Last Updated on November 10, 2020
Microsoft .Net core has been in the industry for long. In fact, it’s been more than four years since Microsoft rolled out the .Net core version. However, it is now that Microsoft has decided to come up with a unified platform with .net core replacing the .net framework. As soon as this reached the newsroom, business leaders are rethinking on their approach, wondering whether or not, they should migrate to .net core the new version.
In case, you are part of this debate, this piece will be of help. Emphasizing on the technology, we highlight reasons why to migrate to .net core, when and how.
Without much ado, let’s get started with the discussion.
Why should you migrate to .Net Core?
.Net Core is an open-source framework with the proven ability to build feature-rich web applications. With the upcoming release, developers would be able to target additional applications for Mac, Linux, iOS, tvOS, watchOS, etc. And here comes the question, why should you migrate to this when the industry already has a .Net framework?
While there are multiple reasons why you should migrate to .net core, here we highlight the top 3. net core features, sufficient to vouch for its superiority.
⦿ Containers & Microservices
.Net allows smaller applications to run as independent units in a standalone environment. Additionally, it allows developers to induce different technologies and in a way, support the concept of microservices. With .net core, developers can reduce the technologies with every microservice. Microservices along with containers help make lightweight applications with added modularity, emerging as the perfect partner for both.
⦿ Highly Scalable
Improved performance and accelerated run time, .net core offers extensive support when it comes to working across multiple systems. Also, if a majority of applications are hosted and run over the cloud, the .net core serves a better option. The fact that this comes with added support for microservices and containers, building applications for a cloud-based architecture is easy with .net core. This in a way enhances the end to end performance of the business.
Apart from the above, the .net core facilitates cross-platform application development. Whether you wish to target Mac or Android, web applications, or Linux, .net core has a command-line interpreter that can work across all platforms.
When Should You Migrate?
Once you have got the idea of the technology and pretty much clear that you should migrate, the next thing that pops is when?
When is the right time to switch to .net core?
Considering that Microsoft has already accepted that. net core is the future, now is the best time to take the leap. Technology is only expected to grow with time and the more you procrastinate, the tougher it becomes. So, this is the best time to migrate to .net core and be future-proof.
Compatibility Issues of .Net Core?
Are you ready for the shift? But are you aware that .net core isn’t 100% compatible? As a matter of fact, there are quite a few components that are missing in the architecture.
Here are a few components that cannot be migrated to the .net core architecture.
➨ Net core lacks in terms of features and there Se a certain range of features that are yet to be included in the architecture.
➨ In case your application uses any kind of class Libraries, odds are they would turn futile in the updated version.
➨ If the application mandates the presence of Windows-specific APIs, they will not work on .net core. As so it appears, the architecture does not extend support to APIs such as WMI, Windows Registry, etc.
In addition to the above, it is important to note that .net core does not provide support for web forms and other services related to workflow. In either case, alternatives have to be traced for seamless migration to the platform.
With that being said, we move ahead to see what can be migrated and how. But before stepping your foot on the migration wheel, you must have an understanding of what do you need to migrate. There are multiple types of apps that can be built using the framework and hence, the decision of what to migrate depends on the type of the app.
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.NET Framework Vs .NET Core: A Complete Comparison
Types of .Net Apps: Ways To Migrate
Until now, we have seen the applications that cannot be easily moved or migrated to .Net core. Now we move ahead to see what can be migrated to the new version.
1. Web Apps
If you have a web application built using the .net framework, migration would not be tough. While the front end of the application would require you to the port the same to .net core, migrating the backend is pretty easy.
Follow the steps given below:
(1) Start with creating a new .NET Core project.
(2) Opt for migrate/convert startup followed by initialization.
(3) Next, initiate the migration of static content along with bundle configurations.
(4) Migrating views as well as actions.
2. Windows Application
Here, we have three different cases.
(1) For Universal Platform Apps: Does not require any form of migration
(2)For Silverlight-based apps: In case you have an app based on Silverlight, all you need to do is edit the namespaces. Such changes are basic and can be done pretty easily. If you are not sure, how to move ahead with the change, you can consider using a tool that would do the same for you.
(3) For WinForms and WPF desktop apps: Here, migrating your application to .net core is a bit tough and largely complicated. If at all, you wish to transform the application and adopt core, you will have to retort to “mono” and “Xamarin”. These two tools help convert your application into a cross-platform app.
3. Console Applications
For the migration of console applications, developers are expected to abide by the limitations imposed in terms of application interaction and host OS. The migration of application is simple and straightforward, defying any possibility of errors.
Having said all of the above, you might have a good idea of what .net core is and how can you migrate from .net framework to core (if at all, you consider it to be worthy of the move).
Conclusion
In the end, the decision lies in your court. Migrating to .net core involves a lot of things than just coding. Apparently, it incurs cost and requires additional changes. Before you agree to embrace the change, make sure you have adapted your business as per the needs of the platform. Remember, there isn’t any standard method that facilitates migration. In the end, it is the application and its functionality that decides how effective would be the process.
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