Blazor

Blazor Explained: What It Is and Why You Should Learn It

Introduction

Web development has traditionally required two languages: C# (or any backend language) for server-side logic and JavaScript for client-side interactivity. But what if you could build full-stack web applications using just C#?

That’s where Blazor comes in. Blazor is a modern framework from Microsoft that allows developers to build interactive web UIs using C#, Razor, and .NET without writing JavaScript for most scenarios.

What is Blazor?

Blazor is part of ASP.NET Core and enables building single-page applications (SPAs) using C#. It uses a component-based architecture similar to Angular, React, and Vue but with the power of .NET.

Uses of Blazor

  1. We can write client-side logic in C# instead of JavaScript.
  2. Reuse your .NET libraries across the client and server.
  3. Build web apps faster if you already know C#.

Why Blazor?

  1. One language: C# everywhere, no need to switch between C# and JavaScript.
  2. Component-Based: Build reusable UI components.
  3. Full .NET Ecosystem: Use LINQ, Entity Framework, and other .NET libraries.
  4. Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Blazor hosting models

Blazor comes with two main hosting models:

Blazor Server

  • Runs on the server.
  • UI updates are sent via SignalR connection.
  • Pros: Small download size, works on older browsers.
  • Cons: Requires constant server connection.

Blazor WebAssembly (WASM)

  • Runs directly in the browser using WebAssembly.
  • Pros: Truly client-side, works offline, scalable.
  • Cons: Larger initial download.

Note. You can choose the model depending on your application needs.

Example: The Counter App

When you create a new Blazor project, you’ll see a default Counter page. Let’s look at the code:

Counter App

When Should You Use Blazor?

  1. You are a .NET developer and want to avoid heavy JavaScript.
  2. You need to build line-of-business apps, dashboards, or internal tools.
  3. You want full-stack development with C#.

Conclusion

Blazor is an exciting framework that brings the power of .NET to web development. It allows you to build rich, interactive UIs using C# and Razor without relying heavily on JavaScript.
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