.NET is evolving fast in 2024. Here are the key trends:
- AI and ML integration
- .NET MAUI updates
- New Blazor features
- Cloud-ready focus
- Speed improvements
- Enhanced security
- IoT/edge computing support
- Microservices adoption
- DevOps practices
- Open source growth
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Quick Comparison
| Trend | Benefit | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| AI/ML | Smarter apps | ML.NET 3.0 |
| MAUI | Cross-platform | Multi-window |
| Blazor | Flexible rendering | Server/client modes |
| Cloud | Scalability | Azure integration |
| Speed | Performance boost | JIT optimization |
| Security | Data protection | Improved DPAPI |
| IoT/Edge | Local processing | Azure IoT Edge |
| Microservices | Modularity | ASP.NET Core support |
| DevOps | Faster delivery | Azure DevOps |
| Open Source | Community-driven | .NET Foundation |
These trends show .NET becoming more versatile and powerful for modern apps.
1. AI and Machine Learning in .NET
AI and ML are changing how .NET devs build smart apps. ML.NET 3.0 brings AI straight to .NET.
Key ML.NET 3.0 features:
- Object Detection: Finds objects in images
- Named Entity Recognition: IDs entities in text
- Question Answering: Responds to natural language
These let devs add AI without leaving .NET. Example: Use Object Detection to count items on a production line.
ML.NET 3.0 also works with TorchSharp and ONNX models, expanding AI options.
GitHub Copilot acts as an AI coding buddy, suggesting code as you type.
For cloud apps, Semantic Kernel works with .NET Aspire to create AI agents.
AI tools for .NET devs:
| Tool | Use | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| ML.NET | ML framework | C#/F# models |
| Copilot | AI coding | Code suggestions |
| Semantic Kernel | AI agents | .NET Aspire integration |
| TensorFlow.NET | Predictions | Real-time optimization |
Staying current with these tools is key for cutting-edge .NET apps in 2024.
2. Updates to .NET MAUI
.NET MAUI is evolving for cross-platform apps in 2024. With Xamarin ending May 1, 2024, MAUI is the go-to for mobile and desktop apps.
New features:
- Multi-window support for desktop apps
- Top-level menu bar, context menus, tooltips
- Pointer gestures
MAUI now uses AOT compilation for faster startup and better performance. Its handler-based UI controls improve on Xamarin's renderer approach.
MAUI vs Xamarin:
| Feature | Xamarin | MAUI |
|---|---|---|
| Projects | Multiple | Single |
| UI Controls | Renderer-based | Handler-based |
| Resources | Platform-specific | Unified |
| Compilation | JIT | AOT option |
MAUI's growing fast - it's #2 in active GitHub users in the dotnet community. Microsoft uses it in their own apps, showing commitment.
MAUI updates with each .NET release, keeping it current.
3. New Features in Blazor
Blazor's getting better at web dev with C# in 2024. It now offers flexible rendering:
- Server-side: Fast initial loads
- Streaming: Dynamic content loading
- Server Mode: Real-time updates
- WebAssembly Mode: Client-side execution
- Auto Mode: Server-side start, WebAssembly transition
This lets devs optimize for specific needs. Example: Use server-side for a static page, WebAssembly for a real-time dashboard.
New third-party components expand Blazor's abilities:
| Component | Use | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Charts | Data viz | Multiple axes, interaction |
| OTP Input | One-time passwords | Custom input types |
| TextArea | Multi-line text | Resizable, floating labels |
| Spreadsheet | Excel-like | Styling, formulas |
| AI Search | Smart search | Similarity calculations |
Performance is improving too. Virtual scrolling helps with large datasets, and the PDF Viewer loads big docs faster.
Blazor's WebAssembly integration lets C# run in browsers at near-native speed. This is great for complex client-side logic or offline apps.
"Flexible rendering in .NET 8 is a big shift for Blazor, allowing more personalized web dev."
Blazor's becoming a strong choice for .NET devs building modern web apps without JavaScript frameworks.
4. Cloud-Ready Development
Cloud-ready dev is key for .NET in 2024. Microsoft's focusing on cloud-native and smart apps for .NET 9.
Azure App Service hosts web apps, APIs, and mobile backends easily. One e-commerce platform saw 30% better app scaling with it.
Serverless is growing, led by Azure Functions. Run code on-demand without server setup. The market's set to hit $23,970 million by 2026.
Containers and microservices are changing .NET dev. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies Kubernetes use. Companies like Daimler AG are moving from local to cloud setups.
.NET works across major cloud providers:
| Provider | .NET Features |
|---|---|
| Azure | Native integration, AI/ML tools |
| AWS | 32% market share, strong EC2 use |
| Google Cloud | Advanced analytics, AI |
Hybrid and multi-cloud are rising. By 2025, 85% of businesses will be cloud-first.
