Many people not well-versed with the .NET framework may find themselves confused about the difference between .NET and ASP.NET. For developers who have practical knowledge about both will easily differentiate between them.
Making the mistake of confusing .NET and ASP.NET can cause everyone else to get confused and make further errors. During .NET development, wasting time and resources is not ideal especially when it is an investor’s money and time!
Also check: WAYS TO FIX YAHOO MAIL NOT RECEIVING EMAILS AND ADD SIGNATURES
.NET
.NET is a software development framework that utilizes a number of aids in the Microsoft development environment. Together with these aids, .NET develops, runs, and deploys a range of applications, both web-based or Microsoft-based.
.NET is robust enough to develop large and complex applications for enterprises and businesses which have such requirements.
.NET framework is made up of 3 main components:
Common Language Runtime
The Common Language Runtime (CLR) is a component that allows the execution of programs that .NET supports. This includes programs written in Visual C++, C#, or VB, among others. Another feature of the CLR is that it can manage memory, security, exception handling, program loading, and execution.
Framework Class Library
Integrated with the CLR is the Framework Class Library (FCL) which enables the writing of programs using any compatible language.
User Interfaces
This component provides the tools that developers require to make appealing and efficient applications. Examples of some of these applications are Windows forms (for example Notepad), web services, Console applications.
ASP.NET
The ASP.NET is a popular server-side technology that is more popular than its predecessor Active Server Pages (ASP). Apart from its ability to develop dynamic web pages, it also assists in developing, debugging, and deploying web applications.
ASP.NET holds the ability to access all classes and features that .NET naturally holds. Applications developed using ASP.NET use the common language runtime and the languages supported by .NET.
ASP. NET MVC
The ASP.NET MVC programming model separates the web application into three parts. Model, view, and controller are the three distinct parts that the application is divided into.
This model does not have drag and drop capabilities. But, it is especially lightweight and facilitates the rapid and agile development of interactive applications.
ASP. NET Web Forms
This model is traditional and uses the event-driven programming model. This model supports drag and drop functionality and caters to rapid applications development that allows excellent data access.
Tools applicable for Webforms development are Visual Studio and Visual Web Developer.
ASP. NET Web API
This model enables developers to develop web APIs over the .NET framework. It is efficient for web application development.
ASP. NET Web Pages
The ASP.NET web page programming model is Razor syntax-based and lightweight. This model is a single-page model and comes with a built-in template that assists in the development of beautiful and appealing web applications. The tool WebMatrix can be used to develop ASP.NET web pages.
Differences Between .NET and ASP.NET
Developers will obviously know the differences between .NET and ASP.NET when it comes to .NET development. Distinguishing the difference becomes difficult for investors and beginner developers.
Basic Difference
The .NET framework is a software development platform created by Microsoft. It provides all the instructions and interfaces needed to develop Windows service applications.
.NET finds use in a wide range of application development such as Windows applications, mobile and web applications. For developers that want to easily develop, debug, and run applications, .NET is a viable option.
ASP.NET is actually an essential component of the .NET Windows environment. Again like the .NET framework, ASP.NET simplifies the development, debugging, and deployment of applications.
Although ASP.NET and .NET are both essential to complete the Microsoft programming strategy, the concepts of both are different. .NET is an open-source programming language used to develop software applications while ASP.NET is used to develop web applications.
Architecture
The .NET is a complete development platform that applies to developing, debugging, and deploying applications. .NET development technology and CRL are the main runtime engines that execute and monitor .NET applications.
On the other hand, ASP.NET is composed of three components, Library, Language, and common language runtime. Unlike .NET, ASP.NET is modularized and component-based.
Application Development
.NET currently boasts of being able to develop applications for Windows, PC, mobile, and web applications, making it very useful! Previously, NET development was restricted to making applications for Microsoft and PCs, this is now a thing of the past.
The efficiency and productivity of .NET make the development of robust and versatile applications easier and faster. This applies to the client-side, server-side, and multi-tier applications.
ASP.NET is not a separate development platform but rather one that works as part of the .NET development framework. You can use ASP.NET technology to develop websites that need to be scalable, dynamic, and data-driven. ASP.NET only works for developing only server-side applications.
Libraries and Tools
The .NET framework is compatible with some 200 programming languages. The most common ones being C#, C++, VB, J#, F#, etc. It contains a set of development tools. Amongst these tools are several versions of Visual Studio. This Visual Studio is a class library commonly used to develop Windows applications and web services.
ASP.NET is unified with .NET and the Visual Studio, and applications it creates are built upon the common language runtime (CLR). Languages that .NET supports can be used to write ASP.NET applications.
Conclusion
Together .NET and ASP.NET form an impressive .NET development environment for software and web applications. Both technologies are well supported and this makes them quite versatile in their use. Debugging is not a hassle in either of these frameworks.
ASP.NET is responsible for making web applications dynamic. While .NET caters to the rapid development of complex enterprise software. Either way, both frameworks speed up and simplify the development process.
