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What is .NET?

• What is .NET used for?

  The .NET software framework (sometimes abridged to Microsoft NET framework) is used to develop a variety of applications, including both web-based applications and services, form-based applications, and more. In terms of applicability, .NET is famous for being very powerful, flexible, and robust. Developers can utilize the many angles of .NET to build a powerful software architecture, or even add or edit certain layers of an existing program without disrupting other parts of the web application to boot. Another use of .NET can be found in gaming, mostly thanks to its responsiveness and the ability to provide excellent performance on multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux and Mac), platforms, and other media.

• The difference between C# and .NET

  C# is considered a programming language, while the .NET term usually refers to two different things: the .NET application framework library and the .NET common language runtime. In .NET, you can write applications in three programming languages: C#, F# and Visual Basic (VB). Additionally, C# is heavily involved in the functionality of .NET—especially the workings of the .NET framework assembly. As C# becomes more intertwined with Microsoft and .NET, it becomes very difficult to use one without the other.

• Common applications of the .NET framework

  The .NET framework allows developers to approach a variety of common programming tasks in a very intuitive, albeit somewhat complex manner. Application development becomes second nature to those well-versed in the multitude of .NET functionalities (like types), enabling a wide range of solutions using the same .NET coding paradigm. Things like data collection, database connectivity, file access, and string management can now be easily manageable with the leverage of the .NET class-library. Other common applications that you can develop using .NET include Windows Forms and WPF apps, ASP.NET apps, Windows GUI apps, console applications, and more.

• Good websites built on .NET

  The main pros of building a website with the .NET stack can be found in its performance and scalability, consistent API, ease of use, and the possibility to benefit from using the highly advanced mix of technologies (Microsoft .NET-related tools) today. Some of the most famous websites built on the .NET platform include: Microsoft, StackOverflow, Dell, GoDaddy, W3Schools and Outlook—among countless others.

• Differences between .NET and .NET Core

  .NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform, high-performant and free development environment for building fast and reliable modern web applications, compatible with all major platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. The .NET framework is not open-source (certain components are) and is somewhat less effective than .NET Core in certain aspects of application speed, performance, and scalability. Comparing them side-by-side, you can conclude that .NET framework is meant more for desktop development, while .NET Core is primarily used to develop web applications and other cloud-based solutions that find their home online. Finally, .NET Core supports the implementation of microservices, while .NET framework does not. However, the latter provides full support for integrating its REST API services both with your existing and new projects. Needless to say, the Core and .NET frameworks are quite different in how they operate.

• Recent .NET updates

  The latest updates from the Microsoft .NET development team have addressed and patched several existing issues from multiple categories, including general framework security, SQL connectivity, as well as some minor mishaps in the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) parts of .NET. Needless to say, .NET is getting better and better with each iteration, and new updates will continue to roll out whenever needed.