For .NET devs:
- Try serverless with Azure Functions or AWS Lambda
- Learn Docker and Kubernetes for microservices
- Use DevOps for faster development
- Use cloud-native services to reduce overhead
- Focus on cloud security best practices
5. Speed Improvements
.NET 8 makes apps faster and more efficient. It uses less memory, starts up quicker, and runs better.
The JIT compiler now uses tiering and dynamic PGO to speed up code. This makes all apps run faster.
The new garbage collector frees up space from non-running methods, reducing memory leaks and improving throughput. This helps with big data apps or long-running ones.
Key .NET 8 speed boosts:
| Feature | Improvement |
|---|---|
| AOT Compilation | Can shrink apps from 13MB to 1.5MB |
| Serialization | Up to 30% faster overall |
| Vectorization | Process 16 integers at once |
| IPV6 Storage | Better for real-time apps |
These aren't just theory. Microsoft's tests show 23% of their suite (4,600 tests) got 20%+ faster.
To use these speed boosts:
- Use profiling tools to find slow spots
- Use object pooling to reduce object creation
- Optimize loops and use foreach for collections
- Use StringBuilder for string work
Here's how to use object pooling:
ObjectPool<MyClass> pool = new ObjectPool<MyClass>(() => new MyClass(), 10);
MyClass obj = pool.Get();
pool.Return(obj);
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6. Better Security Measures
.NET devs are focusing more on security in 2024. Microsoft's added new features to protect apps.
The Data Protection API (DPAPI) now encrypts sensitive data better. Use it like this:
var protector = dataProtectionProvider.CreateProtector("purpose");
var encrypted = protector.Protect(sensitiveData);
var decrypted = protector.Unprotect(encrypted);
HTTPS is now easier to enforce:
public void Configure(IApplicationBuilder app)
{
app.UseHttpsRedirection();
app.UseHsts();
}
This sends all traffic to HTTPS and adds HSTS headers.
CSRF protection is better too. Add anti-forgery tokens with one line:
services.AddAntiforgery(options => options.HeaderName = "X-CSRF-TOKEN");
.NET Identity now works better with Google and Facebook logins.
Key .NET security features:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| DPAPI | Encrypts sensitive data |
| HTTPS Enforcement | Forces HTTPS use |
| CSRF Protection | Stops cross-site request forgery |
| Identity Updates | Better external logins |
These tools help build safer apps without extra work. .NET apps in 2024 will be tougher against common attacks.
7. IoT and Edge Computing Support
.NET's getting better at IoT and edge computing in 2024. These tech changes are shifting how we handle data, and .NET's adapting.
Azure IoT Edge is leading this change. It brings cloud features to edge devices, processing data fast without always talking to the cloud. Here's what it offers:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Local processing | Less delay |
| Bandwidth savings | Less cloud data sent |
| Offline work | Works without internet |
| Easy setup | Managed via Azure |
This lets devs build IoT apps for tough spots. A factory sensor can now process data on-site, only sending alerts when needed.
.NET's cross-platform nature is key. Write once, run on many IoT devices. This matters as the IoT market grows to $525 billion by 2027.
Microsoft's pushing Windows 10 IoT Core for small devices. It runs on screenless devices for remote control. It's great for smart homes or industrial sensors.
How .NET helps with IoT:
- C# for IoT: Efficient code for small devices
- Azure Digital Twins: Virtual models of real places
- Built-in security: Protect IoT networks
Edge computing's growing as data volumes rise. By 2025, 75% of business data will be made outside data centers. .NET's edge tools help manage this.
In healthcare, .NET IoT devices can watch patients remotely. They process data on-site, only sending important info to central systems. This helps manage aging populations better.
When building IoT with .NET, focus on:
- Using Azure IoT Edge for local processing
- Leveraging .NET's cross-platform skills
- Implementing strong security
- Designing for offline use
- Optimizing for low-power devices
.NET's becoming a top choice for IoT and edge computing. It's good for performance, security, and ease of use in the connected future.
8. Building with Microservices
.NET devs are using microservices more in 2024 to build flexible, scalable apps. This breaks big apps into small, independent services that talk via APIs.
.NET supports microservices well:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| ASP.NET Core | Light, cross-platform framework |
| Docker integration | Easy service containerization |
| Azure Kubernetes Service | Managed container orchestration |
Here's a real example. An e-commerce site with .NET microservices might have:
- Product Catalog Service: Manages products and stock
- Shopping Cart Service: Handles user carts
- Order Processing Service: Manages orders and payments
Each service runs alone, allowing:
- Targeted scaling
- Faster updates
- Better fault isolation
To start with .NET microservices:
- Create a new ASP.NET Core Web API project:
dotnet new webapi -n ProductService
cd ProductService
- Dockerize your service:
docker build -t productservice .
docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name productservice productservice
- Deploy to Kubernetes:
kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml
kubectl apply -f service.yaml
For best performance:
- Use Azure Service Fabric for stateful microservices
- Add health checks for better monitoring
- Use circuit breakers to handle service failures
.NET 8 brings better performance and container support, making it great for complex, distributed systems in 2024.
