.NET 9: Exploring What’s New and How It Outshines .NET 8

Overview: With the most recent version, .NET 9, Microsoft’s .NET team is growing this robust framework by incorporating new features and enhancements to satisfy the evolving needs of developers. In order to show how the significant changes in .NET 9 impact modern software development, this article covers what’s new in .NET 9 compared to previous versions.

.NET gets quicker and faster with each release!

This framework is considered the pillar of the software development industry, enabling developers to create a wide range of apps on numerous platforms. Although it has undergone numerous changes, it remains the most popular among developers. With the release of .NET 9, Microsoft has solidified its promise of a cohesive, intelligent, and powerful platform for creating apps.

“We are launching this new version primarily to increase the productivity of .NET development with Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code with the C# Dev Kit, and cloud deployments easier with Azure services.”

Microsoft Team

.NET 9 introduces several significant enhancements in security, performance, and usability while building upon the firm basis of its predecessors. Developers may create modern, scalable apps using improved security features, quicker execution, and more efficient tools.

This latest edition gives developers new features like cloud-native support, a unified SDK, better AOT compilation, improved efficiency, and simplified tools. Besides these improvements, enhancements in .NET MAUI and EF Core, web, cross-platform, and data-intensive app development are made easier.

Overall, this new version is an excellent platform for developers who want to develop cross-platform, high-performance, reliable apps. The most recent developments in .NET 9 provide the features and tools required to thrive in today’s quickly changing development environment, whether you’re creating cloud-based solutions, mobile apps, or business software.

In this blog, we’ll examine the cutting-edge .NET 9 features that will revolutionize the way programmers develop apps.

Unlocking the Power of .NET 9: New Features for Developers

With .NET 9, developers can make a big step towards developing robust digital solutions. With its focus on performance, productivity, and scalability, this release ensures that .NET remains at the forefront of software development. Let’s explore in detail all the new changes in .NET 9.

1. Improvement in .NET SDK

The .NET 9 SDK brings significant improvements to streamline development and enhance productivity. Let’s check them out!

• Workload Sets

The .NET 9 SDK introduces workload sets, ensuring all workloads remain at the same version unless explicitly updated. This simplifies dependency management, prevents version mismatches, and ensures consistent project behavior for a more reliable development experience. Besides this, you may view the history of workload installations and modifications for the current .NET SDK installation by using the dotnet workload history command.

• Security Audits in NuGet

All transitive and direct package references are subject to NuGet security checks by default. This procedure is improved by tools such as ByteHide Radar, which combines SAST (Static Application Security Testing) and SCA (Software Composition Analysis). This two-pronged strategy makes it possible to find vulnerabilities in both your code and third-party packages, offering practical suggestions to reduce risks early in the development cycle.

• MSBuild Improvements

With better MSBuild integration, unit testing in .NET 9 has been improved, allowing parallel test execution to shorten test suite runtime. This protects against tampering and reverse engineering by guaranteeing that the application code is protected during compilation. These changes improve security and developer efficiency while maintaining compatibility with modern .NET workflows.

• Targeting multiple frameworks

The .NET 9 SDK introduces unified package management, streamlining dependency handling across multiple package sources in larger solutions. It also enhances multi-targeting support, enabling libraries to target various .NET versions or platforms.

For example, the below setup allows developers to build applications that can run on both .NET 9.0 and any platform supporting .NET Standard 2.1, enhancing flexibility and cross-platform compatibility.

<PropertyGroup> <TargetFrameworks>net9.0;netstandard2.1</TargetFrameworks> </PropertyGroup>

2. NET Library Improvements

Significant modifications have been made to the libraries in .NET 9 with the goal of enhancing developer experience, security, and speed. There have been advancements in areas like

• Enhanced JSON serialization

.NET 9 enhances JSON serialization with System.Text.Json updates, including customizable indentation size and character. A new JsonSerializerOptions.DefaultWeb singleton simplifies web-based serialization. Record types and immutable structures can now be serialized and deserialized effortlessly, eliminating complex configurations and streamlining development workflows. These features improve flexibility and ease of use.

public record Product(string Name, decimal Price); var product = new Product(“Laptop”, 1500.75m); // Serialize the Product object to JSON string json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(product); Console.WriteLine(json); // Output: {“Name”:”Laptop”,”Price”:1500.75} // Deserialize the JSON back into a Product object var deserialized = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<Product>(json); Console.WriteLine(deserialized?.Name); // Output: Laptop

• Linux optimization

The new CountBy and AggregateBy methods in LINQ let you aggregate state by key without requiring GroupBy to assign intermediary groups.

