In this technology-driven world, it has become quite easy to develop web applications and streamline business processes compared to earlier times. Many technologies, tools, and frameworks are available in the market for robust web development services. However, with such extensive possibilities, there is often confusion about which technology is best for web development.
Choosing the right technology or framework can be a confusing question that keeps developers up at night. But an answer to this question is – ASP.NET Core framework.
You might be wondering, what is ASP.NET Core and what makes it special? Also, what are the advantages of using ASP.NET Core for web application development? To clear your doubts and help you make a suitable choice for your web app development, we are going to guide you through the path of ASP.NET Core. This article explores the Hows and Whys of ASP.NET Core and why developers should rely on it for web app development.
Let's dive in!
What is ASP.NET Core? – An Overview
With the latest launch of ASP.NET Core, Microsoft has provided users with the option of web application development on other platforms. The high-performance, cross-platform, open-source framework features cutting-edge functionality for building cloud-based web applications.
Earlier, ASP.NET 4.x was a huge success with developers worldwide. But ASP.NET Core is an upgraded version with a more modular and leaner architectural structure. The latest .NET 6 version includes many amazing features.
Paving the way for efficient and simple web application development, ASP.NET Core is a powerhouse of advanced features that has gained immense popularity among developers. The high-performance, cross-platform framework is widely used to create cloud-based and modern applications today.
Using this advanced software, you can:
- Run web applications on .NET Framework or .NET Core.
- Develop progressive and productive web applications and services, mobile back-ends, and IoT apps.
- Support multiple platforms as it provides the option to build apps on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Gain flexibility to deploy the apps and services on-premises or to the cloud.
Before we delve deeper into why ASP.NET Core is the best framework, let's briefly discuss the difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework.
Difference Between .NET Core and .NET Framework
.NET Core and .NET Framework have a subset-superset relationship. The “Core” in .NET Core determines the core features from .NET Framework, for both the runtime and framework libraries. For example, .NET Core and .NET Framework share the GC, the JIT, and types like String and List.
The development of .NET Core was aimed at making .NET open-source, cross-platform, and usable in more resource-constrained environments. The .NET Framework allows developers to create Windows desktop and server-based apps, including ASP.NET Web applications. On the other hand, .NET Core is used to develop server applications that run on different OS – Windows, Mac, and Linux. However, it doesn’t support creating desktop applications with a user interface. In both runtimes, developers can write apps and libraries in C#, F#, and VB.NET.
Now the question is – what is so interesting about ASP.NET Core development? Here is a quick rundown of why ASP.NET Core development is regarded as one of the best frameworks for building highly scalable and modern web applications.
Top 8 Reasons to Choose ASP.NET Core for Enterprise Web App Development
1. Open-Source Framework
One of the foremost reasons ASP.NET Core has gained immense usability among web application developers is because of its open-source code. The framework code is available on GitHub, where anyone can modify, review, or contribute. Additionally, the large .NET Core community supports fast and seamless application development.
All improvements and bug fixes are quicker and released at regular intervals, so you do not have to wait for ages to harness the latest developments. Flexibility is another reason why ASP.NET Core is a preferred choice for developers. Depending on the project requirement, you can add framework components, libraries, etc. Moreover, when an updated version or new package is available, you do not need to upgrade the entire framework. This helps save time.
2. Cross-Platform Support
One of the best aspects of ASP.NET Core development is its cross-platform implementation architecture. The framework is built to run on Windows, but applications and tools developed using it can function seamlessly on other platforms such as macOS, Windows, and Linux. It features the Visual Studio IDE, allowing developers to build web applications on any Operating System of their choice and achieve project collaboration.
.NET Core features independent packaging and installation, and is cross-platform compatible. This makes it an excellent framework to develop cutting-edge web applications. Once the app is built, it provides the option to reuse the code again for application development, regardless of the OS or platform.
3. Sophisticated Programming Features
The ASP.NET stack has undergone a major overhaul, presenting the ASP.NET Core framework with a gamut of advanced features. These include:
- Automatic memory management
- Cross-platform architecture
- Package management
- Garbage collection
- Language independence
- Asynchronous programming
- Easy to update and customize feature-rich enterprise-grade web applications
- Flawless development of MVC web applications and RESTful APIs
- Multiple language support
These features make it easier, faster, and more efficient for developers to build robust and modern web applications.
