MSDN Documentation

Introduction to .NET Core

.NET Core is a free, cross-platform, open-source framework for building a wide variety of applications. It's a modular framework that is optimized for developing modern, cloud-connected applications and microservices.

Key features and benefits of .NET Core include:

  • Cross-platform: Run your applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Open Source: Developed and maintained by Microsoft and the community on GitHub.
  • High Performance: Optimized for performance and scalability, making it suitable for demanding workloads.
  • Modular Design: A lighter footprint and faster startup times due to its modularity.
  • Unified Platform: Aims to unify the .NET ecosystem across different application types.
  • Cloud-Native: Excellent support for containerization (Docker) and microservices architectures.

Getting Started with .NET Core

Begin your .NET Core journey by setting up your development environment. This typically involves installing the .NET SDK.

1. Install the .NET SDK:

Download the latest .NET SDK from the official .NET download page. Choose the version and operating system that suits your needs.

2. Create your first application:

Open your terminal or command prompt and use the .NET CLI to create a new project. For example, to create a new console application:

dotnet new console -o MyConsoleApp
cd MyConsoleApp
dotnet run

This will create a new directory named `MyConsoleApp`, generate a basic console application template, and then run it.

.NET Core Architecture

.NET Core's architecture is designed for flexibility and performance. It comprises several key components:

  • Runtime: The CoreCLR (Common Language Runtime) manages memory, thread execution, and exception handling.
  • Base Class Library (BCL): Provides fundamental types and classes for common programming tasks.
  • SDK: Includes the .NET CLI (Command-Line Interface) for building, testing, and deploying applications.
  • ASP.NET Core: A high-performance, cross-platform framework for building web applications and APIs.
  • Entity Framework Core: A modern object-relational mapper (ORM) for .NET.

Popular Tutorials

Explore these resources to deepen your understanding of .NET Core:

API Reference

Access detailed documentation for the .NET Core APIs to understand the available classes, methods, and properties.

Browse the .NET Core API Reference

SDK and CLI

The .NET SDK provides the tools you need to develop .NET applications. The .NET CLI is a powerful command-line interface that allows you to:

  • Create new projects: dotnet new
  • Build projects: dotnet build
  • Run applications: dotnet run
  • Manage NuGet packages: dotnet add package
  • Publish applications: dotnet publish

Deployment Options

.NET Core applications can be deployed in various ways:

  • Framework-dependent: Requires the .NET runtime to be installed on the target machine.
  • Self-contained: Includes the .NET runtime within the application package, making it independent of any pre-installed runtime.
  • Containerization: Deploying .NET Core applications using Docker for consistent environments.

Performance Considerations

.NET Core is known for its excellent performance. For optimal results, consider:

  • Using asynchronous programming patterns.
  • Optimizing data access with Entity Framework Core.
  • Leveraging memory management features effectively.
  • Profiling your application to identify bottlenecks.

Community and Support

Join the vibrant .NET Core community to learn, share, and get help: