If you are looking for a technical explanation, this is not it.
This is for regular business users looking to make sense of the multitude of technical details, terms, technologies, programs, and stuff engineer-minded people talk about.
If you want to better understand what .NET and .NETCore are and key differences between the two, we must first define each of them.
NET Core vs NET Framework: What is the difference?
The .Net Framework and .Net Core are different versions of the .Net development platform. The Framework is the original version and has been around since before the split to create Core.
The Framework powers everything about Windows and desktop apps, while Core is the updated version for cloud app development. If you’re making a Windows desktop app, you’ll want to use .Net Framework. If you’re creating a cross-platform web application or desktop app, then use .NET Core.
.Net Framework was initially developed by Microsoft and included in Windows. The Framework was designed to make applications compatible with pretty much every Windows operating system globally. .Net Framework applications can almost always be run on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and up to Windows Server 2012 R2. The Framework has also been compatible with Windows XP and even Windows Vista since it was initially released in 2002.
When the .Net Framework first came out, the only .Net applications were Windows desktop applications. Now, thanks to the recent support of cross-platform apps, developers can create apps for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux with the Framework. The Framework is also available on Xbox One and Xbox 360 systems through an app called Xna.
.Net Core: a new cross-platform, open-source framework
.Net Core was released in 2015 as a successor of .Net Framework 4.5, which was released two years before it. .Net Core is a new cross-platform, open-source framework that can run on any machine with .Net installed. This means you can develop cross-platform apps with .Net Core, including Windows desktop apps. .Net Core supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, Server 2012 R2, and up to Windows Server 2016.
The Framework is also compatible with Mac OS X, but it’s only compatible with desktop applications at this point. This new version of the Framework allows developers to create more platform-agnostic apps, which means your app will work for many different operating systems without too much hassle or overhead.
Which one should you use? .NET or .NET Core?
The .Net Framework is the older version of the platform and has been around for quite some time. Many apps are developed with the Framework in mind. If you want your app to work on older operating systems or plan to target Windows Vista or XP users in your app, you will want to use the .Net Framework.
If you’re interested in creating cross-platform apps with Microsoft tech but still want them to run on Windows desktop apps, then the .Net Core framework would be a better fit. You’ll still be able to create web applications with this version of .Net, so it’s really up to you whether or not you think it’s worth it moving forward with development using one of these frameworks.
In essence, it depends on the technology you are using and how the team is supporting it.
In the end, the answer is typically “it depends” and we can help you answer that based on your current technology, what you are looking to build, and your business outcome you are looking to achieve.
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