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NET Best Practices: The Vital Do’s (and Don’ts to Dodge)

Software Development

5 min read

27/3/2023


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Ever wondered what .NET best practices are and why you should care? Well, grab a seat and get comfy because we’re about to take you on an enlightening journey. In this article, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of .NET and why it’s worth considering for your projects. But first, let’s paint a picture – a cautionary tale, if you will.

Imagine Retailee, a thriving e-commerce company, set on launching a high-performing new mobile app to make shopping a breeze for their customers. They gather their talented devs, who, eager to get cracking, decide to skip reviewing the latest .NET best practices, trusting their experience will suffice. As development rolls on, trouble brews: improper exception handling, messy code, and the clock ticking ever louder.

Under pressure, corners are cut, and testing falls by the wayside. The app is released, but it’s a bug-ridden mess, leaving customers fuming and Retailee’s reputation in tatters. If only they had stuck to the .NET best practices from the get-go, they could’ve had a solid app and happy customers.

You surely don’t want to end up in that predicament, right? That’s why we’ve put together a practical guide on the dos and don’ts of .NET development for your reference. However, if you’d rather jump right in and collaborate with a development partner well-versed in .NET, we’re here for you. Check out our services. We’re eager to provide the support you need throughout the development process and assist you in crafting top-tier software solutions.

What is NET Core Used For?

NET Core is a modern, open-source, cross-platform framework that has taken the development world by storm! But, what exactly is it used for, you might ask? Well, .NET Core is designed to create a diverse range of applications, including web apps, mobile backends, microservices, libraries, and console apps. Thanks to its versatility, it’s no wonder that it has become increasingly popular among developers.

Not only is it cross-platform, but .NET Core also boasts impressive performance, easy updates, and robust security features. Its modular architecture allows developers to utilize only the necessary packages, resulting in leaner and more efficient applications. Plus, the built-in support for Docker and Kubernetes containerization simplifies deployment and scaling, making it an excellent choice for modern cloud-based applications.

When it comes to popularity, the stats speak for themselves:

  • According to the 2021 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, .NET Core ranks as the sixth most popular framework among developers, with 18.1% of respondents having used it.
  • In 2021, the most sought-after technology skills in the .NET C# the technology stack was led by ASP.NET, which was selected by nearly 40% of the respondents. This was followed by .NET Framework, .NET Core, and .NET 5, which were also highly favored for building and running applications.
  • About 4,271,171 domains currently use Microsoft ASP.NET.

NET Best Practices: 15 Do’s You Absolutely Need to Implement

Want to level up your Net Core development prowess? Explore these 15 crucial do’s you simply must put into practice.

Tip #1. Embrace the Latest .NET Framework Versions

Keeping your .NET projects up-to-date with the latest framework versions is crucial to ensure optimal performance, security, and support. According to Microsoft, .NET Core  is the future of .NET, and staying current with such latest releases can help you take advantage of new features and improvements.

Tip #2. Follow SOLID Principles

SOLID principles are a set of five design guidelines that promote maintainable, flexible, and scalable code:

  • Single Responsibility Principle: Keep things tidy by ensuring each class has only one reason to change.
  • Open/Closed Principle: Be ready for the future by making your code open for extension but closed for modification.
  • Liskov Substitution Principle: Keep it flexible by ensuring that objects of a derived class can be swapped with objects of their base class without altering the correctness of the program.
  • Interface Segregation Principle: Play nice with others by making your interfaces small, focused, and client-specific.
  • Dependency Inversion Principle: Stay in control by depending on abstractions, not on concrete implementations.

The SOLID principles are essential in .NET development as they foster maintainability, scalability, flexibility, testability, and reduced technical debt. By adhering to these guidelines, .NET developers can create high-quality applications that can easily adapt to changing requirements, integrate new features or components, and minimize technical debt. Ultimately, following SOLID principles leads to more robust, efficient, and successful software projects.

Tip #3. Utilize Dependency Injection

Dependency injection (DI) is a technique that promotes loose coupling between components and makes your code more modular and testable. According to a publication, Dependency Injection is widely-used to support many use cases, but perhaps the most blatant of uses is to permit easier testing.

Tip #4. Implement Proper Exception Handling

Adequate exception handling can help your application recover gracefully from errors, maintain stability, and provide informative feedback to users. Ensure your team follows best practices for handling exceptions, such as using try-catch blocks and logging errors for easier debugging.

Tip #5. Write Clean, Readable Code

Maintaining a consistent coding style and following established guidelines can improve the readability of your code, making it easier for team members to understand and collaborate. Microsoft provides C# coding conventions that can serve as a helpful starting point.

Tip #6. Prioritize Unit Testing

Unit testing is essential for ensuring the reliability of your software and minimizing the risk of regressions. Microsoft highlights unit testing as a top method for testing .NET applications, such as the .NET CLI or Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). So, make sure to allocate time for creating and maintaining unit tests.

Tip #7. Leverage Asynchronous Programming

Asynchronous programming can help improve the responsiveness and scalability of your applications. With the async and await keywords available in C#, implementing asynchronous methods is easier than ever.

Tip #8. Keep Security Top of Mind

Incorporate secure coding practices into your development process to protect your applications from potential threats. Regularly review the Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) for updated guidance on creating secure software.

Tip #9. Optimize Performance

Focus on writing efficient code and profiling your applications to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks. Utilize tools like BenchmarkDotNet to measure the performance of your code accurately.

