ASP.NET Core vs .NET Framework
💡 Concept Name
ASP.NET Core vs .NET Framework
📘 Quick Intro
ASP.NET Core is a modern, open-source, and cross-platform framework, while .NET Framework is the original Windows-only implementation for building .NET applications. Each has its own advantages depending on project needs.
🧠 Analogy / Short Story
Imagine you're choosing between a bicycle and a motorcycle. The bicycle (.NET Framework) is time-tested, reliable for specific terrain (Windows), but slower. The motorcycle (ASP.NET Core) is fast, versatile, and can go cross-country (cross-platform). You pick based on your journey!
🔧 Technical Explanation
.NET Framework: Mature, Windows-only framework. Supports Web Forms, WCF, and other legacy components. Great for enterprise systems that are Windows-dependent.
ASP.NET Core: Cross-platform, modular, cloud-optimized. Supports modern web standards, REST APIs, minimal hosting, middleware, and microservices. Uses Kestrel or can run behind IIS/Nginx.
🎯 Purpose & Use Case
- ✅ Use .NET Framework for apps tightly coupled with Windows features (e.g., Windows Forms, WPF, AD).
- ✅ Use ASP.NET Core for scalable web apps, RESTful APIs, cloud-native solutions, and containerization.
- ✅ ASP.NET Core is ideal for microservices, gRPC, Blazor, and cross-platform support.
💻 Real Code Example
Minimal ASP.NET Core API vs Classic .NET Framework Web API:
// ASP.NET Core Program.cs
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
builder.Services.AddControllers();
var app = builder.Build();
app.MapControllers();
app.Run();
// .NET Framework - Global.asax.cs
protected void Application_Start()
{
GlobalConfiguration.Configure(WebApiConfig.Register);
}
❓ Interview Q&A
Q1: What's the major difference between ASP.NET Core and .NET Framework?
A: ASP.NET Core is cross-platform, while .NET Framework is Windows-only.
Q2: Which one supports microservices and containers better?
A: ASP.NET Core is designed for microservices and containers.
Q3: Can I run .NET Framework apps on Linux?
A: No, it's limited to Windows.
Q4: Is ASP.NET Core open source?
A: Yes, it’s fully open-source and community-driven.
Q5: Does ASP.NET Core support Blazor and gRPC?
A: Yes, fully supported.
Q6: Which one uses Global.asax?
A: .NET Framework uses Global.asax; ASP.NET Core does not.
Q7: Where is Startup.cs used?
A: In ASP.NET Core for configuring services and middleware.
Q8: Can I use both in the same project?
A: You can bridge them using .NET Standard or gRPC endpoints.
Q9: Is .NET Framework still supported?
A: Yes, for existing projects, but no new major features.
Q10: Which is better for cloud-native apps?
A: ASP.NET Core is built for cloud-native development.
📝 MCQs
📝 MCQs
Q1. Which framework is cross-platform?
- ASP.NET Core
- .NET Framework
- WPF
- Web Forms
Q2. Which one uses Startup.cs?
- ASP.NET Core
- .NET Framework
- WCF
- WinForms
Q3. Which framework supports containerization better?
- .NET Framework
- Classic ASP
- ASP.NET Core
- WPF
Q4. Which framework is Windows-only?
- ASP.NET Core
- .NET Framework
- .NET MAUI
- Blazor
Q5. What is used to register Web API routes in .NET Framework?
- Program.cs
- Startup.cs
- Global.asax
- Main.cs
Q6. Is ASP.NET Core open source?
- Yes
- No
- Only partially
- Depends on version
Q7. Which framework supports gRPC natively?
- .NET Framework
- ASP.NET Core
- WCF
- SignalR
Q8. Which is ideal for legacy enterprise apps?
- .NET Framework
- ASP.NET Core
- Node.js
- Blazor
Q9. Can .NET Framework apps run on macOS?
- Yes
- No
- Only with Mono
- Only console apps
Q10. Which supports minimal APIs?
- ASP.NET Core
- .NET Framework
- Web Forms
- SignalR
💡 Bonus Insight
Microsoft is encouraging future development on .NET Core (now .NET 5/6/7+). .NET Framework will continue to receive security fixes, but modern features are Core-first. It’s time to move forward.
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