Mastering .NET Development: Key Pros and Cons
It goes without saying that a software product’s success vastly depends on the selection of programming frameworks.
But the problem with any tech stack is that for each specific product, software developers must take into account many factors, such as the size of the product, the complexity of its features, the probable number of users, financial limitations, the number of engineers involved, and so on.
For those reluctant to compare technologies and preferring a nearly-universal variant, Microsoft has designed .NET software framework.
According to a recent survey, .NET has been named number one on the list of the most used libraries and frameworks among developers.
Commonly, .NET is a win-win development option for companies looking for many features within their software application, but are there any constraints to know about? Let’s figure it out.
Understanding .NET: An Overview
.NET is a free, open-source platform that helps .NET developers create all sorts of applications, including websites, mobile apps, desktop software, games, cloud services, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
.NET is made up of several pieces: .NET Core lets developers create apps that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux at the same time; .NET Framework is mainly for building software on Windows; if you want to make mobile apps, you can use Xamarin, which works for both iOS and Android; and for web development, there’s ASP.NET.
Exploring the .NET Ecosystem
A central part of the ecosystem is Visual Studio. This instrument boasts lots of practical capabilities, such as debugging, code recommendations, and embedded testing.
For simpler projects, many developers, however, might prefer Visual Studio Code, which supports .NET software development through numerous extensions.
One more inevitable constituent of the union is the NuGet Package Manager. NuGet allows for spotting, installing, and using external libraries, as well as adding new features to the existing projects without starting over.
Reasons to Opt for .NET: Advantages and Weaknesses
One of the most persuasive pluses of picking .NET is its cross-platform compatibility. Due to .NET Core, coders can assemble applications that run equally well on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Another great thing is the wide array of auxiliary instruments it offers. These resources can simplify standard tasks such as working with databases, managing files, and keeping the app safe.
The IDE that comes with Visual Studio is one more plus. It’s packed with code suggestions (called IntelliSense), easy code updates, and built-in support for version control with Git that together can simplify the whole development cycle.
Now, let’s talk about the downsides. Yes, .NET Core works great on different platforms. But given the fact that the original .NET framework primarily works on Windows, it can be a trouble for the products assembled earlier.
Also, .NET can seem a bit confusing to learn for beginners because it features dozens of different components.
Lastly, .NET applications can sometimes be a bit heavy on memory compared to those built with other frameworks, which might be a matter if software engineers are going to work on something resource-sensitive.
Ideal Scenarios for Using .NET
Being a truly universal platform, it’s no wonder that .NET can shine in numerous development scenarios. Below are some of the best situations to use it:
- Applications for mid-sized and well-established enterprises
- Web applications
- Cloud-based solutions
- Cross-platform mobile apps that work evenly on iPhones and Androids
- Gaming development
- Desktop programs
- IoT applications to support device communication
- APIs and microservices
- Data-driven software that heavily relies on database interactions
- Rapid prototyping
- and much more
Notable Applications Built with .NET
Did you know that many well-known applications have been built using .NET? Among them are:
Stack Overflow
This is the largest online community for programmers, and it gets millions of questions and answers every day. Built on ASP.NET, Stack Overflow can tolerate a ton of traffic coming in and let members easily connect and share their knowledge.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs .NET for its online ordering and delivery systems. Taco must work up lots of orders at the same time, especially during busy times. With .NET, the platform can guarantee customers an impeccable ordering process, beginning with browsing the menu and ending with making a payment.
Dell
Dell’s website and backend systems are run on .NET, which helps govern its complex e-commerce setup, as well as allows customers to tweak their orders, follow shipments, and get relevant support.
Our Expertise in .NET Application Development
At SCAND, we possess a strong background (20+ years) in outsource .NET development and have a large portfolio of .NET case studies that go from small business projects to large enterprise platforms.
One of our standout projects is a document management system that assists businesses in keeping their files organized and easy to find, making their day-to-day operations much faster.
We also created a warehouse management solution that facilitates inventory control and streamlines order fulfillment, helping our clients improve their logistics.
All in all, our programmers know how to make the most of .NET technologies and create labor-saving and well-run software and always do their best to find a way out if our clients need something exclusive or unusual.
The Value of .NET in Software Development
.NET is a versatile and adaptable platform that provides developers with lots of things to create well-structured and productive software products. If needed, it can function on different operating systems and easily connect to cloud service.
However, it does have some constraints to pay attention to when arranging your project. This way, we’d suggest weighing all the fors and againsts to begin with, though .NET is not the tool to let you down at the least appropriate time.
