Syed Fahad Anwar - PeerSpot reviewer
Principal System Developer at HHRC
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Easy to use, scalable, and stable
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use."
  • "The solution could improve by optimizing the memory for better performance."

What is our primary use case?

You are able to develop applications using Microsoft .NET Framework. It is a development framework.

How has it helped my organization?

Using Microsoft.NET Framework we developed many Line of Business Applications, which empowers digital transformation and optimized business processes.

What is most valuable?

The solution is easy to use.

What needs improvement?

The solution could improve by optimizing the memory for better performance.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft .NET Framework
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft .NET Framework. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for approximately 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable because Mircosoft releases updates frequently.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

We have approximately 13 users using this solution.

How are customer service and support?

When we have contacted Microsoft Support they ask too many questions and requiring too many details. They sometimes do not assign the right person that has the knowledge to deal with the support ticket.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward. The time for the deployment depends on the environment, but it typically takes approximately 45 minutes.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation myself. However, I would recommend using a team of experts for the deployment and maintenance of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is free but you need to pay for a license for the hosting service.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others. However, they need to understand the capability of the Framework, and they should align their solution according to the Framework to prevent any showstopper or bottlenecks in their development process.

I rate Microsoft .NET Framework a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IS Technical Architect at AVARA FOODS HOLDINGS LIMITED
Real User
Rapid development, easy installation, and excellent technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The .NET Framework is a very good framework. It does what I need it to do."
  • "This solution is best used with some training."

What is our primary use case?

I have built many things in Microsoft .NET Framework. At a high level, the main focus would be on integration.

Microsoft .NET Framework is primarily for the integration of solutions.

How has it helped my organization?

It enables us to do rapid development. We can develop solutions very quickly.

What is most valuable?

It is easy to use, and it runs on a Windows platform.

The .NET Framework is a very good framework. It does what I need it to do.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with different versions of Microsoft .NET Framework for 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft .NET Framework is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's a scalable product.

In our organization, we have 700 users.

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft technical support is excellent.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

The previous solution we used, was also provided by Microsoft and Microsoft retired it.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward. It's very easy.

It took an hour to deploy this solution.

We have a team of five analysts, and developers to maintain this solution.

What about the implementation team?

Hitachi Consulting and Oracle Consulting have assisted us in other companies.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Microsoft .NET Framework is licensed under the Windows License.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to others would go to get some training. This solution is best used with some training.

I would rate Microsoft .NET Framework a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft .NET Framework
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft .NET Framework. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
769,599 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PeerSpot user
Software Engineer at Micron Technologies, Inc
Real User
It simplified operations dealing with the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces
Pros and Cons
  • "Initial setup is straightforward. All the components are readily available."
  • "The addition of generics to handle common functionality across types, and the more recent upgrade of the dataset to the Entity Framework, has cut development time drastically, while increasing quality and confidence between builds."
  • "The .NET Framework simplified operations dealing with the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces and the additional processing resources."
  • "Needs stronger security with respect to cloud issues."

What is our primary use case?

The .NET Framework is the foundation for software design and development. This is the context that I use it in, and the perspective that I view the discussion about it.

How has it helped my organization?

Coming out of C++, the .NET Framework simplified operations dealing with the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces and the additional processing resources. Adding this feature to the .NET Framework has freed countless hours of leak management. 

What is most valuable?

The addition of generics to handle common functionality across types, and the more recent upgrade of the dataset to the Entity Framework, has cut development time drastically, while increasing quality and confidence between builds. Finally, the test framework allows for increased velocity. 

Most recently, the updates tot he Entity Framework, and the addition of the ability to work with mobile applications have also been huge additions

What needs improvement?

  • Stronger security with respect to cloud issues
  • Greater flexibility with data connections
  • Better control
  • Extensibility of the framework as a whole

For how long have I used the solution?

More than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Changes in technology generally happen faster than any single entity can keep up with. But the side-by-side Runyon capability handles most stability issues behind the scenes. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Only the ones that were fixed. 

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not had to use the support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

No.

How was the initial setup?

It is straightforward. All the components are readily available.

What about the implementation team?

Started as part of a school program.

What was our ROI?

I can't measure ROI, because I've never used a different technology stack.  Switching from one to another has not been an issue. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Do your homework. Consider the partnership program.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

No.

What other advice do I have?

