Difference Between .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET Standard

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the distinctions between .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET Standard, aiming to equip developers with a comprehensive understanding of their histories, open-source nature, cross-platform capabilities, and performance attributes.

.NET Framework vs .NET Core

• History: .NET Framework, the pioneering implementation, contrasts with .NET Core, the latest open-source iteration.
• Open Source: While some components of .NET Framework are open source, .NET Core is entirely open-source.
• Cross-Platform: .NET Framework is exclusive to Windows, while .NET Core supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Third-party Packages Support: .NET Framework boasts an abundance of third-party packages, while .NET Core has substantial support but not as extensive.
• In-app Deployment: .NET Framework doesn't support in-app deployment, whereas .NET Core supports an in-app deployment model.
• Performance and Scalability: .NET Framework is less effective, while .NET Core offers high performance and scalability.
• Micro-Services and REST Services Implementation: .NET Core facilitates micro-services and REST API implementation, which are lacking in the .NET Framework.
• Command-line Tools: .NET Core provides lightweight editors and command-line tools for all platforms, contrasting with the heavier .NET Framework CLI.
• When to Use: .NET Framework suits Windows-exclusive applications, while .NET Core is ideal for cross-platform applications, micro-services, and high-performance scenarios.

.NET Standard

.NET Standard addresses compatibility issues between .NET Framework and .NET Core, offering a set of fundamental APIs for code sharing and reuse.

Real-time Use Case

Consider an application initially developed with .NET Framework, including shared libraries. Later, a decision is made to create a new application in .NET Core, and compatibility issues arise. Leveraging .NET Standard allows seamless reuse of shared libraries across different runtimes.

This article sheds light on the nuances of .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET Standard, empowering developers to make informed decisions. With real-time use cases and practical insights, developers can navigate the diverse .NET landscape effectively.

For a hands-on demonstration, you can refer to the source code examples available in this article.

Consider a real-time scenario where you have a shared library containing utility functions implemented in .NET Framework. Later, you decide to create a new web application using .NET Core, and you want to reuse the existing shared library. This is a common scenario where .NET Standard comes into play.

Shared Library (.NET Framework)

// SharedLibrary.Framework.cs

using System;

namespace SharedLibrary.Framework
{
    public class Utility
    {
        public static void PrintMessage()
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello from Shared Library (Framework)!");
        }
    }
}

Web Application (.NET Core)

// WebApplication.Core.csproj
<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk.Web">

  <PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <PackageReference Include="NETStandard.Library" Version="2.0.3" />
  </ItemGroup>

</Project>

Real-time Scenario

Imagine you have a legacy system or an existing application built with .NET Framework. The utility functions in the shared library are extensively used across modules. Now, you are tasked with developing a new feature or a modern web application using .NET Core, but you want to leverage the existing utility functions without duplicating code.

By creating a .NET Standard library and migrating the shared functions to it, you can seamlessly reuse the library in both the existing .NET Framework application and the new .NET Core application. This ensures code consistency, reduces redundancy, and simplifies maintenance.