.NET Overview

What .NET is, and how the platform works

.NET is a modern, fast, and cross-platform development framework created by Microsoft. It allows developers to build web applications, APIs, cloud services, desktop apps, and high-performance software using C#. This section gives you a quick understanding of the core parts of .NET so you know exactly what you will be learning in this roadmap.

.NET versions, LTS, STS and C# evolution

.NET follows a predictable release cadence with two types of releases: Long Term Support (LTS) and Standard Term Support (STS).

• LTS releases like .NET 8 and .NET 10 are supported for long-term production use and are recommended for enterprise and business-critical systems.
• STS releases, such as .NET 9 introduce new platform features and performance improvements and are supported for a shorter time window, currently two years.

Each major .NET release includes a modern C# language version by default. For example, .NET 8 ships with C# 12, .NET 9 includes C# 13, and .NET 10 introduces C# 14.

These newer C# versions bring enhancements such as improved pattern matching, more expressive syntax, and language features designed to improve productivity and performance. Understanding which C# version corresponds with your .NET target framework helps you write modern, maintainable code that uses the latest language features.

The .NET runtime

The runtime is responsible for executing your application code. It includes memory management, garbage collection, JIT compilation, and performance optimization. Knowing how the runtime works helps you build efficient and stable .NET applications.

The .NET SDK

The SDK contains tools that allow you to create, build, and run .NET projects. It includes the dotnet CLI and the compilers that turn your C# code into executable applications. The SDK is essential for all development workflows.

C#, the main programming language

C# is the primary language used in .NET. It is powerful, expressive, and supports object-oriented, functional, and asynchronous programming styles. Understanding C# is the foundation for everything you will build in the .NET ecosystem.

ASP.NET Core for web and API development

ASP.NET Core is a fast, modular, and secure web framework used to build full-stack web applications, REST APIs, microservices, and backend systems. It is one of the strongest reasons developers choose the .NET platform today.

Entity Framework Core

EF Core is the official object relational mapper for .NET. It enables you to work with databases using C# instead of writing SQL by hand. You will use EF Core to manage data models, migrations, and database queries throughout your applications.

Cross platform support

.NET runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS. This allows you to build and deploy your applications anywhere, including cloud servers, containers, and edge devices. Cross-platform support is a key feature that makes .NET a versatile choice.

Productive tooling

Visual Studio, VS Code, and JetBrains Rider offer powerful debugging tools, refactoring features, code suggestions, and fast build systems. Strong tooling is one of the biggest advantages of the .NET ecosystem.

Where .NET is used

.NET is used by enterprises, startups, and cloud providers for building large-scale web platforms, backend services, APIs, fintech systems, desktop apps, games, and cloud native microservices. It is a production-ready technology trusted worldwide.

Prerequisites

Prefix knowledge every .NET developer should have

These essential concepts prepare you for C#, ASP.NET Core, EF Core, APIs, and cloud development. Understanding these topics early makes your entire .NET learning journey smoother and more productive.

What is programming, and why it matters

Programming is giving clear instructions to a computer to solve problems. Before learning .NET, you must understand variables, loops, conditions, functions, and error handling. These fundamentals make it easier to write C# code, debug issues, and build reliable applications.

How the web works

Understanding servers, clients, ports, DNS, hosting, and how browsers request and render web content gives you a strong foundation for ASP.NET Core. You will build web apps and APIs, and this knowledge helps you reason about requests, responses, and deployment environments.

What is HTTP, and how it helps

HTTP powers every API and web application. Knowing HTTP verbs, headers, cookies, caching, and status codes helps you design cleaner, more predictable ASP.NET Core APIs. It also improves your ability to diagnose API issues and network problems quickly.

Database foundations

SQL, indexing, primary and foreign keys, joins, normalization, and transactions are essential skills for working with EF Core. These concepts help you design efficient databases and write fast, optimized queries.

Version control with Git

Git is the backbone of modern software development. It enables collaboration through branching, merging, code reviews, and pull requests. Every .NET project relies on Git, and knowing it well improves your workflow and job readiness.

Terminal and command line basics

.NET developers frequently use the command line to run dotnet commands, manage projects, handle environment variables, and automate builds. Basic CLI knowledge helps you work faster and more confidently.

Understanding JSON and APIs

JSON is the primary format used for API communication in .NET. Knowing how JSON works, how data is shaped, and how APIs send and receive it makes learning ASP.NET Core Web API much easier and reduces confusion around model binding.

IDE and tooling basics

Tools such as Visual Studio, VS Code, NuGet package management, debugging tools, and breakpoints are critical in the .NET ecosystem. Understanding your IDE helps you write cleaner code, resolve errors, and work at a professional pace.

Roadmap

Step by step .NET learning path

This roadmap is divided into tracks, choose one or combine them.

