Getting Started with .NET Core

Welcome to the essential guide for .NET Core! This tutorial will walk you through the fundamental steps to begin your journey with .NET Core, a free, cross-platform, open-source framework for building various types of applications.

What is .NET Core?

.NET Core is a modular, high-performance, cross-platform, and open-source application framework. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can use it to build:

• Web applications and services
• Microservices
• Console applications
• Cloud-native applications
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications
• Mobile backends

Key Benefits

• Cross-Platform: Develop and run your applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• High Performance: Optimized for speed and efficiency, making it suitable for demanding workloads.
• Open Source: Developed by Microsoft and the .NET community, fostering innovation and transparency.
• Modular: Design principles allow for smaller, more manageable application packages.
• Unified Framework: Aims to unify .NET development across different application types.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:

• A code editor like Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, or JetBrains Rider.
• The latest .NET SDK. You can download it from the official .NET website.

Step 1: Install the .NET SDK

Download the appropriate .NET SDK installer for your operating system from the official .NET download page. Follow the installation instructions provided for your platform.

Step 2: Create Your First .NET Core Application

Let's create a simple console application. Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.

This command creates a new console application named MyFirstApp in a new directory with the same name.

Now, navigate into the newly created project directory:

Step 3: Explore the Project Files

Inside the MyFirstApp directory, you'll find a few key files:

• MyFirstApp.csproj: The project file that contains build information, dependencies, and other project configurations.
• Program.cs: The main source code file for your application.
• obj/: A directory containing intermediate build files.
• bin/: A directory where the compiled application will be placed after building.

The Program.cs file

Open Program.cs in your code editor. You'll see code similar to this:

using System;

namespace MyFirstApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
        }
    }
}
            

The Main method is the entry point of your application.

Step 4: Run Your Application

To run your application, ensure you are in the project directory (MyFirstApp) in your terminal and execute the following command:

You should see the output:

Hello, World!
            

In the next tutorials, we'll explore how to manage dependencies, build web applications, and leverage the power of the .NET Core CLI.