.NET Core vs .NET Framework vs Xamarin
💡 Concept Name
.NET Core vs .NET Framework vs Xamarin
📘 Quick Intro
This topic highlights the differences between the major .NET implementations and their role in desktop, web, and mobile development.
🧠 Analogy / Short Story
Think of .NET Framework as the classic family sedan, .NET Core as the high-performance hybrid for modern roads, and Xamarin as the off-road vehicle for mobile terrains. Same core principles, different terrains.
🔧 Technical Explanation
- 🖥️ .NET Framework: Windows-only, mature, supports Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET (not Core).
- 🌍 .NET Core: Cross-platform, high-performance, modern web apps and APIs.
- 📱 Xamarin: Cross-platform mobile (iOS, Android) using C# and .NET for UI and logic.
- 🔧 All three share the .NET standard libraries to some degree.
- 🧩 With .NET 5+, .NET Core and Xamarin are merged into the unified .NET platform.
🎯 Purpose & Use Case
- ✅ Use .NET Framework for legacy Windows desktop apps.
- ✅ Use .NET Core for new cloud-based web apps, APIs, and CLI tools.
- ✅ Use Xamarin to build native mobile apps with shared codebase.
💻 Real Code Example
All three use similar C# syntax. Here's a simple shared logic method:
public class GreetingService {
public string GetGreeting(string name) => $""Hello, {name}!"";
}This method can be used in .NET Core API, .NET Framework WinForms, and Xamarin mobile apps alike.
❓ Interview Q&A
Q1: Is .NET Core cross-platform?
A: Yes, it runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Q2: Which one supports mobile app development?
A: Xamarin.
Q3: Which is better for legacy desktop apps?
A: .NET Framework.
Q4: Can I share code between Xamarin and .NET Core?
A: Yes, via .NET Standard libraries.
Q5: Is .NET Framework still supported?
A: Yes, but it’s in maintenance mode.
📝 MCQs
Q1. Which is cross-platform?
- .NET Framework
- .NET Core
- XNA
- Mono
Q2. Which framework supports mobile apps?
- Xamarin
- .NET Framework
- .NET Core
- Blazor
Q3. Which one is legacy?
- .NET 6
- .NET Core
- .NET Framework
- MAUI
Q4. Can Xamarin share logic with .NET Core?
- No
- Yes, using .NET Standard
- Only through DLL
- Via REST APIs
Q5. What platform merged everything?
- .NET Core 2.1
- .NET 3.5
- .NET 5+
- .NET Standard
💡 Bonus Insight
.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is the evolution of Xamarin and aims to unify UI development across mobile and desktop in .NET 6+.
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