Pros and Cons of .NET Framework Programming
Web Development companies are mushrooming everywhere — This left me mostly casting envious glances at modern web development tools, frameworks, methodologies, and practices. Released by Microsoft, ASP.Net technology has been around for over a decade and yet somehow manages to top my list. In simple words, it’s way beyond that meets the eye.
Don’t get me wrong I am not here to evangelize but to explore the Framework — The Good as well as the bad!
About the ASP.Net Framework
Being a cross-platform, open-source framework, ASP.Net is mainly used to create internet-connected, cloud-based modern & web applications. If we break this down ASP stands for Active Server Pages and is used to create high-end applications whereas .Net is server-side scripting technology to host websites and web applications based on the ASP.Net.
In fact, it is believed that introducing the framework has been one of the biggest achievements for the tech giant due to its ability to deliver dynamic as well as responsive web pages in no time. By using Visual Studio and other programming languages such as C#, VB, one can have compelling ASP.Net applications in their space. As a result, more and more ASP.Net development companies were found spewing up featuring tech experts who can deliver results consistently, without costly errors or setbacks.
The History Says
If we go back in the earlier days, you will find all the websites developed like an online brochure. And it’s okay because back then those initial days of the internet and the World Wide Web had the sole purpose to convey information to the end-users. In simple words, it was treated as a one-way communication where end-users couldn’t interact or revert or alter data of the website. And maybe that’s the reason they were called static.
With technology getting more and more advanced, websites itself began to evolve. Today, users cannot just have relevant information but can easily interact, alter the data whenever and from wherever they feel like. ASP.Net development comes into the play.
Evolved from traditional ASP, ASP.Net was initially released in two beta versions in the years 2000 and 2001. With the dawn of 2002, the tech giant launched the very first version of the framework — 1.0 and ASP.Net 1.0 was its integral part. So what was this fuss all about, you may ask?
The Microsoft scripting language was created to fulfill the need of adding to the .Net platform incorporating a wide set of tools and libraries enabling ASP.Net developers to come up with more and more interactive websites. In simple words, it can be considered as an expansion of the .Net platform by having a base framework for processing web requests in C# and F# and libraries for common web patterns like Model View and Controller. Editor extensions act as a core ingredient used for code completion, syntax highlighting, and other functionalities. Basically, all this is done for developing web pages. For instance, if you want to build dynamic web page using C#, you shouldn’t be looking for anything more than Razor.
Tons of libraries, repositories, and prototype pages included for handling logins, multi-factor authentication, and external authentication are some other important reasons to consider. Also, the framework can smoothly run on macOS, Windows, Linux, and Docker due to its cross-platform functionality.
Its Versions:
ASP.Net 1.0
Released in the year 2002, the version acted as an object-oriented web application development tool to build robust applications
ASP.Net 2.0
Released in the year 2005, it included Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Web Developer Express and SQL Server 2005. This version comes with upgraded navigation controls, master pages, and supported 64-bit processor.
ASP.Net 3.0
This 2006 version was released with an update with Windows Presentation Foundation to host services and Windows CardSpace used ASP.Net for login rules.
ASP.Net 3.5
The version released in the year 2008 brings Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 into the limelight. For more efficient downloading and creation of new namespaces, the version has succeeded in combining multiple JavaScript files into one file.
ASP.Net 4.0
Released in 2010, it came with new properties added in the page class (MetaKeyword and MetaDescription) and a bunch of parallel extensions and other .Net frameworks 4 features seen never before.
ASP.Net 4.5.1
The 2013 release incorporated Visual Studio 2013 and Open Web Interface for the .Net web applications and web servers. Other inclusions were EF6, MVC 5, and SignalR.
ASP.Net 4.8
This ASP.net version of 4.8 was released in early 2018 and has given some features like WCF service behavior, WinForms advancements inaccessibility and High DPI. Now I am pretty sure those days, ASP.Net quite created a buzz combining JIT and NGEN Improvements, updated ZLib, and reduced FIPS Impact on Cryptography.
Combining ASP.Net Development & Your Business
We have entered this highly competitive era where businesses are gearing up to enhance their online presence in regards to mobile and web applications. So what ASP.Net development has to do with it, you may ask? Simply, you can create a plethora of applications such as:
- Mobile, web and desktop apps — Accounting apps, product/inventory apps, Windows Service Apps, Mobile apps
- Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications
- Console based applications
- Dynamic websites
- Accounting systems/Book-keeping systems
- Custom CRM Systems
- XML Web Services
- Business Intelligence Apps
- Logistic and Supply Chain Management Solutions
- Warehouse and storehouse Systems
- Inventory apps
Always remember this, achievement or collapse of any product or new development within the market is set by its return on the investment done on the product. So, choose wisely!
