Latest .NET Development Tools for .NET Developers
Introduction
Can you name one of the most sought-after software development frameworks? Hands down, it turns out to be the .Net framework. Since its inception way back, the tech has been through several ups and downs and still managed to maintain its top spot by powering a wide range of dynamic applications across the globe. Developed by Microsoft, the .Net platform assures programmers to develop a wide range of applications for every device available including desktops, mobile, web, and cloud-based software. It may quite interest you to know that 34.2% of the total websites and web apps are running on the .NET framework, due to its numerous advantages such as:
MVC architecture
Smoother integration with other Microsoft apps
High efficiency and dependability
Platform independence
Better time to market
Easy to get started with
.Net framework is quite robust, easy to use, and requires a pretty small amount of coding. I guess there is no such reason to not vouch for this rare tech combo. So I guess it is by default the most preferred development framework across the globe. Also, one shouldn’t forget that the tool has risen from a simple application to a newly evolved full-fledged platform. Are you ready to ride the tide?
Now I don’t want to scare you but conducting a successful .Net development project requires certain criteria to be fulfilled such as choosing one of the leading reputable and reliable development companies that carries knowledge and experience in delivering the best and other is choosing the right .Net development tools which can guarantee you high-quality outcomes. The good news is there is no shortage of technology tools out there and the bad news is choosing any random tool can result in unfavorable outcomes. So it is always advisable to conduct intense research before subscribing to the right tool for your .Net development project.
Not having the right tools and technologies by your side is more like not having the right ingredients and vessels to cook food.
The following post focuses on the best .NET tools to consider for upcoming projects in 2024.
1. Visual studio code
The first and foremost .Net development tool to take into account is the visual code. This one is a leading code editor which is highly recommended to write as well as debug code. The code editor isn’t new but has been pretty much in vogue ensuring coding is fast and way more convenient. Of course, there are lots and lots of code editors such as IntelliJ, Notepad ++, Android Studio, Eclipse, Sublime Text, XCode, Atom, Webstorm, Nano, and a lot more, but this one excels and stands out among all.
In fact, Visual Studio code developed by Microsoft supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks and no wonder this is even today ranked as one of the leading .Net tools which can be used to develop software like never before. The development tool supports different languages such as C#, C++, Visual Basic, and runtimes like .NET and Unity and more. Here you will find a variety of built-in features such as:
Windows, Linux, and macOS
Easy to customize
Complete code editor, builder, and debugger
Easy to integrate third-party extensions
Built-in support for JavaScript, JSON, HTML, CSS, and JSX
2. NuGet
Another interesting .Net development tool that you shouldn’t resist is NuGet. This one is an open-source software featuring a basic graphical user interface and is highly used to create as well as browse NuGet-based packages. Another development tool created by Microsoft features the most extensive database of .Net third-party components. If you want to add different frameworks, libraries, and modules to your . Net-based applications then this is it. Your search needs to be ended right here. Some of the core aspects of NuGet include:
Easy interface for installing, removing, and managing packages
Package manager console
MSBuild toolchain to create and restore packages
Easy to consume, create, and publish packages
3. .Net Reflector
The next .Net development tool to consider is the .Net reflector. If you are looking for a proper .Net decompiler or a static analyzer, then this is it. Being one of the most important .Net development tools, this one is highly considered for troubleshooting, and debugging your program. One of the most alluring aspects of this development tool is that it is possible to enter visual studio-written code from third parties. With .Net reflector, things can be way easier and better.
4. Stackify Prefix
Are you looking for a code profiler tool? Prefix is one of the best code profiler tools available from Stackify and constantly runs in the background especially when the asp.NET programmer runs his applications. So what exactly does the Microsoft web developer tool do? It successfully captures all kinds of requests and offers a well-detailed report of all quite relevant events. So what makes this development tool appear among the top .Net development tools available across the globe? The tool can easily troubleshoot your web requests which are slow and find slow queries. One of the best ways to make the most of Stackify Prefix is by viewing application logs and adding the correct log appender (log4net, NLog, or Serilog).
