What is the difference between .NET and .NET Framework

The terms ".NET" and ".NET Framework" are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things in the context of Microsoft's development platform:

1. .NET Framework:

   • Definition: .NET Framework is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large class library called Framework Class Library (FCL) and provides language interoperability across several programming languages.
   • Versions: It was first released in 2002 and has since seen several versions up to 4.8 (as of mid-2021).
   • Applications: .NET Framework is used to build Windows desktop applications, web applications, and services using languages like C#, Visual Basic, and F#.

2. .NET (pronounced as "dot net"):

   • Definition: .NET (or sometimes referred to as .NET Core or simply as .NET) is the successor to .NET Framework. It is an open-source, cross-platform framework for building various types of applications.
   • Versions: .NET Core was the initial version released in 2016, and it evolved into .NET 5 (released in 2020) and subsequent versions (.NET 6, .NET 7, etc.).
   • Applications: .NET (Core and later versions) can be used to develop applications not only for Windows but also for macOS, Linux, and even mobile devices (via Xamarin). It supports a broader range of application types, including cloud-based applications, microservices, and IoT applications.

Key Differences:

• Platform Compatibility: .NET Framework primarily runs on Windows, whereas .NET (Core and later) is designed to be cross-platform.
• Open Source: .NET (Core and later) is open-source, encouraging community contributions and transparency in development.
• Modularity: .NET (Core and later) is more modular, allowing developers to include only the components they need, which can result in smaller and more efficient deployments.
• Long-term Support: .NET Framework versions are typically supported as long as the corresponding Windows version is supported, whereas .NET (Core and later) versions have more flexible support lifecycles, with long-term support versions available for stability.

In summary, while .NET Framework refers specifically to the Windows-based framework developed by Microsoft, ".NET" more broadly encompasses the evolution of the platform, including the open-source, cross-platform .NET Core and its subsequent versions.