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According to Statista, .NET is the most popular backend development technology with 25.29% developers using it. This framework has a solid list of benefits that allow it to stand out from the competition. Much like the stalwarts of backend development such as Java, .NET boasts a thriving ecosystem and an impressive array of supporting technologies and best practices. What truly sets .NET apart, however, is its ability to blend maturity with innovation, surpassing many other popular backend solutions. No wonder that this object-oriented framework is one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing technologies in the software development industry.
As a successor of .NET Framework, .NET (also known as .NET Core) is a perfect fit for most software development projects. But, just like any other software development technology, it has both upsides and downsides. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of .NET software development and discuss the main use cases for this backend framework.
The Pros of .NET Development
.NET has an impressive list of benefits, many of which depend on configurations and developers’ skills. In this article, we will focus on the underlying .NET advantages that will positively impact any software development project involving this framework in its stack.
High performance
When it comes to performance, .NET outshines most other backend technologies. This framework is perfect for handling large amounts of data and traffic. And there’s room for further acceleration thanks to a solid list of .NET performance and code optimization practices. In skilled hands, .NET’s already impressive performance can be taken to even greater heights, especially with new .NET releases.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
Apps developed with .NET are fast, high-performing, and efficient. Whether it goes about high-load solutions for managing business resources or customer-facing interactive applications, both will benefit from the inclusion of .NET as the primary backend technology.
Compatibility with other Microsoft technologies
As a part of the Microsoft tech stack, .NET is a perfect match for companies that rely on Microsoft’s arsenal of services. In particular, applications developed with .NET smoothly integrate with Office 365, SharePoint, or various Azure services. Besides, .NET is built to run with SQL Server, which is, for a good reason, the world’s most popular database technology embracing 30.99% of the global database market.
Integrations with technologies from outside the Microsoft tech stack are also not very problematic for .NET. Developers can also use Web APIs or Web Services to integrate .NET solutions with almost any apps or technologies found across the web.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
If you are relying on services from the Microsoft stack, integration of an app built with .NET will be a logical solution because of their native compatibility. Also, .NET means fast and efficient development of software relying on SQL Server, a database known for its utmost efficiency and scalability.
Flexible deployment
Flexibility is one of .NET’s main selling points. There is an opportunity to install .NET modules as a part of an application or separately. Modular design simplifies the deployment of software built with .NET. These modules easily integrate with .NET’s out-of-the box features, such as authorization, exception handling, and logging. Besides, different .NET versions perfectly combine with each other, which secures developers from unexpected and unpleasant code inconsistencies. Unlike several other frameworks, .NET doesn’t require code changes for upgrading its version. All that developers need to do is change the number of the framework’s version in a project file.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
.NET’s flexible deployment simply means fast development and, consequently, your app’s shorter time to market. In addition, this feature expands the opportunity for app’s customization in the long run.
Excellent security
Security and compliance are among the main buzzwords in the modern software development market, and .NET responds to this demand with its built-in security features. For example, .NET offers robust and easy to set up role-based access control (RBAC), which prevents unauthorized access to the application’s functionality. Combined with the best app development practices, .NET’s security features help developers build a solid wall protecting software and its data from any cyber threats.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
If a .NET app is developed by responsible and security-aware developers, you may rest assured that they will deliver fortified software with all access attempts monitored and all sensitive data protected. You may also expect excellent security for your vulnerable information and feel safe about your reputation.
Object-oriented software development
.NET’s critical feature is an object-oriented model of programming (OOP). This model breaks down software development into smaller pieces. The data is divided into objects. A developer can define the behavior of objects with the declaration of classes. Such a splitting makes code more transparent and logically isolated, reducing the number of bugs. It also makes .NET code much easier to test and manage. OOP principles stand for building well-defined software architectures, which means that apps created with .NET adhere to standardized practices, resulting in clear architectures and fewer defects.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
Your developers can write .NET code fast without spending too much time on the configuration of objects. Manageability and simple connectivity of the objects also contribute to rapid development, which is one of .NET’s greatest advantages.
Support for cloud-based architecture
With its excellent scalability, cost-efficiency, manageability, and a wide array of other benefits, cloud development is on the rise. And .NET easily adapts to this software development trend, as the framework creates a perfect match with Azure. However, other members of the “cloud development’s Big Three” are not overlooked as well. There are solid lists of practices for building .NET applications on AWS or GCP. .NET is also well-optimized for building a microservices architecture in the cloud, providing short cold start times.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
.NET development is your optimum solution if you are aiming to build an app in the cloud. As a result, you have excellent chances to leverage the many benefits of cloud software architecture, such as scalability, managed security, flexible pricing, integration with cloud-based services, and delegated manageability.
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON EFFICIENT CLOUD COST OPTIMIZATION
As one of the world’s most popular programming frameworks, .NET has a huge ecosystem of libraries, such as Automapper, tools, and services provided by a vast community of developers. Moreover, a wealth of tried-and-true tips and best practices, as well as official documentation with detailed guides and instructions, are readily accessible from the most seasoned .NET development experts.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
A huge number of .NET development tips and tricks leaves no space for insoluble application development challenges. In addition, many .NET code fragments are ready-made and can be reused, boosting the development and bringing your solution closer to its release date.
Cross-platform development
Since the release of .NET Core, efficient cross-platform development has become one of .NET’s main selling points. The code written in this framework fits both Windows, MacOS, and Linux platforms. .NET developers can also build mobile applications by using the framework in combination with other cross-platform development technologies, such as Flutter or MAUI.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
There’s no need to embrace native development for different platforms. Code written in .NET can fit different devices and operating systems, which significantly shortens the app’s time to release and helps a business save budget.
