Choosing the right application development platform can be tough. With so many platforms, each with pros and cons, how do you know which one is best for you, both short-term and long-term?
One of the most popular and widely adopted app development platforms is .NET, known for its scalability, robustness, and reliability. There’s no doubt that .NET is a capable contender for being the best enterprise app development platform, a must-have for many developers, as well as product owners and CTOs worldwide.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the .NET framework, including a detailed list of .NET pros and cons, to help you decide if .NET is the best application development platform for enterprises in 2023.
What Is .NET?
NET is a development framework built by Microsoft that makes it easier for developers to create all sorts of applications. From desktop, web, and mobile apps, to IoT and machine learning. Think of it as a central hub where coding magic happens!
.NET development implies multiple programming languages with interoperability, meaning that code written in one language can call and interact with code written in another language.
For example, a developer can use C# to write an application data layer and F# to carry out functional programming and write the business logic. Or a developer can call a C++ library from a C# program. This versatility makes .NET a serious tool for enterprise application development, allowing coders using different programming languages to collaborate with ease.
.NET’s huge library of pre-built code is one of its best and most crucial features.
Developers save lots of time by having access to common reusable code libraries. The result? Tasks get completed more efficiently.
.NET can make the development process faster, smoother, and a whole lot less stressful.
But how effective is it at the enterprise level, and is it the best application development platform in 2023?
Pros and cons of .NET for enterprise app development
There’s no doubt that .NET is one of the most popular app development platforms in the world. With its dynamic versatility and ease of use, it’s a popular choice for enterprise app development.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of .NET.
Pros
.NET cross-platform development
.NET lets developers use a single codebase to create applications that can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux. This is a big deal for businesses needing to cater to a diverse user base or employees using different systems.
It also means that developers can save time and resources by only needing to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms. It also gives them access to a codebase library of common commands.
These advantages provided by .NET’s cross-platform capabilities make it an ideal choice for enterprise-level development.
Visual Studio support – Integrated Development Environment
Visual Studio is a powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that comes with .NET, making it easy for developers to develop, test, debug and deploy enterprise-level web apps.
Visual Studio includes features like IntelliSense, code snippets, and visual design to let developers create high-quality, enterprise-level apps quickly and efficiently. Anything from CRMs and ERPs to inventory management systems and even security systems. Visual Studio simplifies the design process to bring real results at an enterprise-level fast.
Debugging and testing tools are also available to identify and fix issues, streamlining development even further in real-time, which is vital for enterprise-scale operations.
Reliability – Building high-performance applications with .NET framework
Microsoft’s backing helps make .NET one of the most reliable and secure frameworks out there, providing a robust and secure platform for building high-performance applications.
With lots of support, regular updates, and a large community of developers for troubleshooting and assistance, .NET is accessible to all.
And if any potential problems arise, Microsoft usually has a solution (or somebody on a support forum will!)
.NET as the popular choice for enterprise digital products
It’s no surprise that .NET is the go-to choice for many businesses.
With its combination of robust security, reliability, support, and regular updates, it has become a top choice for enterprise-level development. Its compatibility with Visual Studio, its cross-platform capabilities, and its ability to run on multiple operating systems make it a versatile choice for businesses.
Cons
Of course, with all its upsides, .NET has a few downsides too. Here are a few to keep in mind.
High Licence Costs
Want .NET’s best features at an enterprise level? The costs can start to add up, so it’s wise to start by looking at the different pricing plans and see how they fit your budget.
The primary development tool for .NET is Visual Studio, with the Professional edition alone costing $500 per year. This can be a significant expense for small businesses that may not have the budget for expensive development tools.
Additionally, some features of Visual Studio are only available on the more expensive editions of the software, like the Enterprise edition, which can cost up to $5,999 per year.
It’s important to note that free versions of the software are available, but these come with limited features.
Locked ecosystem
The .NET framework is controlled by Microsoft, meaning developers are at the mercy of Microsoft for any updates or changes to the framework.
As a result, developers may need to adapt their applications to accommodate any changes that Microsoft makes to the framework, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Plus, if Microsoft discontinues support for older features, developers might have trouble maintaining their applications.
Memory Leaks
The .NET framework can be prone to occasional memory issues, including memory leaks that could lead to performance issues.
Memory leaks occur when an application doesn’t properly release the memory it no longer needs, leading to a gradual increase in memory usage. Memory leaks can cause whole systems and applications to crash. At an enterprise level, this can be a real disaster.
These issues are not easy to solve, especially when dealing with large data sets or complex object hierarchies, making it harder for developers to maintain their .NET applications.
The good news is there are several means through .NET memory leaks can be mitigated, if not even better, prevented, such as:
– avoiding keeping references to managed and unmanaged objects longer than necessary.
– using pinning or, pre-allocating large objects on their own section of memory
– using compacting techniques where allocating fewer small objects
– only relying on static references when necessary
– ensure that unmanaged objects are disposed in the code through the “Dispose” method
Not sure if .NET development is suitable for your business? RebelDot can help
Whether or not to use .NET for enterprise application development will depend on your specific needs and the type of application you’re looking to develop.
It’s important to consider all the factors we’ve mentioned above and evaluate if .NET aligns with your project requirements and budgets before making a decision.
If you want to know whether .NET is the best enterprise application development platform for your business in 2023, our team can help.
At RebelDot, our .NET development specialists, together with the entire cross-functional team are committed to understand your business vision and help you achieve your goals through transparent collaboration and communication.
Working with RebelDot means collaborating with a full product development team that offers consultancy and proactive insights throughout the end-to-end process.
We can guide you through the process of developing your enterprise applications and any other aspects of your enterprise app development, including design, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
Get in touch today and tell us about your ideas.