• Enhanced Priority Queue

The .NET 9 SDK improves collections by adding a Remove(TElement, TElement, TPriority, IEqualityComparer) method to the System.Collections.Generic.PriorityQueue<TElement, TPriority> type. This method provides more flexibility and control over priority queue management. It allows for the precise removal of pieces depending on their value, priority, and a custom equality comparer.

• Modern Cryptography Algorithm

This version enhances cryptography with a one-shot hash method in CryptographicOperations and new classes for the KMAC algorithm. The library now supports hardware-accelerated cryptographic algorithms, enabling faster performance for operations like hashing and encryption by leveraging specialized hardware instructions. These updates improve both efficiency and security.

Example: Hardware-Accelerated Hashing in .NET 9

using System.Security.Cryptography; using System.Text; // Convert a string to a byte array byte[] data = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(“Hello, .NET 9!”); // Compute the SHA-256 hash of the data byte[] hash = SHA256.HashData(data); // Convert the hash to a Base64-encoded string and print it Console.WriteLine(Convert.ToBase64String(hash));

This example highlights the cryptography library’s capability, showcasing hashing with improved performance through hardware acceleration.

• File I/O Enhancements

.NET 9 includes improved support for asynchronous operations and faster file reading and writing. This is especially crucial when managing big files or conducting several file operations simultaneously.

Check out the below example, which demonstrates asynchronous file reading using FileStream, with optimized settings for non-blocking I/O and a specified buffer size.

using (FileStream fileStream = new FileStream(“example.txt,” FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.Read, 4096, true)) { byte[] buffer = new byte[fileStream.Length]; // Asynchronously read data from the file into the buffer await fileStream.ReadAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length); }

3. .NET MAUI: Enhanced Performance & Reliability

Enhancements in .NET MAUI for building cross-platform apps on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android improve product quality, add new controls, boost performance, and expand developer tools, setting a higher standard for cross-platform applications. Let’s uncover all the improvements in .NET MAUI 9

• You can now more effectively manage your resources, code, and platform-specific logic with a single project that targets several platforms.
• For better performance and fewer errors, .NET MAUI 9 removes string-based property paths and introduces built bindings. Compile-time binding validation, improved debugging, and complete NativeAOT support are among the benefits that will enhance the development process.

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• The user experience is greatly improved with faster load times and greater performance when using mobile applications.
• Two new controls are introduced: TitleBar, which allows you to customize the title bars of Windows apps with full customization options and theme support, and HybridWebView, which hosts web content and facilitates two-way JavaScript-C# communication.
• Extra components and controls are available to facilitate the creation of dynamic and intuitive user interfaces.
• The Native API is introduced to transform MAUI views to native views. Activating particular windows on Mac Catalyst and Windows with ActivateWindow() is made possible by multi-window support.

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• Advanced styling and theming allow the development of consistent user interface appearances and experiences across many platforms and devices.
• ‘Native AOT compilation for iOS and Mac Catalyst has been introduced, which makes apps 2.5 times smaller and 2 times faster at startup. Although some capabilities, such as HybridWebView, are incompatible with trimming, full trimming minimizes the size of the application.
• New templates are included in .NET MAUI 9, such as Blazor Hybrid templates for fusing web and native apps and Todo List apps with SQLite.
• MainPage is moved to Window.Page and the Frame control is replaced with a border. It provides complete support for Android API level 35, Mac Catalyst 15, and iOS 18.

4. Enhanced Performance in .NET 9

One of the main advantages of the .NET platform has always been its performance. Microsoft’s emphasis on providing a quick, scalable, and effective runtime and framework is maintained in the version .NET 9. Let’s see how.

• Garbage Collection (GC) Enhancements

With .NET 9, the garbage collection method is enhanced, making it faster and more efficient. Garbage collection has significantly improved in handling large heaps and low-latency scenarios better. Low-latency GC solutions are very beneficial for high-performance, real-time systems like gaming, financial apps, and Internet of Things gadgets.

• JIT Compiler and Code Optimizations

Better code generation techniques, such as improved inlining, loop optimizations, and decreased overhead for function calls, are introduced by the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler in .NET 9. This results in better runtime performance and quicker execution times. Furthermore, more aggressive pre-compilation is now supported via the ReadyToRun (R2R) feature, which minimizes startup time and lowers runtime expenses.