With the advent of IoT, combined with cross-platform development, the .Net framework becomes much more versatile. We should begin to see apps scaling down in size, but also (literally) covering more ground. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
David Shlingbaum - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Development Manager, Architect, Developer at a recreational facilities/services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Top 5
Rich libraries and very good development tools are key to this great solution
Pros and Cons
  • "Ease of use, the richness of the libraries and basically very good development tools."
  • "The .NET open source community could be larger."

What is our primary use case?

Basically all my development work is done with .NET Framework. It's web services, data processing, get web APIs, and also web development. I work as an IT development manager and am also an architect. 

What is most valuable?

The ease of use, the richness of the libraries and basically the good tools are all valuable features. Most important are the very good development tools that Microsoft has, it's a good environment.

What needs improvement?

Things could always be a little easier and smoother. You'll sometimes find bugs but because I'm using an older version these bugs have already been fixed in later versions. The .NET open source community is very small and it would be nice if it were larger. I know Microsoft is now contributing a lot, but in other languages there's not too many frameworks that are not Microsoft. It would be good to have a richer environment for that.

The solution could include an open source framework as an additional feature, I can't think of anything else. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for a total of about 15 years, although I had a break from it for a while.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is fine. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I think scalability is more a matter of architecture. One of the things possibly missing is, as already mentioned, open source framework. You can use Kubernetes or something called Orleans but there's not too much richness in that area, but there are solutions. Scalability is a matter of architecture, it's not a matter of programming language.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have an option for technical support but haven't used it. I generally find my solutions on the internet. 

How was the initial setup?

The new versions are really, really easy and smooth and they get their updates. I'm migrating now from an older to a newer version and the setup is very easy. The old version had some glitches. I think the setup of the tool is fairly easy.

What other advice do I have?

My advice is that C# is a very rich language with lots of advanced facilities, which makes it easier to develop by not being too complex. There are a lot of libraries in out-of-the- box .NET Frameworks, which gives you tools to do almost anything you need and there are extension libraries for most of the rest. It's not the same as Python which is a bit slower but has a lot of libraries because everybody writes libraries for Python. But most of the time I find what I need.

I would rate this product a 10 out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Md. Keiuom Miah - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Engineer at Streams Tech, Inc.
MSP
Top 5Leaderboard
Easy to set up and fast with good good CLI support
Pros and Cons
  • "It's easy to create and integrate things."
  • "They should try to improve their Blazor WebAssembly."

What is our primary use case?

For testing purposes, we deploy it on our own server (on the Infrastructure server). For our production, we're deploying it on AWCC too.

Nowadays, Microsoft is trying to fix a few things and build a framework faster than other frameworks. There are a few reasons to choose .NET. However, my supervisor selected this framework for a few scenarios, and our scenario is also quite a good match with the .NET Framework. 

What is most valuable?

We are using, the .NET Core Framework right now. It's the Core platform. They are releasing a new version, and the new version is becoming faster and easier to use compared to other frameworks and other languages. 

The initial setup is easy.

They offer good CLI support.

It's easy to create and integrate things.

What needs improvement?

They're improving many features day by day. Maybe other kinds of support would be helpful. Making it even faster would be welcome. Their ORM is a little bit slow compared to other ORM. That said, comparing to the current version and previous versions, their ORM is now much faster.

They should try to improve their Blazor WebAssembly.

Previously, we used to face difficulties in designing a pattern or this kind of feature. However, right now, they're improving this so it's easier to write than it was before.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has been very stable and reliable. We haven't had issues with bugs or crashes. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In my company, we have more than 100 employees, and more than 50 are using .NET Framework.

Compared to the previous version, the current version is more scalable in .NET Framework.

How are customer service and support?

I've never used technical support. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I'm also familiar with Java. 

How was the initial setup?

The product was easy to set up. It was not an overly complex process. I'd give it an eight or nine out of ten for ease of deployment. Their CLI support is very good. 

The deployment itself is fast and takes about 20 minutes or so. I'm using a Windows server. It might vary based on dependencies. In our case, it was very straightforward since we had everything set up and ready to go. Only one technician was needed to set up the server. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We do not have to pay to use the .NET Framework or other kinds of frameworks. 

What other advice do I have?

We are end-users. 

I'm not sure why the company decided to use the solution. However, they have used it for a while. 