1

Beginner, Fundamentals

Core knowledge required before diving into real .NET development View overview

1. Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
2. C# fundamentals
3. SOLID principles
4. .NET SDK and dotnet CLI
5. Debugging basics
6. HTTP basics for API and web development
7. Git and version control fundamentals
8. Error handling and exceptions
9. Logging and app configuration basics

C# OOP SOLID HTTP Git

Why this matters: these fundamentals ensure you can understand real applications, read professional codebases, and progress confidently into ASP.NET Core, APIs, EF Core, and cloud development.

2

Web Track, ASP.NET Core

Build server rendered and component based applications

1. MVC and Razor Pages fundamentals
2. Middleware and request pipeline
3. Routing, endpoints and controllers
4. Model binding and validation
5. Razor components and Blazor basics
6. Dependency Injection (DI)
7. Configuration, environments and settings
8. Static files, content hosting and bundling

ASP.NET Core Razor Components DI Routing

Why this matters: understanding MVC, Razor Pages, routing, middleware, and dependency injection is the foundation of all modern ASP.NET Core applications, whether you build websites, APIs, or Blazor apps.

3

API Track, REST and Minimal APIs

Design reliable and scalable APIs for web and mobile clients

1. REST fundamentals and resource design
2. Controllers vs Minimal APIs
3. Serialization, JSON handling and content negotiation
4. Authentication, JWT and Identity
5. Authorization and role based access
6. Filters, validation and middleware for APIs
7. API documentation with Swagger / OpenAPI
8. API versioning and lifecycle

Minimal API Swagger JWT REST JSON

Why this matters: API skills let you build the backend used by websites, mobile apps, and distributed systems. Learning REST, JWT, serialization, and documentation helps you design real-world production APIs.

4

Data Layer and EF Core

Work with relational databases, queries, and efficient data access

1. EF Core basics and DbContext
2. Migrations and schema evolution
3. Relationships and navigation properties
4. LINQ querying fundamentals
5. Query performance and optimization
6. When to use Dapper or raw SQL instead of EF Core
7. Transactions and unit of work

EF Core LINQ SQL Migrations Dapper

Why this matters: almost every .NET application stores and queries data. Mastering EF Core, LINQ, and relational modeling ensures you can build scalable backends, optimize performance, and avoid common anti-patterns.

5

Cloud and DevOps

Deploy, monitor, scale, and automate .NET applications

1. Docker fundamentals
2. Azure hosting options
3. CI/CD pipelines
4. Monitoring and logging
5. Scaling and resilience patterns

Docker Azure CI/CD Monitoring

Why this matters: Production applications require deployment automation, health monitoring, and scaling to stay reliable and cost-effective. These skills convert your app into a production-ready system.

6

Advanced, Architecture and Performance

Design systems that scale

1. Architecture fundamentals
2. Microservices and distributed systems
3. Domain Driven Design (DDD)
4. CQRS and event driven patterns
5. Performance optimization

DDD gRPC CQRS Redis

Why this matters: advanced architecture skills help you build reliable applications that remain fast, maintainable, and scalable as your system grows.

Setup

Tools, Editors, and Local Setup

Your foundational development environment. These tools help you write, test, debug, and deploy .NET applications efficiently.

Editors

Choose any modern editor built for .NET:

• Microsoft Visual Studio: The full IDE for Windows, best for enterprise, debugging, profiling, and large codebases.
• Visual Studio Code: Lightweight, cross-platform, ideal for APIs, minimal projects, and fast workflows.
• JetBrains Rider: Premium cross-platform IDE with powerful refactoring and performance tools.

SDKs and Runtimes

Install the required .NET environment:

• Latest LTS .NET SDK: Ensures stability and long-term support.
• global.json: Pin specific SDK versions for consistent builds.
• dotnet CLI: Manage projects, run apps, and install tools.

Database Tools

Recommended tools for working with SQL and local development:

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): The primary tool for managing SQL Server and Azure SQL databases.
• Azure Data Studio: Modern, cross-platform SQL editor for quick queries and dashboards.
• Local DB or SQL Server Developer Edition: For local development environments.

API Testing Tools

Essential tools for working with REST APIs:

• Postman: Test requests, collections, authentication, and API workflows.
• Thunder Client (VS Code): Lightweight API testing inside your editor.
• Swagger / OpenAPI: Automatically available in ASP.NET Core for interactive API testing.

Version Control

Source control and project collaboration tools:

• Git: Required for versioning and collaboration.
• GitHub Desktop or Sourcetree: For GUI workflows.
• GitHub, Azure Repos, or GitLab: For project hosting and CI/CD pipelines.

Terminal and CLI

Cross-platform command-line tools used daily:

• Windows Terminal: Recommended for PowerShell, WSL, and multiple tabs.
• PowerShell 7+: Modern automation and scripting.
• Git Bash (optional): Linux-like terminal for Git workflows.

Docker and Containers

Run .NET apps consistently across machines using containerization:

• Docker Desktop: The core tool for building and running containers.
• Docker CLI: Build images, run containers, and manage networks from the terminal.
• Docker Compose: Run APIs, databases, and services together in local multi-container setups.

