Model Context Protocol (MCP) finally gives AI models a way to access the business data needed to make them really useful at work. CData MCP Servers have the depth and performance to make sure AI has access to all of the answers.
Try them now for free →
.NET Version Support for CData ADO.NET Providers
.NET Standard and .NET Core are key frameworks within the .NET ecosystem, each serving distinct purposes and offering unique advantages for developers. Over time, they have played crucial roles in building applications for Windows, web, cloud, and mobile platforms. While both are part of Microsoft's .NET ecosystem, they serve different purposes and have evolved to meet modern development needs.
This article explores the key versions of .NET Framework and .NET Core, highlighting their differences and advancements.
.NET Standard
.NET Standard is a specification that defines a set of APIs that all .NET platforms must implement. It ensures libraries targeting .NET Standard can run on any .NET implementation, including .NET Core, .NET Framework, and Xamarin. This makes it a versatile choice for creating cross-platform libraries.
.NET Core
.NET Core is a cross-platform, high-performance framework for building modern applications. It provides a runtime and libraries for developing applications that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. .NET Core is known for its modularity and lightweight nature, making it ideal for cloud-based and internet-connected applications.
Key differences between .NET Standard and .NET Core
Here's a breakdown of the key differences between both:
| Aspect | .NET Standard | .NET Core |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Defines a common API set for all .NET implementations | A cross-platform framework for building modern applications |
| Type | It's a specification (not a runtime) | It's an actual framework and runtime |
| Compatibility | Works across .NET Framework, .NET Core, Xamarin, and Unity | Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
| Performance | No direct impact (as it's a specification) | Highly optimized for speed, efficiency, and scalability |
| Platform Support | Used as a bridge between different .NET versions | Designed for modern web, cloud, and desktop apps |
| Application Development | Shared libraries and class libraries | Web apps, cloud apps, microservices, and desktop apps |
| Latest Version | .NET Standard 2.1 | .NET 8 |
Use cases and benefits of .NET Standard and .NET Core
.NET Standard:
- Use Case: Ideal for developing reusable libraries that need to work across different .NET platforms.
- Benefits: Ensures broad compatibility and code sharing across various .NET implementations. It simplifies the development process by providing a consistent set of APIs that can be used in any .NET environment.
.NET Core:
- Use Case: Perfect for building modern, scalable, and high-performance applications, especially those that need to run on multiple operating systems.
- Benefits: Offers better performance, cross-platform support, and flexibility in deployment options. It is well-suited for microservices, containerized applications, and cloud-based solutions.
CData supports .NET Standard and .NET Core
CData provides robust data connectivity solutions through its ADO.NET data providers, supporting both .NET Standard and .NET Core frameworks. These providers support .NET Framework 4.0+ and .NET Standard 2.0 (.NET Core 2.1+, .NET 6.0).
Free Community License for data developers
CData ADO.NET Providers further enhance the capabilities of ADO.NET by offering consistent, SQL-based connectivity to more than 270 data sources beyond traditional databases, including SaaS, NoSQL, and big data systems. They provide advanced features such as efficient querying with the DataReader and DataAdapter, data modification, data handling, batch processing, transaction management, connection pooling, and the ability to call stored procedures.
With the CData ADO.NET Community License, you get free-forever libraries to access your data in personal .NET projects, all through familiar SQL. Request a license and start building data apps today!
