Difference between .NET Runtime 8.0.6, ASP.NET Core Runtime 8.0.6 and .NET Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0.6

The terms " .NET Runtime 8.0.6", "ASP.NET Core Runtime 8.0.6", and ".NET Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0.6" refer to different distributions of the .NET platform tailored for specific types of applications and scenarios. Here’s a breakdown of their differences:

.NET Runtime 8.0.6

• Purpose: The .NET Runtime provides the core runtime environment necessary to run compiled .NET applications. It includes the Common Language Runtime (CLR), the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler, and the Base Class Libraries (BCL).
• Usage: It is used for running any type of .NET application, including console applications, web applications, and libraries.

ASP.NET Core Runtime 8.0.6

• Purpose: The ASP.NET Core Runtime specifically includes components required to run ASP.NET Core web applications. This runtime is optimized for web hosting environments and includes libraries and components necessary for handling HTTP requests, routing, middleware, and other web-specific functionalities.
• Usage: It is used specifically for deploying and running ASP.NET Core web applications.

.NET Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0.6

• Purpose: The .NET Windows Desktop Runtime is focused on supporting desktop application development using technologies like Windows Forms, WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), and UWP (Universal Windows Platform). It includes additional components and libraries specifically tailored for desktop application scenarios, such as UI controls and Windows-specific APIs.
• Usage: It is used for deploying and running desktop applications on Windows operating systems.

Key Differences

• Target Applications:

  • .NET Runtime: Supports all types of .NET applications.
  • ASP.NET Core Runtime: Specifically optimized for ASP.NET Core web applications.
  • .NET Windows Desktop Runtime: Specifically optimized for desktop applications using Windows Forms, WPF, or UWP.

• Included Components: Each runtime includes specific libraries, components, and optimizations tailored to its target application type.

• Deployment Scope: The ASP.NET Core Runtime and .NET Windows Desktop Runtime are typically deployed to servers or end-user machines to support specific types of applications, whereas the .NET Runtime is a foundational runtime that may be included in broader software distributions.

Example Scenario

• Development: A developer builds an ASP.NET Core web application using the .NET SDK. They deploy it to a web server that requires the ASP.NET Core Runtime 8.0.6 to execute the application’s code, handle HTTP requests, and interact with the hosting environment.

• Deployment: Another developer builds a desktop application using WPF. They deploy it to end-users who need to have the .NET Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0.6 installed on their Windows machines to run the application and utilize its desktop-specific features.