9. DevOps and Continuous Integration
.NET devs are using DevOps and CI more in 2024 to speed up development and improve software quality. This changes how .NET teams work, bringing devs and ops closer.
DevOps and CI benefits for .NET:
- Faster releases
- Better code quality
- Fewer manual errors
- Improved team work
Here's how .NET devs are doing this:
Azure DevOps for .NET
Azure DevOps is popular for .NET CI/CD. Quick CI setup:
- Go to Pipelines in Azure DevOps
- Make a new build pipeline
- Connect to your code repo
- Set the pipeline to:
- Restore dependencies
- Build the solution
- Run unit tests
- Do code analysis
Set triggers to start builds when code changes.
Real Impact
Companies using DevOps with .NET see big results:
| Company | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nordstrom | Used Kubernetes | Cut deployment from 3 months to 30 minutes |
| Coca-Cola | Switched to microservices | More agile, faster deployments |
Security in DevOps
DevSecOps is growing in .NET. 65% of companies plan to use Security as Code soon.
To boost security in .NET DevOps:
- Do regular, automated security checks
- Use code scanning tools
- Implement smart testing
CI/CD Best Practices for .NET
To make the most of CI/CD:
- Commit code often
- Build artifacts once
- Use clean test environments (like containers)
- Automate tests at every stage
This lets .NET teams focus on making software while ensuring smooth ops.
DevOps and CI in .NET dev will keep growing in 2024, promising faster, safer, and better software delivery.
10. Growth of Open Source Projects
Open source is booming in .NET, changing how devs build and work together. This trend's set to continue in 2024, with more devs and companies joining in.
The .NET Foundation, an independent non-profit, is key to this growth. It backs over 556 active projects, with help from more than 3,700 companies. This teamwork has led to over 100,000 contributions so far.
Open source projects are becoming must-haves for .NET devs:
| Project | GitHub Stars | Use |
|---|---|---|
| nopCommerce | 7,840 | E-commerce platform |
| OrchardCore | 6,352 | CMS framework |
| eShopOnWeb | 8,396 | Sample e-commerce app |
| Miniblog.Core | 1,355 | Blogging engine |
These projects offer real-world apps and learning tools. For example, eShopOnWeb shows how to build a layered architecture with monolithic deployment.
Open source is changing how companies work too. More are setting up Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) to manage their open source plans. These offices help with:
- License compliance
- Security practices
- Community engagement
Aaronontheweb, CTO of Petabridge, says: "Microsoft is filling ecosystem gaps because many third-party techs aren't well maintained."
This shows the need for more community help. Devs should:
- Make GitHub accounts
- Learn open source best practices
- Help existing projects
- Start new projects to fill gaps
As we move into 2024, .NET open source is set to become more diverse and strong, giving devs lots of tools to build better software.
Conclusion
.NET dev is set for big growth and change in 2024. Since 2002, it's gone from Windows-only to a versatile, cross-platform powerhouse.
Key trends shaping .NET's future:
| Trend | Impact |
|---|---|
| AI and ML | Better data analysis and predictions |
| Cloud-native | Scalable, flexible apps |
| IoT and edge | Reach into embedded systems |
| Open source | More teamwork and community innovation |
.NET dev jobs are strong, with a 9% growth expected through 2030. Pay is rising too, with mid to senior .NET roles averaging $80,000 to $130,000 a year in the US.
Microsoft's ongoing support keeps .NET relevant. Over 80% of Fortune 500 companies use it, showing its importance for big business apps.
To stay ahead, focus on full-stack skills, cloud services, and new tech like ML.NET and Blazor. .NET's constant evolution means always learning and engaging with the community.
Going forward, .NET will likely play a bigger role in digital change across industries, driving demand for skilled devs who can use it to build modern, efficient, and secure apps.
FAQs
What's the latest C# framework?
C# 12 is the latest, used with .NET 8 SDK or the newest Visual Studio 2022. It adds features to boost dev productivity and code efficiency:
| Feature | Intro | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Primary constructors | VS 2022 v17.6 Preview 2 | Simpler class setup |
| Collection expressions | VS 2022 v17.7 Preview 5 | Easier collection creation |
These updates show Microsoft's commitment to improving C#. Devs can use these now by updating their dev environment.
Microsoft's already working on future releases. .NET 9 Preview 7, out August 15, 2023, adds a new System.Runtime.CompilerServices.OverloadResolutionPriority attribute. This lets API authors adjust overload priorities within a type.
To stay current, keep up with these updates. C# and .NET's fast evolution shows the need for ongoing learning in software dev.
