software development on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. .Net Core supports containers, thus it primarily supports Docker and other container services.

What are the Advantages of .Net Core?

• Ease of development
• Reliability
• Rich resources
• Community support
• Free
• Open-source
• Platform independent
• Easy updates
• Opportunity to develop high-performance applications
• High scalability
• Productivity and time savings

Which Languages Does .Net Core Support?

The runtime is designed to support multiple programming languages. It supports C#, F#, and Visual Basic.

What are the Differences Between .Net Framework and .Net Core?

The most significant difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework is that the .NET Framework only supports the Windows operating system, while .NET Core supports different operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS. .Net Core is more modern and updated. Another important difference is that .Net Core has been released as open source. .Net Core is modular. .Net Core has been rewritten from scratch, not modified from .NET Framework.

In conclusion, .NET Framework and .NET Core are two powerful platforms that offer solutions targeted at different needs and goals. If you are developing an application only for Windows, the .NET Framework, with its established structure, may be the ideal choice. However, if you are looking for a platform-independent, modern, and high-performance solution, you can benefit from the advantages of .NET Core. Deciding which platform to use should be based on the requirements of the project.