5. NUnit
Another interesting .Net development tool that must be taken into account is NUnit. Now this one is an excellent test runner. Absolutely! NUnit has established amazing interoperability with all kinds of platforms including Microsoft’s and non-Microsoft-based ones. The development tool is highly acclaimed for fast test running and comprises numerous features such as test annotations. So what does this feature do? Also, NUnit no longer needs to be integrated into Visual Studio, also here seamless integration isn’t possible. Some core benefits of NUnit include:
Quick test outcomes
No human intervention required
Easy resolution of errors and bugs
Possible to run test fasters
It is possible to run tests simultaneously
6. Git
Moving on! We have another development tool to consider: Git. This .Net development tool works wonders when it comes to version control. The following aspects are essential to ensuring a successful modern software development project. Git when used with platforms such as GitHub can certainly offer a robust solution especially when it comes to managing code repositories. With the help of Git and Github, it is possible for developers to successfully collaborate, track relevant changes, and ensure the overall integrity of the codebase is proper and everything is fine through the development cycle.
7. JetBrains Rider
The next .Net development tool to consider is JetBrains Rider. This one is pretty new but it works wonders as a fully-fledged IDE. The rider is a relatively young proprietary (a 30-day trial available) .NET IDE. JetBrains Rider successfully supports .Net and .Net core applications which can work wonders on Windows, macOS X, and Linux. Over a few years, Rider seems to have a proven track record of ensuring fast performance, multiple platform, and runtime support, version control integration, and a wide range of decompiling capabilities. It may quite interest you to know that many engineers have switched from Visual Studio to JetBrains Rider since this one offers an amazing experience in terms of performance and is easy to use.
8. Azure Data Studio
The next interesting .Net development tool to consider is Azure Data Studio. If you are looking for a tool to conduct proper data management then this is it. This one has been considered as one of the leading development-based tools for Data Management and Querying Across SQL Server and Azure.
Developed in 2018 by Microsoft, this one turns out to be the most essential tool to vouch for in 2024. Now here programmers can successfully handle the database-associated with operations for SQL servers efficiently on-premises or in cloud environments. So what makes Azure Data Studio a cut above?
Query editing is easy due to the integrated terminal
Customizable workspace
Seamless flexibility, so adding and removing extensions is possible
Built-in Git terminal for accessing files and directly forking, pushing, and editing code
Anything else? Of course, the .Net development tool is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It ensures a built-in terminal for the proper execution of queries and managing databases, an absolutely intuitive design and an easy navigation interface, advanced code editing, and simplified managing multiple databases. So what could be the disadvantage here? Limited non-SQL support, slow performance with large datasets, or complex queries.
9. ASP.Net Core
ASP.NET core is free, cross-platform, and one of the leading frameworks used for modern, cloud-based app development solutions. This tool is highly suitable for cloud-based and enterprise applications. Some of the core features of ASP.NET core include:
High-performance and lightweight
Community-driven development and transparency
Built-in dependency injection
Enhanced performance
Supports side-by-side versioning
Built-in features for security
Work wonders with client-side frameworks like Angular & React
Microsoft Azure portal, Stack overflow, Docker Hub, and Microsoft Docs are some of the best examples of ASP.NET Core.
10. NDepend
Another interesting way of conducting a successful .Net development project is NDepend. The tool successfully analyzes your code and offers essential insights to enhance your codebase. Code issues and errors can be easily stopped by NDepend and that too in a matter of seconds.
If you are looking for a powerful static code analyzer then you need to stop your search right away. This one is the best in the market and is highly considered for Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It can analyze code for .NET, .NET Core, .NET Framework, ASP .NET Core, Xamarin, UWP, and Blazor applications.
Tracking recent changes made in the code quality and detecting issues such as code smell is possible
Prevention of technical debt
Quality gate
In-depth reports of code
Fast performing tool
Visualize code with logical pictures and graphics
Conclusion
So this is all for now! These are some of the best .Net development tools to consider, of course, this is not it there are many others available but these are the top considerations, I am sure now you exactly know why. For conducting effective and successful .Net development projects, one needs to be familiar with these tools, or should I say knowing this much information has become a basic necessity.
And we are done for now. I hope you did find the following post worth considering. In case you have any doubts or issues, feel free to mention them in the comment section below. Good luck with your upcoming project.