.NET versions 2024

.NET what ever the number, Maui, Core, Standard, etc. What is the status of all these versions at the beginning of 2024? So many versions and names. I have been following several years but took a couple of years off and need to catch up. I know much of this will change by the end of 2024 but would like a snapshot of now.

Is Xamarin a version of .NET? Sort of is and sort of isn't. Years ago it was supposed to be the replacemenr of .NET. Now is seems like it has sort of lost its shine.

1. .NET Standard vs. .NET Core vs. .NET 5/6/7:

.NET Standard: A set of APIs defining cross-platform compatibility across various .NET implementations (Xamarin, .NET Core, etc.). Not a runtime itself.
.NET Core: A lightweight, modular, cross-platform runtime environment (Windows, macOS, Linux) focused on modern development.
.NET 5/6/7: Unified the different .NET implementations (ASP.NET, Xamarin, etc.) under a single brand, based on the .NET Core runtime and building on .NET Standard.
Current Status:
- .NET Standard is no longer being actively developed, its functionality is integrated into .NET 5/6/7.
- .NET Core has been merged into .NET 5/6/7, but the name may still be used occasionally.
- Use .NET 5/6/7 for new projects.

2. Xamarin:

Not a "version" of .NET, but a platform for building cross-platform mobile apps using C#.
Originally aimed at "replacing" .NET, now integrated into the unified .NET platform.
Current Status:
- Still actively developed and supported by Microsoft.
- Use Xamarin for existing projects or when native performance is critical for mobile apps.
- For new cross-platform projects, consider .NET MAUI as it offers broader platform coverage (mobile, desktop).

3. .NET MAUI:

Newest member of the .NET family, a cross-platform framework building on .NET 6 for creating native mobile and desktop apps using C# and XAML.
Currently in preview, expected to be generally available later in 2024.
Current Status:
- Promising framework for cross-platform app development, especially for beginners or those already familiar with Xamarin.
- Stable release awaited for production use.

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Tuhin Paul2y ago
Accepted answer
1. .NET Standard vs. .NET Core vs. .NET 5/6/7:
- .NET Standard: A set of APIs defining cross-platform compatibility across various .NET implementations (Xamarin, .NET Core, etc.). Not a runtime itself.
- .NET Core: A lightweight, modular, cross-platform runtime environment (Windows, macOS, Linux) focused on modern development.
- .NET 5/6/7: Unified the different .NET implementations (ASP.NET, Xamarin, etc.) under a single brand, based on the .NET Core runtime and building on .NET Standard.
- Current Status:
  
  .NET Standard is no longer being actively developed, its functionality is integrated into .NET 5/6/7.
  
  .NET Core has been merged into .NET 5/6/7, but the name may still be used occasionally.
  
  Use .NET 5/6/7 for new projects.
2. Xamarin:
- Not a "version" of .NET, but a platform for building cross-platform mobile apps using C#.
- Originally aimed at "replacing" .NET, now integrated into the unified .NET platform.
- Current Status:
  
  Still actively developed and supported by Microsoft.
  
  Use Xamarin for existing projects or when native performance is critical for mobile apps.
  
  For new cross-platform projects, consider .NET MAUI as it offers broader platform coverage (mobile, desktop).
3. .NET MAUI:
- Newest member of the .NET family, a cross-platform framework building on .NET 6 for creating native mobile and desktop apps using C# and XAML.
- Currently in preview, expected to be generally available later in 2024.
- Current Status:
  
  Promising framework for cross-platform app development, especially for beginners or those already familiar with Xamarin.
  
  Stable release awaited for production use.
Sam Hobbs2y ago
Xamarin was not developed by Microsoft. Microsoft bought Xamarin and improved it and the new and improved version is called MAUI. MAUI uses .Net but MAUI is not .Net. Xamarin and MAUI are user interfaces.