Choosing the Right Version - (.NET Standard Versions)

.NET Standard is a specification that standardizes APIs across .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Xamarin. Different versions of .NET Standard define different sets of APIs that can be used in your project. In this tutorial, we'll discuss how to choose the right version of .NET Standard for your project.

Syntax

Choosing the right version of .NET Standard involves specifying the version number in your project file (e.g. .csproj).

<PropertyGroup>
  <TargetFramework>netstandardX.Y</TargetFramework>
</PropertyGroup>

where X.Y is the version number you want to use (e.g. netstandard2.0).

Example

To choose the right version of .NET Standard for your project, you need to consider which APIs you need to use and which platforms you want to target. For example, if you need to use the System.Data.SqlClient API, you need to use .NET Standard 2.0 or higher. If you want to target .NET Core 3.0, you need to use .NET Standard 2.1 or higher.

Here's an example of specifying the .NET Standard version 2.0 in a project file:

<PropertyGroup>
  <TargetFramework>netstandard2.0</TargetFramework>
</PropertyGroup>

Explanation

Choosing the right version of .NET Standard involves considering which APIs you need to use in your project and which platforms you want to target. Each version of .NET Standard defines a specific set of APIs that can be used in your project, and some APIs require a higher version of .NET Standard than others.

For example, .NET Standard 2.0 is supported by .NET Framework 4.6.1 and later, .NET Core 2.0 and later, and Xamarin.Android and Xamarin.iOS 10.14 and later. It includes APIs such as System.Data.SqlClient and System.Security.Cryptography.

On the other hand, .NET Standard 2.1 is supported by .NET Core 3.0 and later, and includes additional APIs such as System.Threading.Channels and System.Text.Json.

Use

Choosing the right version of .NET Standard is important because it affects which APIs you can use in your project and which platforms you can target. By choosing the right version, you can ensure that your project runs smoothly and is compatible with the platforms you want to target.

Important Points

Here are some important points to keep in mind when choosing the right version of .NET Standard:

• Consider which APIs you need to use in your project, and choose the version of .NET Standard that supports those APIs.
• Consider which platforms you want to target, and choose the version of .NET Standard that is supported by those platforms.
• Make sure to test your project on all platforms you want to target to ensure compatibility.

Summary

In this tutorial, we discussed how to choose the right version of .NET Standard for your project. We covered the syntax, example, explanation, use, and important points of choosing the right version of .NET Standard. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your project runs smoothly and is compatible with the platforms you want to target.