The Hidden Gems: Unknown Development Features in .NET Core

As a developer navigating the vast landscape of .NET Core, it’s essential to uncover the lesser-known features that can significantly enhance your productivity and the quality of your applications.

In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey to explore some of the hidden gems — features in .NET Core that might not be in the spotlight but can make a substantial difference in your development experience.

Embark on a journey of continuous learning and exploration with DotNet-FullStack-Dev. https://dotnet-fullstack-dev.blogspot.com/

Background

.NET Core, an open-source, cross-platform framework, has evolved rapidly, introducing numerous features and improvements. While some features receive widespread attention, others operate in the shadows, waiting to be discovered and utilized. Let’s shine a light on a few of these lesser-known treasures.

1. Global Tools: Command-Line Productivity Boosters

Global Tools in .NET Core provide a way to install and run tools from the command line. These tools are not tied to a specific project and offer a convenient way to enhance your development workflow.

dotnet tool install -g <tool-name>

dotnet tool install -g dotnetsay
dotnetsay "Hello, .NET Core World!"

2. Nullable Reference Types: Safer Code with Nullable Awareness

Introduced in C# 8.0 and embraced by .NET Core, Nullable Reference Types add an extra layer of safety to your code by distinguishing between nullable and non-nullable reference types.

Usage:

1. Enable in your project file

<Nullable>enable</Nullable>

Use nullable-aware annotations

#nullable enable

string? nullableString = null;
string nonNullableString = "Hello";

// Compiler warnings for potential null references
Console.WriteLine(nullableString.Length);
Console.WriteLine(nonNullableString.Length);

3. Source Generators: Compile-Time Metaprogramming

Source Generators empower you to generate additional source code at compile time. This feature can be particularly handy for reducing boilerplate code and improving performance.

Usage:

Create a class library and define a source generator

[Generator]
public class MySourceGenerator : ISourceGenerator
{
    // Implement source generation logic
}

Register the source generator in your project file

<ItemGroup>
  <ProjectReference Include="Path\To\Your\GeneratorProject.csproj" OutputItemType="Analyzer" ReferenceOutputAssembly="false" />
</ItemGroup>

4. AssemblyLoadContext: Dynamic Loading and Unloading of Assemblies

The AssemblyLoadContext class in .NET Core allows you to load and unload assemblies dynamically, providing flexibility in managing dependencies at runtime.

Usage

var context = new AssemblyLoadContext(null, true);

Assembly assembly = context.LoadFromAssemblyPath("Path\\To\\Your\\Assembly.dll");

// Use the loaded assembly...

context.Unload();

5. Local Functions: Compact Code Blocks

Local Functions in C# enable you to define functions within a method, encapsulating logic and promoting code organization.

Usage

void Main()
{
    int result = AddNumbers(3, 4);
    Console.WriteLine(result);

    int AddNumbers(int a, int b)
    {
        return a + b;
    }
}

Conclusion

As you immerse yourself in .NET Core development, it’s crucial to explore not only the well-documented features but also the hidden gems that can significantly elevate your coding experience. Global Tools, Nullable Reference Types, Source Generators, AssemblyLoadContext, and Local Functions are just a glimpse of the unknown features waiting to be uncovered.

By integrating these features into your toolkit, you not only enhance your productivity but also gain a deeper appreciation for the versatility and richness of the .NET Core ecosystem.

Happy coding!