ASP.NET vs. C# — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 6, 2024
ASP.NET is a web framework for building websites, while C# is a programming language used to write code for various applications including ASP.NET.
Difference Between ASP.NET and C#
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
ASP.NET is a server-side web application framework designed for web development to produce dynamic web pages. C# is a versatile programming language from Microsoft that can be used to develop a variety of applications, not just web-based ones. ASP.NET applications are commonly written in C#, among other supported languages.
C# is a programming language developed by Microsoft that follows the object-oriented paradigm. ASP.NET often employs C# to create dynamic web pages, services, and apps. While C# is the language used for coding, ASP.NET provides the framework for web development.
ASP.NET allows developers to build web applications with ease, providing tools and libraries specifically for the web. Conversely, C# is a general-purpose language that offers structures, libraries, and syntax to create robust and maintainable code. C# is the choice for logic, whereas ASP.NET is the structure for web environments.
In terms of development platforms, ASP.NET works on the .NET framework or .NET Core, providing libraries for building web applications. C#, on the other hand, is not restricted to web development and can be used for desktop, mobile, cloud, and game development.
Developers often use C# to write logic and algorithms that run on ASP.NET. ASP.NET, though, focuses on the presentation and state management of web pages, utilizing the .NET framework’s extensive class libraries which can be accessed and manipulated using C#.
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Comparison Chart
Type
Web framework
Programming language
Usage
Creating web applications
Writing applications, including web applications
Interactivity
Server-side execution
Language constructs for both client-side and server-side execution
Libraries
Web-specific libraries like ASP.NET MVC, Web API
Base Class Library for a broad range of applications
Syntax
Uses syntax provided by programming languages like C#
Specific C# syntax for structures, types, and operations
Compare with Definitions
ASP.NET
Supports MVC architecture for web applications.
ASP.NET MVC enables clean separation of concerns in web development.
C#
Syntax is similar to other C-based languages.
Programmers find C# intuitive due to its C-based syntax.
ASP.NET
Provides a robust security infrastructure for web.
ASP.NET has built-in features to protect against cross-site scripting.
C#
Part of the .NET framework which provides a large standard library.
C# makes database access easier with its .NET framework libraries.
ASP.NET
Can be hosted on Windows servers and Linux servers with .NET Core.
Our ASP.NET application is deployed on a Linux server using .NET Core.
C#
An object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft.
C# is frequently used for enterprise-level application development.
ASP.NET
Utilizes a server-side technology to manage state.
ASP.NET manages user sessions through its state management features.
C#
Known for its strong typing and versioning control.
C# prevents many programming errors through its strong type-checking.
ASP.NET
A web framework for building dynamic web pages.
The new company website was developed using ASP.NET.
C#
A widely used programming language.
C#
The third letter of the modern English alphabet.
C#
Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter c.
C#
The third in a series.
C#
Something shaped like the letter C.
C#
C The third best or third highest in quality or rank
A mark of C on a term paper.
C#
The first tone in the scale of C major or the third tone in the relative minor scale.
C#
A key or scale in which the tone of C is the tonic.
C#
A written or printed note representing this tone.
C#
A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this tone.
C#
A widely used object-oriented programming language based on C.
C#
Alternative form of c.
C#
Alternative form of c.
C#
C is the third letter of the English alphabet. It is from the Latin letter C, which in old Latin represented the sounds of k, and g (in go); its original value being the latter. In Anglo-Saxon words, or Old English before the Norman Conquest, it always has the sound of k. The Latin C was the same letter as the Greek
C#
The keynote of the normal or "natural" scale, which has neither flats nor sharps in its signature; also, the third note of the relative minor scale of the same.
C#
As a numeral, C stands for Latin centum or 100, CC for 200, etc.
C#
A degree on the Centigrade scale of temperature
C#
The speed at which light travels in a vacuum; the constancy and universality of the speed of light is recognized by defining it to be exactly 299,792,458 meters per second
C#
One of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)
C#
A base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine
C#
An abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds
C#
Ten 10s
C#
A unit of electrical charge equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in 1 second
C#
A general-purpose programing language closely associated with the UNIX operating system
C#
The 3rd letter of the Roman alphabet
C#
Street names for cocaine
C#
Being ten more than ninety
C#
Used for developing a wide range of applications.
C# is versatile, powering mobile apps, desktop applications, and games.
Common Curiosities
Can you use languages other than C# with ASP.NET?
Yes, VB.NET and F# are also supported, among others.
What is ASP.NET used for?
To build and deploy web applications and services.
Is ASP.NET a programming language?
No, it's a framework that uses programming languages like C#.
What makes C# suitable for ASP.NET?
Its object-oriented features and seamless integration with the .NET framework.
Can C# be used to write desktop applications?
Yes, it's commonly used for both desktop and web applications.
Can ASP.NET work without C#?
No, ASP.NET needs a programming language like C# for functionality.
Is C# only used for ASP.NET applications?
No, C# is used for a wide range of applications beyond web development.
Is C# similar to Java?
They share similarities but also have significant differences.
Is C# good for beginners?
Yes, it's considered a beginner-friendly language.
Are ASP.NET applications cross-platform?
With .NET Core, ASP.NET applications can run cross-platform.
Does C# support web development exclusively?
No, C# is a general-purpose language supporting various types of development.
What databases can ASP.NET work with?
It can work with many databases like SQL Server, MySQL, and more.
Is ASP.NET free to use?
Yes, it's open-source and free to use.
Can ASP.NET applications run on Linux?
Yes, with .NET Core, they can run on Linux.
Do you need to know C# to work with ASP.NET?
While not mandatory, C# is the most commonly used language with ASP.NET.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
