Q1: What is .NET Core, and how does it differ from the .NET Framework?
Answer:
.NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework used for building applications on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Unlike the .NET Framework, which is Windows-only, .NET Core is designed to be modular, lightweight, and more performance-optimized. It is particularly suitable for web, cloud, and microservices applications. Additionally, .NET Core allows for side-by-side versioning, enabling multiple versions of .NET Core to coexist on the same machine.
Q2: What are the main benefits of using .NET Core over other frameworks?
Answer:
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Cross-platform compatibility: .NET Core supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
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High performance: It offers better performance and scalability compared to the .NET Framework.
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Open source: As an open-source project, .NET Core has a large community, making it easier to get support and contribute.
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Modularity: You can install only the libraries your application needs, making it lighter and faster.
Q3: What is the role of the Common Language Runtime (CLR) in .NET Core?
Answer:
The CLR in .NET Core is the runtime environment responsible for executing .NET applications. It handles memory management (via garbage collection), type safety, exception handling, and security. It also provides Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation and manages code execution across different platforms.
Q4: Can you explain the concept of cross-platform development in .NET Core?
Answer:
Cross-platform development in .NET Core means that developers can write applications that run on multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, and Linux) without making significant changes to the source code. The .NET Core runtime abstracts away the platform-specific details, allowing for consistent behavior across different environments.
Q5: How does the .NET Core application lifecycle differ from a traditional .NET Framework application?
Answer:
.NET Core applications follow a modular, simplified lifecycle. The application starts with a Program.cs file, where an instance of the host is built and configured. This contrasts with the more monolithic and configuration-heavy lifecycle of the .NET Framework, which is primarily Windows-based. In .NET Core, you can run applications on different servers without worrying about platform dependencies.