What is the difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework, and when would you choose to use one over the other?

.NET Core:

.NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework for developing modern, cloud-based applications. It supports building applications that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. .NET Core is modular and lightweight, allowing developers to only include the necessary libraries for their applications.

.NET Framework:

.NET Framework is a Windows-only framework that has been around for many years. It provides a large set of libraries and tools for building Windows applications. While .NET Framework offers more built-in functionality, it is not as flexible or lightweight as .NET Core.

When to choose .NET Core:

• If you need to develop cross-platform applications that can run on various operating systems.
• If you want a more modern and modular framework that allows for greater flexibility in application development.
• If you need to build cloud-native applications that can scale easily and be deployed in containerized environments.

When to choose .NET Framework:

• If you are developing a Windows-specific application that does not need to run on other operating systems.
• If you require access to a wide range of pre-built libraries and tools that are only available in the .NET Framework.
• If you are working on a legacy project that was built using the .NET Framework and requires compatibility with existing code.