Package Management

Manage project dependencies and third-party libraries:

• NuGet Package Manager: Install and update libraries for logging, EF Core, testing, and more.
• NuGet CLI: Restore, pack, publish, and manage packages from the command line.
• Package Reference (.csproj): Modern dependency format for .NET projects.

Practice

Projects that build real .NET skills

Hands-on development is the fastest way to grow as a .NET developer. Each project mirrors a real use case, reinforces important skills, and becomes a portfolio piece hiring managers can evaluate.

Beginner project, foundations you can trust

Build a console based to do manager focusing on problem-solving and core C# skills. Implement file persistence, collections, and unit tests.

• Essential C# syntax, collections, and I/O
• Error handling, validation, and small testable functions
• Unit tests with xUnit or MSTest

Estimated time 2 to 5 hours

Skills gained C#, CLI, file I/O, unit testing

Difficulty Beginner

Intermediate project, your first full web app

Create an ASP.NET Core MVC app with EF Core, authentication, and a basic admin UI. This mirrors typical small company production apps.

• CRUD pages and EF Core migrations
• Identity-based login and role management
• Admin dashboard with simple reports

Estimated time 2 to 4 weeks

Skills gained ASP.NET Core, EF Core, authentication, routing

Difficulty Intermediate

Advanced project, microservices, and cloud readiness

Build a distributed system with an API gateway, background workers, containers, and CI pipelines. This reflects modern production needs.

• Multiple services with ASP.NET Core APIs
• Docker, containers, and local orchestration
• CI/CD pipelines and Azure deployment patterns

Estimated time 6 to 12 weeks

Skills gained Microservices, Docker, CI, cloud deployment

Difficulty Advanced

Portfolio and GitHub success tips

Present your work clearly, with good commits, documentation, and releases, so hiring managers can quickly assess your impact.

• Readable README, setup steps, and screenshots
• Meaningful commits and release notes
• Highlight architecture decisions and tradeoffs

Estimated time 1 to 3 days

Skills gained Documentation, repo hygiene, presentation

Difficulty Beginner to Intermediate

Career

Career roadmap, roles, and interview preparation

A clear progression path for .NET developers. Understand expectations at each level, how to grow, and what skills hiring managers evaluate during interviews.

• Junior Developer (0 to 2 years): Build strong fundamentals in C#, .NET basics, ASP.NET Core, debugging, and version control. Contribute to small features, fix bugs, and complete guided projects.
• Mid-Level Developer (2 to 5 years): Deliver end-to-end features, understand APIs, databases, and authentication, and start applying clean architecture. Own modules, improve code quality, and participate in design discussions.
• Senior Developer (5+ years): Lead system design, define architecture, mentor junior developers, drive best practices, and collaborate with stakeholders. Focus on scalability, performance, reliability, and strategic technical decisions.

Interview preparation includes practicing data structures fundamentals in C#, solving real-world .NET scenarios, understanding system design principles, and reviewing past projects.

Resources

Cheat sheets, docs and courses

• Microsoft Learn: .NET documentation
• Microsoft Docs: ASP.NET Core official docs
• .NET release cadence
• Microsoft Learn: Write your first code using C# (Get started with C#, Part 1)
• YouTube: C# Tutorial - Full Course for Beginners
• Udemy: C# Basics for Beginners: Learn C# Fundamentals by Coding
• Pluralsight: C#, 29 Courses, 4 Labs

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which path should I start with, web or API?

If you want interactive applications, start with the Web track; if you want backend services, start with the API track.

Do I need Azure to learn .NET?

You can learn locally, but cloud knowledge is recommended for production deployments.

How long does it take to learn .NET?

Most learners understand the fundamentals in one to three months. Becoming job-ready usually takes three to six months, depending on pace, practice, and project depth.

Do I need to learn C# before ASP.NET Core?

Yes. Understanding C# syntax, OOP, async/await, and dependency injection is essential before working with ASP.NET Core.

Should I learn Entity Framework Core or Dapper first?

Start with EF Core because it is beginner-friendly. Learn Dapper later if you need more control or performance.

What operating system is best for .NET development?

Windows, macOS, and Linux all work with .NET. Visual Studio is Windows only, while VS Code and Rider work everywhere.

Do I need Docker as a beginner?

Not immediately, but Docker becomes essential when building APIs or preparing for real-world deployment.

What projects should I build to practice .NET?

Start with CRUD apps, then add authentication, APIs, database operations, and background tasks. Practical projects accelerate learning much more than tutorials.

How do I know if I am ready for a junior .NET role?

You are ready when you can build a full CRUD app, understand DI, EF Core, authentication, debugging, Git, and can explain your architectural decisions clearly.

Which database should I learn first?

SQL Server is the best starting point because it integrates cleanly with EF Core and is widely used in enterprise .NET applications.

Does .NET support mobile development?

Yes, .NET MAUI enables cross-platform iOS and Android development using C#.

What is the difference between .NET and .NET Framework?

.NET is modern, cross-platform, faster, and actively updated. .NET Framework is legacy and Windows only. New projects should use .NET.

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