4. High Performance
Superior performance is one of the most integral factors developers consider for successful ASP.NET application development. With ASP.NET Core, you can be assured of excellent performance, flexibility, and scalability that aids in writing easy-to-maintain, reusable, and efficient programming codes. This is possible with the opportunity to leverage tool optimization and core libraries.
During code compilation, the unique web development framework facilitates automation code optimization. This helps in improving the performance of the codes. Additionally, new concepts, quicker release cycles, or upgrades related to memory and space allocation make it an efficient open-source framework for mobile, IoT, and cloud applications.
The modular framework isn’t only for developers but also offers a reliable and affordable solution through the applications. The latest introduction of the Kestrel web server further makes the ASP.NET Core framework one of the fastest and most robust web frameworks today.
5. Simplicity is the Key to Successful ASP.NET Development
Another primary reason why the ASP.NET Core framework is going to be the next big thing is its simplicity. Key functionalities such as form submission, client authentication, or site configuration are most hassle-free and faster with this framework. It features a time-tested MVC architecture – Model, View, and Controller – that aids in making custom web applications and APIs easily testable by achieving distinctness of concerns. This allows the developers to code, test, or debug an app in any of the above architectures.
The codes are reusable in nature, making it easier and effortless to manage and modify web application programming. It features a server-side, event-driven programming model that is simple to maintain. Furthermore, its built-in configuration data does not require any complex process of registering the components. Hence, it becomes easier to deploy applications successfully.
6. Razor Pages
It is a new feature incorporated in the latest Microsoft .NET Core framework. The objective is to integrate greater efficiency while programming page-focused environments. The page-based coding architecture enables developers to build cutting-edge web User Interfaces with enhanced productivity.
With this advanced feature, the framework becomes less complex as every single app page can be made self-contained with its unique view. Additionally, the codes of each page can also be organized together promptly and efficiently. Razor pages make it exceptionally productive and easier to build web applications that are robust, scalable, and high-performance.
7. Outstanding Developer Tools to Work With
A nice thing about ASP.NET Core is the availability of a full-suite of excellent web developer tools, such as Resharper, Jetbrains, and numerous others that make it easier to build, test, and implement a wide variety of applications.
Furthermore, it comes with Microsoft Visual Studio, which is one of the top IDEs available to develop advanced ASP.NET applications. It aids in advanced features such as profiling, debugging, unit testing, code completion, GIT integration, and much more. The latest version of Visual Studio is now available with a free, fully-fledged community edition. So, you can now easily code web applications for ASP.NET Core in the form of basic text files by leveraging the text editor of your choice.
8. Highly Versatile in Nature
Another vital reason why developers choose ASP.NET Core development is the versatility it offers. Using the framework, you can build modern web applications and even switch over easily to mobile or desktop apps without any inconvenience.
This gives you immense flexibility to mix up your app development work and achieve one that is high-quality, innovative, and robust. The ability to switch from one app development process to another is a fantastic quality that differentiates ASP.NET Core from other programming languages that are server-side focused.
Bonus Reason: Flexible App Deployment
Convenience and flexibility in deploying web applications is another reason why it is a reliable choice for developers. There are typically two ways in which you can deploy the web app:
- Framework-dependent deployment: This kind of deployment is dependent on shared-system components. You will be able to execute only the app you have built and 3rd party dependencies. This helps save memory on host systems.
- Self-contained deployment: In this type, deployment is not dependent on shared components. The elements of .NET Core runtime and .NET libraries are made distinct from other .NET Core applications.
What Types of Projects are Best Suited for ASP.NET Core?
ASP.NET Core allows you to develop web applications, IoT apps, mobile backends, web services, and hybrid apps. This distinguishes it from other languages and frameworks that are specially built to run on server environments. However, ASP.NET Core will help you develop feature-rich applications that can fall into the top enterprise web development trends of 2024 and beyond.
Web applications built on ASP.NET Core are intuitive, and robust, and offer a fantastic end-user experience. It can be integrated with popular client-side frameworks such as Angular, React, and JavaScript, further improving the web app’s performance.
Final Words
Considering its versatility, flexibility, simplicity, and a wide range of sophisticated features, ASP.NET Core is indeed one of the most powerful and popular web frameworks today. It is a new-age development framework that has gained immense usability and popularity among developers worldwide.
If you are looking to develop a high-performance, robust, and modern web application, the ASP.NET Core framework is the most reliable solution. Hire an experienced ASP.NET Core development agency today and reap the benefits of creating web applications that can meet your business requirements most efficiently.
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