Pros of dotnet

• More comprehensive documentation and resources
• Broader scope, covering the entire .NET ecosystem
• Active community engagement and contributions

Cons of dotnet

• Larger repository size, potentially slower to clone and navigate
• May include more experimental or less stable features
• Higher complexity due to its broader scope

Code Comparison

core:

// Example from dotnet/core
using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello from .NET Core!");
    }
}

dotnet:

// Example from microsoft/dotnet
using System;

namespace DotNetExample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Hello from .NET!");
        }
    }
}

Summary

Both repositories are essential for .NET development, but serve different purposes. core focuses on the core runtime and framework, while dotnet encompasses a broader range of .NET-related projects and resources. Developers may find core more suitable for specific runtime-related issues, while dotnet offers a more comprehensive view of the .NET ecosystem.

Pros of aspnetcore

• More focused on web development, providing specialized tools and frameworks
• Includes built-in middleware and components for web applications
• Offers a more comprehensive set of libraries for building web APIs and services

Cons of aspnetcore

• Larger repository size due to more specialized components
• Steeper learning curve for developers new to web development
• May include unnecessary features for non-web projects

Code Comparison

aspnetcore:

app.UseRouting();
app.UseEndpoints(endpoints =>
{
    endpoints.MapControllers();
});

core:

var host = new HostBuilder()
    .ConfigureServices((hostContext, services) =>
    {
        services.AddHostedService<Worker>();
    })
    .Build();

The aspnetcore example shows routing configuration specific to web applications, while the core example demonstrates a more general-purpose host setup.

Both repositories are part of the .NET ecosystem, with core serving as the foundation for cross-platform .NET development and aspnetcore building upon it to provide web-specific functionality. Developers should choose based on their project requirements, with aspnetcore being the better choice for web applications and core for more general-purpose or non-web projects.

Pros of mono

• Longer history and more mature codebase
• Broader platform support, including older systems
• More flexible licensing (MIT/X11)

Cons of mono

• Generally slower performance than .NET Core
• Less active development and community support
• Limited compatibility with newer .NET features

Code Comparison

mono:

public class Example
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello from Mono!");
    }
}

core:

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello from .NET Core!");
    }
}

The code structure is similar, but core uses more modern C# conventions with the static void Main(string[] args) signature. Both examples achieve the same result of printing a message to the console.

mono has been a crucial project for cross-platform .NET development, especially before the advent of .NET Core. It still maintains relevance for certain use cases and older systems. However, core has become the primary focus for modern .NET development, offering better performance and more frequent updates. The choice between the two depends on specific project requirements, target platforms, and desired features.

Pros of runtime

• More focused and specific to runtime components
• Actively maintained and receives regular updates
• Better organized for contributors focusing on core runtime elements

Cons of runtime

• Steeper learning curve for newcomers due to its complexity
• May require more setup time for certain development scenarios
• Less comprehensive documentation compared to core

Code Comparison

runtime:

public static int Main(string[] args)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Hello from runtime!");
    return 0;
}

core:

public class Program
{
    public static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello from core!");
    }
}

Summary

Runtime is more focused on the .NET runtime components, offering a deeper dive into the core functionality. It's actively maintained and well-organized for contributors interested in low-level improvements. However, it may present a steeper learning curve and require more setup time for certain scenarios.

Core, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive overview of the .NET ecosystem, making it easier for newcomers to get started. It offers broader documentation but may not be as up-to-date or specific as runtime for certain runtime-related tasks.

The code comparison shows subtle differences in structure, with runtime using a more concise approach and returning an integer, while core uses a class-based structure typical of many .NET applications.

Pros of aspnetcore

• More focused on web development, providing specialized tools and frameworks
• Includes built-in middleware and components for web applications
• Offers a more comprehensive set of libraries for building web APIs and services

Cons of aspnetcore

• Larger repository size due to more specialized components
• Steeper learning curve for developers new to web development
• May include unnecessary features for non-web projects

Code Comparison

aspnetcore:

app.UseRouting();
app.UseEndpoints(endpoints =>
{
    endpoints.MapControllers();
});

core:

var host = new HostBuilder()
    .ConfigureServices((hostContext, services) =>
    {
        services.AddHostedService<Worker>();
    })
    .Build();

The aspnetcore example shows routing configuration specific to web applications, while the core example demonstrates a more general-purpose host setup.

Both repositories are part of the .NET ecosystem, with core serving as the foundation for cross-platform .NET development and aspnetcore building upon it to provide web-specific functionality. Developers should choose based on their project requirements, with aspnetcore being the better choice for web applications and core for more general-purpose or non-web projects.

Pros of MAUI

• Enables cross-platform development for mobile and desktop apps
• Provides a unified UI framework for .NET developers
• Offers native performance and access to platform-specific features

Cons of MAUI

• Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Core
• Limited to specific platforms (iOS, Android, macOS, Windows)
• Steeper learning curve for developers new to mobile development

Code Comparison

MAUI (XAML):

<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyApp.MainPage">
    <StackLayout>
        <Label Text="Welcome to .NET MAUI!" />
    </StackLayout>
</ContentPage>

Core (ASP.NET Core):

public class Startup
{
    public void Configure(IApplicationBuilder app)
    {
        app.UseRouting();
        app.UseEndpoints(endpoints => { endpoints.MapGet("/", () => "Hello World!"); });
    }
}

MAUI focuses on cross-platform UI development, while Core provides a broader framework for web and server-side applications. MAUI is ideal for building native mobile and desktop apps, whereas Core excels in web development, microservices, and backend systems. The choice between them depends on the specific project requirements and target platforms.