Explaning .NET Razor ≠ .NET Blazor

At first glance, the names “Razor” and “Blazor” might sound like close cousins in the world of web development. However, despite their similar-sounding names, these two technologies serve distinct purposes and cater to different development needs. Let’s delve into the key differences between Razor and Blazor to help you understand their unique roles.

Razor

The Server-Side Templating Powerhouse.

With ASP.NET Core MVC apps in mind, Razor is a server-side template engine. It enables programmers to create dynamic and interactive websites by integrating HTML and C# code easily.

How does it function?

• Developers write HTML code with embedded C# expressions enclosed in @{} brackets.
• When the server receives a request for a Razor page, it first executes the embedded C# code.
• The server then replaces the C# expressions with their corresponding values and returns the final HTML code to the browser.

Example of Razor

<h1>Welcome, @user.Name!</h1>
<p>Here are your latest posts:</p>
<ul>
    @foreach (var post in posts)
    {
        <li>@post.Title</li>
    }
</ul>

In this example, the @user.Name expression is replaced with the actual username from the server, and the @foreach loop iterates through a list of posts, dynamically generating HTML content.

Blazor

Bringing Interactivity to the Client Side.

Blazor, on the other hand, is a web framework that allows developers to create interactive web UI components using C# instead of JavaScript. Unlike Razor, Blazor runs the C# code directly in the browser, enabling real-time updates and user interactions without constant server roundtrips.

Key Differences

Example of Blazor

@code {
    int counter = 0;
}
<button @onclick="IncrementCounter">Click me!</button>
<p>You clicked @counter times.</p>

@functions {
    void IncrementCounter()
    {
        counter++;
    }
}

In this Blazor component, clicking the button triggers the IncrementCounter method, which increases the counter value. Blazor automatically re-renders the component with the updated counter value, providing a seamless and dynamic user experience.

Conclusion

Razor and Blazor, while sharing a similar name, offer distinct functionalities within the web development landscape. Razor shines with its server-side templating abilities, while Blazor empowers developers to build interactive and responsive client-side web applications. Understanding their unique strengths allows you to choose the right tool for the job and deliver engaging web experiences.

Keep learning&hellip!