Microsoft addressed the demand for a non-proprietary cross-platform solution last year with a new version of the .NET Framework. They have been at this project for years, and the final version was made capable of running on Mac and various Linux versions in addition to Windows. Notable features include:
- Open source design
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Flexible deployment
- Command-Line tools
This and many other features made the new .NET framework accelerate the evolution of software development. Here are 6 facts on one of the most beneficial Microsoft technologies to grace the software development sector.
The Platform is Open Source
The .NET Foundation promotes innovation within the .NET development framework. .NET Core prioritizes this objective as the whole project is dedicated to open source principles. This means:
- More control over the code
- Code transparency
- Easier to pinpoint and rectify security risks
- Stability
Its Main Composition Includes 4 Key Parts
- .NET Runtime – Provides the framework with services like garbage collector, type system, assembly loading etc.
- CoreFX – Essentially a set of framework libraries that provide app composition types, primitive data types, and other basic utilities.
- SDK tools and compilers – Creates the .NET Core developer experience.
- dotnet app host – Hosts the runtime to facilitate the launch of applications.
The .NET Core Software Development Kit (SDK) includes Command-Line tools, the dotnet driver, and the .NET Core itself.
Cross-platform Design
The developers of the framework prioritized cross-platform compatibility. .NET Core runs on multiple versions of Linux operating systems, Mac OS X, and Windows. Though it was an unusual move from Microsoft, it proved to be a significant advancement in today’s technological world which demands flexibility when it comes to operating systems. The cross-platform design made it a favorite of a wider community of developers including Windows, Mac, and Linux developers indicating a move toward software-defined applications.
It’s Basically an Agile Development Tool
.NET Core includes a modular infrastructure released through NuGet. This means developers will be able to access it as feature-based packages, and build lightweight applications with only the necessary packages rather than as one large assembly. This also ensures better performance of the applications in addition to enhanced security. The modular infrastructure also means that modules can be individually updated. This makes it easier to update the .NET Core platform. This level of agility and development ease are the more common DevOps traits of the platform.
It’s the Result of a Collaborative Effort
Around 10000 developers worked collaboratively to design and develop the platform using open source design principles. The development team succeeded in implementing the best suggestions into the development, finally creating a community-driven, open source product that’s still being refined. The developers at Microsoft and GitHub’s communities in charge of the platform’s maintenance still take suggestions and requests into account to make .NET Core more capable than it already is.
Command-Line Tools
According to Microsoft, the .NET Core is capable of exercising all product scenarios at the command-line. Its Command Line Interface (CLI) includes tools like Integrated Development Environments to develop applications that excel in performance. The CLI is also cross-platform which means developers can use it on any platform that’s supported by the framework once they have figured out the toolchain.
Conclusion
.NET Core has changed so much since its initial release and is still expecting more significant changes in the near future. The platform now grants more freedom and flexibility to developers in developing, deploying, and updating applications. Having already transformed the software development realm, the platform is still expected to bring about major changes in the sector by 2018.
