The .NET framework has been a cornerstone of modern software development for many years. With the introduction of .NET Core and .NET Standard, developers gained new tools and frameworks to build cross-platform applications. But choosing the right framework for your project is crucial. In this blog, we'll explore the differences between .NET Standard and .NET Core, helping you make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the appropriate framework for your development needs.

Understanding the Dotnet Ecosystem

Before we dive into the specifics of .NET Standard and .NET Core, it's essential to understand the broader .NET ecosystem.

.NET Framework: This is the original .NET framework developed by Microsoft. It's primarily used for Windows-based applications and is not open-source.

.NET Core: .NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework that was developed as a response to the limitations of the .NET Framework. It allows developers to build applications for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

.NET Standard: .NET Standard is a set of APIs that standardize the available APIs across different .NET implementations, including .NET Framework, .NET Core, and more. It's not a runtime but a specification.

Differences Between .NET Standard and .NET Core

Purpose:

.NET Standard: .NET Standard is not a runtime, and you can't build applications directly with it. Instead, it's a set of APIs that ensure compatibility across various .NET implementations. Its primary purpose is to facilitate code sharing between different .NET platforms.

.NET Core: .NET Core is a runtime framework used for building applications. It allows developers to create cross-platform applications that run on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Cross-Platform Compatibility:

.NET Standard: Code written with .NET Standard can be used across different .NET platforms, including .NET Core, .NET Framework, and more. It helps in ensuring that your libraries are compatible with various runtime implementations.

.NET Core: .NET Core is specifically designed for cross-platform development, allowing you to build applications that work seamlessly on different operating systems.

API Surface:

.NET Standard: .NET Standard includes a limited set of APIs that are available across different .NET platforms. Its goal is to provide a common set of APIs that work consistently across various runtimes.

.NET Core: .NET Core provides a broader set of APIs, including libraries for working with web applications, cloud services, and more. It offers a wide range of libraries and components for application development.

Development Model:

.NET Standard: When you develop libraries or components using .NET Standard, you are essentially creating code that is intended to be reused in different .NET projects across various platforms.

.NET Core: .NET Core is used for building complete applications, which can be deployed on multiple platforms. It provides a full development framework for creating cross-platform applications.

Use Cases:

.NET Standard: Use .NET Standard when you want to create libraries, components, or packages that are designed to be shared and used in different .NET applications running on different platforms.

.NET Core: Use .NET Core when you want to develop full-fledged, cross-platform applications that can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Choosing the Right Framework

The choice between .NET Standard and .NET Core depends on your specific development needs and goals. Here are some scenarios to help you decide:

If you are building a library or component: If your primary goal is to create a reusable library or component that can be used in various dotnet application development services, then .NET Standard is the right choice. This ensures maximum compatibility.

If you need to build cross-platform applications: If you're developing a complete application that needs to run on different operating systems, then .NET Core is the way to go. It provides the runtime and libraries necessary for cross-platform development.

If you're building a Windows-specific application: If your application is designed exclusively for Windows, you might consider using the .NET Framework. While .NET Core is cross-platform, the .NET Framework provides a rich set of Windows-specific APIs and features.

Migration and Compatibility

If you have existing .NET Framework code and want to migrate it to .NET Core, you might need to make some adjustments, as the API surface in .NET Core is different. .NET Standard can help ease this transition by providing a set of APIs that work consistently across different .NET platforms. When migrating to .NET Core, you can reference .NET Standard libraries to ensure compatibility.

The Future: .NET 5 and Beyond

It's important to note that .NET Core has evolved, and starting from .NET 5, it is known simply as ".NET." This unified platform includes both .NET Core and .NET Framework features. The transition to this unified platform is an indication of Microsoft's commitment to a single, modern .NET platform that can be used for a wide range of application development scenarios.

Conclusion

Choosing between .NET Standard and .NET Core (now .NET) depends on the nature of your project. While .NET Standard is perfect for creating libraries and components for cross-platform compatibility, .NET (Core) is your choice for developing complete, cross-platform applications. As the .NET ecosystem continues to evolve, it's important to stay updated with the latest advancements and consider how they align with your development goals. Whether you're building libraries or full applications, asp.net application development platform offers a rich set of tools and libraries to empower your development efforts across multiple platforms.