Exploring Cross-Platform Development with .NET Core

The capability to build applications that work seamlessly on multiple platforms is a highly sought-after skill in today’s development world. Fortunately, with .NET Core, cross-platform development is easier than ever. Whether you’re learning .NET Core, ASP.NET Core, using Entity Framework Core, or interested in building microservices, this guide will introduce you to the cross-platform capabilities of .NET Core.

1. What is Cross-Platform Development?
2. Understanding .NET Core
3. Building Your First Cross-Platform Application
4. Cross-Platform ASP.NET Core Web Development
5. Using Entity Framework Core
6. Building Cross-Platform Microservices
7. Conclusion

Cross-platform development refers to the process of developing software products or services for multiple platforms or software environments. Developers can reuse the code and easily set it up to run on different platforms, such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

.NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework developed by Microsoft. It supports the development and deployment of cloud-based, internet-connected applications, like web apps, IoT apps, and mobile backends.

Let’s start by creating a basic console application that runs on different operating systems.

1. Install .NET Core: Download and install .NET Core SDK from the .NET Core official download page. This works for Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

2. Create a new Console App: Open a terminal window and run the following commands:

   dotnet new console -o HelloWorld
   cd HelloWorld
   

3. Run the Application: In the project directory, type dotnet run. The console should display “Hello World!”.

Now you have a .NET Core application that can run on any platform that supports .NET Core.

Just like console applications, you can develop ASP.NET Core web applications that run on any platform. Here’s a quick example of creating an ASP.NET Core Web App:

1. Create a new Web App: Open a terminal window and run the following commands:

   dotnet new webapp -o MyWebApp
   cd MyWebApp
   

2. Run the Application: In the project directory, type dotnet run. Then, open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost:5000. You should see your new web application.

Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a lightweight, extensible, and cross-platform version of the popular Entity Framework data access technology. Like other aspects of .NET Core, EF Core works seamlessly across platforms.

.NET Core is an excellent choice for building cross-platform microservices. Its performance, modularity, and support for containers and Docker make it easy to build and deploy microservices on various platforms.

Cross-platform development is an essential part of modern software development, and .NET Core provides all the tools and capabilities needed to build robust cross-platform applications. So whether you’re starting your web development training or diving into microservices, .NET Core is a fantastic choice for a smooth, cross-platform development experience. Happy coding!