Nothing in this world is perfect, and, just like any other software development technology, .NET has its downsides. Let’s explore some of them, as well as provide suggestions on how you can mitigate their impact.
Challenges with cost estimation
Licenses for most services in the .NET stack don’t come for free. For example, Visual Studio IDE components ensuring the quality of code, as well as additional quality assurance services, can mount the cost of .NET development for big businesses. Sometimes, the final check for a .NET development project can surpass the initial projections because the need to use additional tools and services may appear on the fly.
What does this mean from the business perspective?
Developing a high-quality .NET application sometimes may be more expensive than you expect. However, you can deal with this problem if you are in for thorough planning and detailed project estimates. Also, experienced .NET developers will apply their best practices to minimize expenses and help you stay within budget.
Compiled programming
.NET operates with compiled programming languages, which can sometimes result in code that appears less concise, especially when compared to more code-efficient technologies like Python. While each .NET update strives to enhance this situation, some aspects of coding with .NET may still pose greater challenges than coding with scripted programming languages.
What does this mean from the business perspective?
The lengthier the code, the more time it takes to develop. Consequently, this can extend the app’s time to market and demand increased effort from the developers. However, in the vast majority of cases, this issue is not significant enough to have a substantial business impact.
Also, by leveraging the latest .NET releases and opting for more flexible libraries (such as Dapper instead of Entity Framework), you can minimize the length of your .NET code.
Frontend development limitations
.NET may not be the optimal choice for frontend development. While it does offer technologies like ASP.NET, MVC Core, and Blazor for frontend development, in terms of flexibility and functionality, these technologies may lag behind JavaScript-powered frameworks like Angular, React.js, and Vue.js.
What does it mean from the business perspective?
Relying solely on the .NET stack might not suffice for developing a complete app. While you can depend on .NET specialists for creating an excellent backend, it is advisable to seek expertise in other technologies for frontend development.
There is an option of hiring full-stack specialists who are well-versed in both .NET and JavaScript-powered frontend development frameworks. Since .NET perfectly integrates with leading frontend technologies, such as Angular, you can expect fruitful cooperation of .NET backend developers with JavaScript frontend specialists.
When to Use .NET?
Now here is a table that summarizes the pros and cons of .NET. The number of advantages is quite solid, while all .NET downsides can be mitigated with the right approach and best software development and project planning practices.
Consequently, developing your app’s backend with .NET is an excellent idea. .NET is a perfect fit if you need to develop…
Large-scale web applications
.NET’s high performance and object-oriented programming make it an optimum solution for building large web apps providing a great range of features and processing significant loads of dynamic data.
For example, our team has applied .NET as a backend solution for building a legal case management platform possessing a vast client base of 500+ organizations and having more than 13,000 users. Dealing with data from over 25 years of operations from all across the U.S., this heavyweight application needed solid computing power and performance. A stable backend built with .NET became the backbone of the platform’s stability, along with its fast loading, searching, and data processing capabilities.
Interactive mobile applications
.NET is not associated with mobile app development. However, cross-platform compatibility of .NET Core code makes it a great solution for building highly dynamic and interactive mobile apps.
The Leobit team has applied .NET Core as the primary backend solution for building LeoStep, a dynamic walking, running, and cycling app fostering wellness programs. A stable backend allows the app to process high loads of dynamic user information and records, as well as ensure its integration with external services supporting its core functionality.
Cross-platform solutions
We’ve already mentioned cross-platform development as one of .NET’s most significant benefits. If you are planning to build an application that will run across different devices and operating systems without recreating everything from scratch, .NET Core is a dream solution.
Our team used NET Core combined with Flutter to develop a cross-platform mobile app for indoor sports activities. The users can select their preferred sports activity, such as yoga or fitness, and download or attend virtual classes. Cross-platform development with .NET and Flutter allowed us to build a stable app that runs smoothly across different devices in much shorter terms compared to a native development approach.
One more common use case for .NET is building highly dynamic web applications integrated with a wide array of portals and dealing with significant loads of dynamic data. Such platforms often face performance issues, and .NET backend is a one-stop solution for solving them.
A perfect example of developing such a project is a veteran coaching platform upgraded by our team. This software offers educational and coaching programs to military veterans. A backend built with .NET allowed us to ensure the app’s fast performance and build strong connections between the server and the interface. The customer received a high-performing app that easily deals with significant loads of data at scale.
Conclusions
This overview gives answers to many questions about the popularity of .NET as a backend technology. This framework boasts a great number of benefits and is constantly evolving to make backend developers’ experience even more convenient and enjoyable. While .NET has a share of drawbacks, these can be effectively mitigated with the right approach and the best practices mastered through expertise.
And if you are in search of such expertise, Leobit has a lot to offer to you. With .NET as our favorite backend technology, we certainly know how to help you harness all its benefits. Our portfolio includes dozens of successful .NET projects, and we certainly know how to deliver. Contact us for a more substantial talk if you are interested in tapping into the potential of the world’s most popular backend technology!
Authors
Roman Muzyka
Market Data Analyst
Roman has a deep passion for a wide array of subjects, spanning from market insights to in-depth technical examinations of complex projects. He dives deep into technical aspects of various solutions to extract valuable insights for business purposes, and he enjoys sharing tips and tricks with business owners to help them leverage advanced technologies effectively.
Vasyl Vasyuta
Cloud Expert, Lead Full Stack Developer
Vasyl holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics and has broad experience building and maintaining complex software systems, with a particular focus on using cloud technology. His unique perspective lets him bridge the gap between intricate scientific concepts and practical software development, resulting in cutting-edge technology solutions.
Leobit