Pros of using the .NET framework for Business Application Development
#1 Less Coding — The framework works on object-oriented programming eliminating all the unnecessary codes and involves less coding for developers. Also, here .Net developers have the advantage of reusing the code and plenty of other elements making the deployment procedure faster and easier. As per the business perspective, it saves ample time and subsequently less price while creating relevant applications.
#2 Enormous and Viable — Another interesting advantage of using ASP.Net framework is its versatility and flexibility in regards to app development outcomes. In fact, .Net development being so common and popular across the globe, one can easily find the foster connection between their current and other projects recorded.
Featuring the name, type, dimension of the screen, sort, Wireless Universal Resource File (WURFL) acts as a structural base for mobile phones. As a result, internet masters and web development companies are provided with such a collection of data and additional info regarding the mobile traffic user agents of their website. All you have to do is integrate this into any .NET project.
With unbelievable user experiences and assistance, .Net has the potential to provide all kinds of companies a simpler, easier, and manageable way to enhance the use across different Platforms and Languages. Overall, any application bolstered .Net has the potential to deliver incredible encounters and assists organizations in upgrading interest for their product and services.
#3 Deployment & Maintenance becomes easy — Right from no-impact applications, private elements, side-by-side versioning, controlled code sharing; .Net development offers a plethora of such features. As a result, deployment and maintenance become way easier. Technically speaking due to which conflicts in deployment and performance-related problems the code execution is safe and automatically gets reduced.
Also, with the ability to run on the same machine side-by-side multiple .Net core versions can cover as well as perform several projects & deployment tasks simultaneously without much hassle.
#4 Coherent Ecosystem — Comprising a large ecosystem and active Microsoft support, the tech is highly supported by libraries from Visual Studio Marketplace and the NuGet package manager. And in case of any challenges while developing, the massive community is available 24/7 at the service to help the .Net developers.
#5 Enhanced Security — Since the beginning of .Net development services, for several organizations including government to MNC’s, the .Net development has remained a strong pillar-like none other. Additionally, with software’s like ASP .NET development and net APIs like SQL Server and Azure Document dB, a formidable technological system will be utilized for several industries, as well as, finance, digital marketing, and education.
Speaking further about the security, the framework provides increased application security as internet software is developed by the same incorporating Windows confirmation and configurations. Also, many .Net development companies are found allowing their professionals to create applications for one operating on a personal organizer, browser, desktop, mobile browsers, etc.
Often being promoted as a language-independent system, the development can take place in C++, C#, VB.Net, IronPython, Visual Cobol, IronRuby, and such numerous complaints languages.
Cons of .NET framework for Business Application Development
Everything seems so amazing until now? Let’s see what’s on the flip side of ASP.Net development. It’s time to unveil the arrangement of issues with one of the strongest engineering platforms.
- Vendor Lock-in — One of the most irresistible drawbacks of ASP.Net Development is Vendor Lock-in. While being open-source, the entire ecosystem community won’t be considered as network-driven. In simple words, businesses may have to rely on the provider and all the decisions made by the tech giant itself.
- Pricey Licensing — Building applications based on .Net development can be a costly venture in comparison to other open-source innovations. Visual Studio IDE, joint efforts, and tools featuring quality confirmation benefits offered by Microsoft may cost you a hefty price. During such a crucial scenario’s it is always advisable to seek assistance from a reputable ASP.Net Development company that not only offers unmatched services at a reasonable price but keeps transparency right from the beginning.
Does this mean we shouldn’t use the .Net framework? Of course, not! One wrong decision could jeopardize the whole project.
What’s Next?
Have you heard of ASP.Net Core? Many of you have the misconception that ASP.Net framework and ASP.Net Core are the same. Which is not true! Released in 2016, .Net Core was considered as a cross-platform rebuild of the .Net framework. Now there was a time when professionals were required to create unnecessary applications using the product on Linux and macOS tied to the Windows family. It’s no longer required anymore.
With the emergence of the new system, cloud spaces can be conquered easily. Apart from the .Net core, its different versions such as ASP.NET Core and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) can be installed side by side on the same device.
ASP.Net core offers a wide range of benefits such as creating more effective web apps, mobile apps and IoT apps or improved performance, easy maintenance, cloud-based web app support, cross-platform, tighter security, lesser coding, and so forth. Overall, It has led to a massive surge of .Net programming.
Conclusion
ASP.Net and ASP.Net core are quite interesting technologies; the only dilemma is to know them right and all it takes to create a robust application. And Since the majority of the organizations search for various methods of building up an application quickly and even dispatch it in the whole market sooner than conceivable, I would suggest looking no further than ASP.Net Development.