Choosing a framework totally depends on the scenario and project. If you want to build an interface, then the .NET Framework will be good. That said, a Java framework also will be good. I'd recommend either of those frameworks in general. 

I'd rate the solution eight out of ten. they are always trying to improve, unlike other frameworks or languages. There are also good features and a good community around it. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Associate Director at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Great customization and consistently delivers in enterprise-size companies
Pros and Cons
  • "Proven solution with valuable customization."
  • "Lacking in auto-scaling."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is generally for clients that are enterprise-sized businesses like insurance companies or bit telecom companies in the US. They are generally the customers that use this solution and my company provides services to them. Our work is related to putting the solution together and implementing the whole thing end to end. A lot of companies are moving towards the cloud, so either it's AWS or Azure or Google. Google is not as popular as AWS, followed by Microsoft Azure. And of course there are a lot of products on Microsoft which are also popular like their database and of course the Windows server and things like that.

We're a partner of Microsoft and I'm the associate director of our company.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are the customization and the support moving towards a .Net framework.

What needs improvement?

Nothing in particular comes to mind in terms of improvement. It's a proven solution and it really depends on the resources that a company has for maintenance once a solution is in place. That said, it would be good if auto-scaling could be included. I also believe implementation could be simplified.

Microsoft has got a lot of products and improvements would be in the context of a particular product. I've seen there are areas that are much harder to capture - so things like auto scaling and implementation could be improved. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for three or four years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's a stable solution. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's a scalable solution. 

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support is good and they also have some community forums where people can get quick responses to some of the queries that they have. So the community is good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I"ve used Java previously and find it a more portable solution. 

How was the initial setup?

Initial setup is somewhat complex and requires some training. I would say that Microsoft can  improve on that somewhat in terms of enabling someone to understand the process and set it up themselves.

What other advice do I have?

I would definitely recommend that anyone considering implementing the solution do a proof of concept. That gives you an idea as to whether you're on the right path. A company also needs to take into account the requirements of their organization in terms of scalability and ease of maintenance and also whether they have the skill set to maintain the IT resources required. A lot goes into it but proof of concept would be good before going ahead.

I would rate this product an eight out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
Technical Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 20
A software development framework for building and running applications on Windows
Pros and Cons
  • "Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years. One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing."
  • "In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic. I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable. Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook."

What is our primary use case?

I am currently working on the development of a new product using Microsoft .NET Framework. The project is currently in the analysis, architecture, and user acceptance phases. It is a comprehensive system similar to ERP, designed to manage internal resources for a sizable bank. The application focuses on handling IT resources for the bank, and it is being developed in-house.

How has it helped my organization?

Within each specific .NET product of ours, we currently have a robust portfolio with around a dozen products actively running for our customers. Based on the user databases, it's evident that each product is implemented using .NET. In fact, one of our products boasts slightly over one thousand users. This underscores the prevalent use of .NET across our product range.

What is most valuable?

Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years.

One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing.

What needs improvement?

In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic.

I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable.

Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for many years, since 1992 or 1993. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'm frequently questioned about the scalability of .NET products by the company owner. In response, I inquire about the specific aspect of scalability they are interested in. If the concern is about handling sudden surges in traffic, I affirm that .NET is indeed scalable, especially with the implementation of group health checks. This ensures automatic scaling without manual intervention, providing convenience.

Contrary to common misconceptions, I emphasize that the performance of .NET is typically not hindered by processing power but by factors such as disk I/O and database operations. Scaling the database differs significantly from scaling processing power, as it involves handling transactions, open transactions, and conflicting operations. If isolation is not well-implemented, issues may arise. For instance, a database like SQL Server, while appearing appealing a decade ago for its tools and affordability, presented challenges in terms of scaling compared to Oracle. Understanding these nuances is crucial for making informed decisions about scalability.

How are customer service and support?

Regarding customer support from Microsoft, I can say that when we documented issues and submitted tickets, Microsoft was responsive and open, even without direct contact. Working with Microsoft has generally been positive, and their strategic direction is something we have followed closely. Microsoft's commitment to evolving their product has been beneficial for us, even though the unpredictability of their decisions can sometimes pose challenges. In a small company like ours, adapting to changes becomes more complex, especially considering the project size.