Tip #10. Implement Logging and Monitoring

Logging and monitoring are critical for understanding your application’s behavior, diagnosing issues, and ensuring smooth operation. Consider using tools like Serilog or NLog to implement effective logging in your .NET applications.

Tip #11. Use Source Control

Version control is essential for tracking changes, collaborating with team members, and maintaining a history of your codebase. Git is the most popular choice among developers, with 70 million developers using it.

Tip #12. Continuously Integrate and Deploy

Implement Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) processes to ensure your code is consistently tested, built, and deployed. This practice streamlines the development process, reduces human error, and accelerates release cycles. According to the State of .NET 2021, 65% of .NET developers use CI/CD tools in their projects.

Tip #13. Keep Your Dependencies Up-to-Date

Regularly updating your dependencies reduces security risks and allows you to take advantage of the latest features and improvements. Use tools like NuGet Package Manager to manage your .NET packages and stay up-to-date with the latest releases.

Tip #14. Utilize Code Analysis and Linters

Code analysis and linters help identify potential issues, enforce coding standards, and improve code quality. Tools like Roslyn analyzers and StyleCop can be invaluable for maintaining a clean and consistent codebase.

Tip #15. Invest in Developer Education and Collaboration

Encourage your team to continually learn, share knowledge, and collaborate on best practices. Promoting a culture of learning and teamwork leads to better software solutions and a more enjoyable development experience.

NET No-Nos: 5 Don’ts to Evade for Flawless Development

We’ve talked about the do’s, but what about the don’ts? To achieve truly flawless .NET development, it’s crucial to know the pitfalls you should avoid. In this section, we’ll discuss six major no-nos of net coding standards and how to steer clear of them.

Don’t Ignore Performance Best Practices

Did you know that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load? In today’s fast-paced digital world, performance is everything. Make sure to optimize your code, use caching, and minimize resource usage to keep your applications running smoothly.

Don’t Rely Solely on Third-Party Libraries

While third-party libraries can save time and effort, they can also introduce vulnerabilities and bloat your code. Almost eighty-four percent of open source project maintainers say they can fix a security problem in less than a week, per Snyk’s State of Open Source Security survey. In fact, only 22% of people polled stated they can respond to an incident report within the hour. Be selective when using external libraries and make sure they are well-maintained and secure.

Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Communication

Effective communication is essential for successful development projects. A Project Management Institute survey found that poor communication is a primary factor in 56% of project failures. Foster open communication within your team and with stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.

Don’t Ignore User Feedback

Your users are your best source of information for improving your application. According to product manager Joe Van Os:

“Users are not interchangeable. Some people will only complain, others will have no opinion at all, and some will give you helpful suggestions. Contributions from users in the form of helpful criticism are highly prized. They can be consulted not only for their thoughts on the current product but also on concepts for new enhancements. Because of this, it is crucial to locate such people and develop a connection with them..”

Listen to your users, and use their feedback to guide your development efforts.

Don’t Delay Deployment

Frequent deployments are a key component of modern development practices, allowing you to deliver value to users quickly and adapt to changing requirements. A DORA State of DevOps report found that high-performing teams deploy 46 times more frequently than their low-performing counterparts. Embrace continuous deployment practices to keep your .NET projects moving forward.

Benefits of ASP.NET Core Development

ASP.NET Core development comes with a plethora of advantages that can help you create high-performance, reliable, and scalable applications.

Here’s a deeper dive into the benefits of this framework:

Net Core Performance

ASP.NET Core is known for its impressive performance. A TechEmpower benchmark shows that ASP.NET Core ranks among the top frameworks for speed and efficiency.

  • Faster response times lead to improved user experiences.
  • Efficient resource usage reduces server costs.
  • High performance can improve search engine rankings.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

One of the standout features of ASP.NET Core is its ability to run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. A Stack Overflow Developer Survey revealed that developers are increasingly working with non-Windows platforms.

  • Develop and deploy applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Reach a broader audience by targeting various platforms.
  • Share code across different operating systems, reducing development time.

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Built-in Dependency Injection

Dependency Injection (DI) is a key principle in modern software development. ASP.NET Core comes with built-in DI support, making it easier to manage dependencies and create modular, maintainable code.

  • Simplify dependency management with built-in DI support.
  • Improve application testability and extensibility.
  • Encourage modular design and clean architecture.

Enhanced Security

Security is a critical concern for any application. ASP.NET Core boasts a robust security model that includes features like data protection, authentication, and authorization. According to a Microsoft Security Intelligence report, these features help protect your web apps from common attacks and vulnerabilities.

  • Protect sensitive data with built-in data protection features.
  • Implement authentication and authorization easily.
  • Minimize the risk of common attacks, such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF).

Community Support

ASP.NET Core benefits from a strong and active community, providing access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and support. With more than 60,000 stars on GitHub and a thriving ecosystem, you can find answers to your questions and learn from the experiences of fellow developers.

  • Access a vast array of learning resources, including tutorials, articles, and sample projects.
  • Receive guidance and support from the developer community via forums, social media, and conferences.
  • Benefit from ongoing improvements and updates driven by the active community.

Over to You!

And there you have it. We’ve journeyed through the essentials of Net Core logging best practices designed to help development teams, project managers, and decision-makers create high-quality, efficient applications. Remember, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way, and by embracing these do’s and don’ts, you can avoid the pitfalls experienced by our friends at Retailee.

By now, you should have a deeper understanding of the importance of following .NET best practices and guidelines. But, if you’re eager to dive right in and team up with a development partner with ample .NET expertise, we’re just a click away. And if you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always here to help!

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