MIGRATING FROM ASP.NET TO .NET CORE APPLICATION

What is .Net Core?
 

.NET Core is a new version of .NET Framework, which is a modular, lightweight and cross-platform framework developed by Microsoft for building modern, high-performance applications.  It includes many performance improvements over the .NET Framework, including faster startup times and lower memory usage.  .NET Core supports and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It is consistent across architecture, including x64, x86, and ARM.  It uses one consistent API model written in .NET Standard that is common to all .NET applications. The same API or library can be used with multiple platforms in multiple languages.

.NET Core is designed to build applications that target all kinds of devices and allows developers to build all kinds of software, including Web, Desktop, Mobile, Cloud, Gaming, microservices, Internet of Things, and more. .Net Core unifies the previously separate .NET Core, .NET Framework, and Xamarin platforms, making it easier for developers to use a single platform for various application types.
 

.NET Core supports modular architecture approach using NuGet packages. There are different NuGet packages for various features that can be added to the .NET Core project as needed. Even the .NET Core library is provided as a NuGet package. This modular approach enables the developers to optimize their app by including just those NuGet packages which they need in their app.
 

The benefits of a smaller app surface area include tighter security, reduced servicing, improved performance, and decreased costs in a pay-for-what-you-use model.

In short .NET Core delivers high performance and operates efficiently with fewer servers, resulting in cost savings on infrastructure and hosting.
 

How to Migrate from .NET Framework to .NET Core

Migration from .NET framework to .Net core helps your customers upgrade their existing applications and take advantage of the latest technologies and architectures, while also improving quality and maintenance.

Another great reason to migrate your application to .NET Core is that it will now run on Linux or macOS.

There are two approaches to migrating your project  – automatic and manual.
 

Migrating Automatically
 

Migrate using .NET Upgrade Assistant

To change from .NET Framework to .NET Core automatically, you can use the .NET Upgrade Assistant. This tool analyzes an existing .NET Framework application and provides recommendations for migrating its projects to target .NET Core.

The Upgrade Assistant also tracks compatibility issues as it transforms the application. The report generated by the Upgrade Assistant can be used as a starting point for migrating an application from .NET Framework to .NET Core.
 

Migrating Manually
 

Before you start with the migration process, you need to analyze the system background, your code and dependencies. Microsoft has provided .NET Portability Analyzer, a tool to analyze your application dependencies and project references. This tool also helps you to identify the APIs that are not available in .NET Сore. The tool is available as a Visual Studio extension and NuGet package. 
 

Here is a step-by-step process on how to migrate from .NET Framework to .NET Core manually:
 

1. Choose the Correct Version

Choose a suitable .NET Core version for your application, and while doing so, consider factors like – long-term support, feature availability, consider the level of support and the specific features each version offers.
 

2. Set up the Development Environment

Download and install the dot NET Core SDK and configure the development environment correctly. (SDK provides critical tools and libraries for creating applications.)
 

3. Create a New Project

Generate a fresh project in your preferred development environment (Visual Studio). Choose the template that suits your migration process, like the ASP.NET Core Web Application template or ASP .NET Core Web API or any other, to kickstart the transition.
 

4. Migrate Code and Dependencies
 

Copy your previous project’s files and dependencies to the new one. Include any required NuGet packages and update your code to be compatible with .NET Core by changing the project’s target framework.
 

5. Migrate your NuGet Packages

Migrate NuGet packages for a smooth project by right-clicking References and choosing “Manage NuGet Packages” in Visual Studio.

6. Transfer your Data

If your application incorporates a database, it is vital to migrate the data to the new project. Visual Studio provides convenient “Export” and “Import” features to facilitate this process. You can also utilize the Generate Scripts feature to generate an SQL script to transfer your data.
 

7. Migrate your .csproj File

After migrating your code, dependencies, data, etc., transfer the .csproj file. Simply copy the file from your previous project, ensuring you modify it to reference the new SDK appropriately.
 

8. Configure your app for the new Platform

To configure your application after migrating your .csproj file, add this line to your configuration file:

9. Test and Deploy your app on .NET Core

Test your application thoroughly after migrating to .NET Core to ensure it functions correctly before deploying it to users.