As a company, we are also involved in software development for the European Commission, where the strong requirement is to use software from the .NET world. The challenge arises when dealing with Java in parallel, as its community processes add an element of unpredictability. Managing a team that can swiftly adapt to changing technologies is an advantage, but it requires time and effort. The unpredictability of Java's direction contrasts with the more foreseeable evolution of .NET.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have had experiences with Oracle as well as .NET, specifically with the Silverlight framework, though that was some years ago. Silverlight, while not inherently bad, tends to be criticized, and I often advise people to understand its origin as the Presentation Foundation Everywhere (PFE), indicating its intention to provide a unified UI across various platforms. However, due to various challenges, it was eventually phased out, and Silverlight became obsolete. We once had a product active on SolarWinds 3.5, transitioned to SolarWinds Sorin, but unfortunately did not survive beyond Silverlight 5.

How was the initial setup?

Yes, it is easy. .NET has expanded its scope significantly. It's worth noting that while many may mention .NET, not everyone truly comprehends its intricacies. Nowadays, people often focus on microseconds, assuming they grasp the technical aspects, which can be misleading.

Although Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CICD) may seem attractive for automated deployment, the allure of the cloud has somewhat overshadowed the significance of meticulous deployment, as it's often perceived as someone else's responsibility. This shift in perception, coupled with tools like CircleCI, requires a closer examination of their efficiency compared to more conventional platforms like Azure. Understanding the true speed and efficacy of these tools is imperative for making informed decisions.

What about the implementation team?

The shift in the deployment and maintenance is evident, as manual installations are no longer the norm. Intelligence is now directed towards automation, emphasizing the importance of testing. Once this process is completed, confidence in the system's functionality increases, alleviating concerns about manual loading and ensuring an automated and efficient workflow.

Everyone in our organization follows the mindset of having our proprietary tools. The majority of our internal tooling is developed in-house, making us predominantly a .NET-centric environment. While it's true that we also provide Java solutions, most of our confidence lies in .NET due to its reliability. Reflecting on past experiences, there were initial concerns about how autonomously and optimally .NET could run, especially in terms of memory management. However, over time, particularly with the introduction of .NET Core, those concerns have dissipated, and I am now completely confident in the reliability of .NET.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

In the interim, there's no need to purchase videos for viewing. Microsoft has made significant moves in the .NET space, starting with their response in Visual Studio Code and now providing Visual Studio entirely for free. This is a notable shift from the past when we used to pay substantial amounts for technical subscriptions. Previously, a group of ten developers could cost several thousand dollars annually for licensing. However, the current trend is to offer these tools for free to maintain their dominance in the developer market. The market dynamics have changed, and now developers can freely download Visual Studio, making it a preferred choice over other paid options. 

What other advice do I have?

It has been around for about three months, and I've had a chance to delve into the capabilities. As for the .NET Framework, it's advisable not to use it anymore. While there might be some exceptional cases, I don't consider myself an expert on .NET Framework. The trend is shifting away from Framework towards .NET Core and now .NET 5. I would anticipate platforms to adapt and run seamlessly on the newer versions. Transitioning from Framework to newer versions might not be straightforward, particularly in terms of setup and configuration. Working with .NET Core involves a different approach, especially when dealing with configurations and influencing the product's behavior externally.

Switching everything from Framework to .NET Core in a short span may not be feasible, and even if you plan to do so, existing products and customer preferences may necessitate keeping the older products alive. Users may inquire about their familiar products, and it's essential to maintain support for them. Despite these challenges, I find .NET Core, particularly version 8.5, to be highly commendable. It excels in various aspects and is a robust platform, rating it 8.5 out of 10.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Abderrazak Amine - PeerSpot reviewer
Business Unit Manager at COSOFT GROUP
Real User
Top 20
Scalable product with efficient technical support services
Pros and Cons
  • "The technology is very scalable and accessible to use."
  • "The product could have a better framework for application development."

How has it helped my organization?

We use Microsoft .NET Framework to develop various products, including an ERP system.

What is most valuable?

The technology is very scalable and accessible to use.

What needs improvement?

The product could have a better framework for application development. We have used Xamarin technology by Microsoft. It needs to be up-to-date compared to other technologies.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The platform is very stable. I rate its stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have 20 Microsoft .NET Framework users in our organization. We use it every day. I rate its scalability an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support services are good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What other advice do I have?

I rate Microsoft .NET Framework an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Download our free Microsoft .NET Framework Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft .NET Framework Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.