The Saga of .NET Core and ASP.NET Core

.NET Core, once the shiny new kid on the block, has taken an interesting journey in the world of software development. Its evolution has been marked by leaps and bounds, strategic pivots, and even a touch of deprecation – leaving some developers confused and scratching their heads. Let's untangle the complicated timeline of .NET Core and see how ASP.NET Core fits into the puzzle.

From Humble Beginnings to Cross-Platform Star:

Born in 2014, .NET Core arrived as a modern, modular, and open-source reimagining of the time-tested and popular .NET Framework. Its long-awaited focus on cross-platform compatibility was received with huge fanfare, freeing developers from the shackles of Windows-only development.

The Rise of the "Core" and the Unification Dream:

As .NET Core's popularity soared, Microsoft dreamed of a unified .NET future. Enter .NET 5 in 2020, merging .NET Core with Xamarin and ASP.NET Core under one banner. The "Core" moniker was dumped, symbolizing a new era of one .NET to rule them all.

The Plot Twist: Core Deprecation, But Not for ASP.NET Core?

Here's where things get interesting. In 2022, Microsoft announced the deprecation of .NET Core itself, leaving developers wondering, "What about my .NET Core projects?" Fear not! The deprecation only applies to the ".NET Core" runtime and libraries. ASP.NET Core, the web development framework we all know and love, is still very much alive and kicking under the unified .NET umbrella.

So, what does this mean for you?

• Existing .NET Core projects: They're safe! You can continue using and maintaining them without worry. Microsoft will continue to provide security patches and bug fixes for the foreseeable future.

• New projects: Start your new projects with the latest version of .NET. This version represents the true future of .NET, offering the latest features and performance improvements.

ASP.NET Core: The Beacon in the .NET Landscape:

ASP.NET Core remains the go-to web framework for .NET developers. It's modern, lightweight, and offers superb cross-platform capabilities. Whether you're building APIs, web applications, or microservices, ASP.NET Core is your trusty companion.

The Takeaway:

While the ".NET Core" label might be fading away, its spirit lives on within the unified .NET. Embrace the latest versions of .NET and ASP.NET Core to leverage the best of both worlds – modern features, cross-platform flexibility, and a bright future ahead. Remember, the deprecation is more of a name change than a retirement party. So, dust off your coding skills, grab your favorite IDE, and dive into the exciting world of .NET, where ASP.NET Core continues to shine!

P.S. Don't let the deprecation news discourage you from exploring other .NET offerings like Blazor and MAUI. The .NET ecosystem is thriving, and there's something for everyone to build amazing things.

I hope this blog post has clarified the evolution of .NET Core and its relationship with ASP.NET Core.