dotnet Evolution - Understanding .NET Framework, .NET Standard, and Modern .NET

1. The Beginning: .NET Framework

  • Release year: 2002
  • Platform: Windows only
  • Primary use case: Desktop applications (WinForms, WPF), ASP.NET web applications, enterprise solutions
  • Characteristics:
    • Large and mature library ecosystem
    • Tight integration with Windows (registry, COM, IIS)
    • Monolithic: you depend on what Microsoft ships with Windows updates

The .NET Framework was revolutionary at its time, unifying programming across languages (C#, VB.NET, F#). However, it was tied to Windows and could not easily adapt to cross-platform needs.

2. The Bridge: .NET Standard

  • Release year: 2016
  • Platform: Not a runtime, but a specification
  • Purpose: To provide a common base API set that all .NET implementations must support
  • Example: If you target .NET Standard 2.0, your library can be used in both .NET Framework, .NET Core, Xamarin, and later .NET 5+

This was especially important for class libraries, since developers wanted their code to run across different runtimes without re-writing.
Think of .NET Standard as a contract: “if my library requires these APIs, then any runtime that implements this standard can run it.”

3. The Modern Era: .NET Core and Beyond

  • Release year: 2016 (.NET Core 1.0)
  • Cross-platform: Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Open source: Fully developed in the open on GitHub
  • Modular: Smaller, faster, with NuGet-based libraries instead of being monolithic

Key improvements over .NET Framework:

  • Performance: Much faster runtime and JIT optimizations
  • Cross-platform development: Cloud-native and container-friendly
  • Side-by-side installs: Different projects can run different runtime versions on the same machine
  • Unified development: From desktop apps to web apps, microservices, and cloud workloads

In 2020, Microsoft introduced .NET 5, which dropped the “Core” branding and unified all future development under just .NET. This continues today with versions like .NET 6, .NET 7, .NET 8, and upcoming releases.

4. What Should a New Programmer Know?

  • .NET Framework: Legacy only. Use it only if maintaining old enterprise applications.
  • .NET Standard: Useful if you are writing libraries that must run on both old and new runtimes.
  • Modern .NET (Core and newer): The recommended choice for all new projects.

Simple Rule of Thumb

  • If you are starting today → use .NET 8+
  • If you are building libraries for maximum compatibility → target .NET Standard 2.0
  • If you are maintaining existing enterprise software → stay with .NET Framework but plan migration

5. Summary Table

Feature .NET Framework .NET Standard .NET (Core & newer)
First Release 2002 2016 2016
Platform Windows only Specification only Windows, Linux, macOS
Open Source No N/A Yes
Use Case Legacy apps Shared libraries Modern apps, cloud, cross-platform
Status Today Maintenance mode Still relevant for libs Actively developed

6. Final Thoughts

As a developer, the direction is clear: Microsoft and the community are investing in modern .NET.

  • Learn .NET 8+ if you are new.
  • Understand .NET Framework only if you work in companies with legacy systems.
  • Know .NET Standard if you plan to create reusable libraries.

In practice, you will mostly work with modern .NET, and that’s where the future lies.