• Improved Networking and I/O

Networking APIs in .NET 9 are streamlined for better performance under high load, including enhanced HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 implementations. Asynchronous I/O operations see reduced overhead, improving scalability in web and cloud applications.

• Support for Modern Hardware

.NET 9 is optimized for the latest CPU architectures, leveraging SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) and hardware acceleration for numerical and machine-learning workloads, ensuring peak performance on cutting-edge systems.

With all the aforementioned enhancements, this version is an effective tool for .NET developers to create scalable and effective apps.

5. Native AOT Expansion

Native Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation, a standout feature in the recent .NET version, generates smaller, optimized binaries by directly compiling managed code to native code. This feature significantly reduces memory consumption and speeds up application startup by producing binaries that are tailored for specific platforms. This leads to leaner, quicker apps that are perfect for IoT devices and microservices. Native AOT performs better in contexts with limited resources, streamlines deployment, and improves performance. These Native AOT enhancements primarily impact:

• Faster startup times and lower memory use due to less runtime JIT compilation result in improved performance.
• Smaller file sizes allow apps to operate more effectively on devices with limited resources.
• Better support for Windows, Linux, and macOS programs that are AOT-compiled

6. Optimized .NET Runtime

The enhanced runtime is one of the best features of .NET 9. As discussed earlier, the improved performance in areas like garbage collection (GC), native interoperability, and Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation has led to lower memory overhead and faster program execution times.

Along with these enhancements, a new attribute model for feature switches that supports trimming is included in the .NET 9 runtime. With the new features, you may create feature switches that libraries can use to switch between different functionalities. Let’s examine these new .NET Runtime factors in more detail.

• Attribute model for feature switches with trimming support

The attribute model for feature switches in .NET 9 allows you to define feature-dependent code paths using attributes. This model works seamlessly with trimming support, enabling the removal of unused code at publish time and optimizing app size and performance. If a feature is not supported, the unsupported (and consequently unneeded) features are eliminated during trimming or compilation using Native AOT, reducing the app size.

Here’s a coding example demonstrating this feature:

Code Example: Attribute-Based Feature Switch

using System; using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis; class Program { static void Main() { // Feature-dependent behavior if (FeatureManager.IsEnabled(“ExperimentalFeature”)) { ExperimentalFeature(); } else { StableFeature(); } } // Mark this method as dependent on the “ExperimentalFeature” [RequiresFeature(“ExperimentalFeature”, Url = “https://example.com/features/experimental”)] static void ExperimentalFeature() { Console.WriteLine(“Experimental feature is enabled!”); } static void StableFeature() { Console.WriteLine(“Using stable feature.”); } } // Feature management logic public static class FeatureManager { public static bool IsEnabled(string featureName) { // Simplified logic: Use config, environment variables, or flags to enable features. return featureName == “ExperimentalFeature”; } } // Custom attribute to mark feature-dependent code [AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Method | AttributeTargets.Class, Inherited = false)] public sealed class RequiresFeatureAttribute : Attribute { public string FeatureName { get; } public string? Url { get; set; } // Optional: Documentation or reference URL public RequiresFeatureAttribute(string featureName) { FeatureName = featureName; } }

Explanation:

1. Attribute Definition:

• The RequiresFeatureAttribute marks methods or classes as dependent on a specific feature.
• Optional metadata, like Url, can provide additional information.

2. Feature Check:

• In the Main method, FeatureManager dynamically checks if the feature is enabled.

3. Trimming Support:

• When ExperimentalFeature is disabled and the app is published with trimming (PublishTrimmed=true), the ExperimentalFeature method and its dependencies are removed from the binary.

Publish with Trimming:

Run the following command:

dotnet publish -c Release -p:PublishTrimmed=true -p:TrimMode=Full

If the feature is disabled, the trimmer removes the ExperimentalFeature() method, resulting in a leaner binary.

Hence, after looking at this example, we can say that, in line with .NET’s modern cutting and optimization capabilities, this method guarantees effective runtime behavior, streamlines feature management, and increases deployment size.

• UnsafeAccessorAttribute supports generic parameters

The UnsafeAccessorAttribute in .NET 9 enables unsafe access to otherwise inaccessible type members, extending support to generic parameters for CoreCLR and Native AOT scenarios. Initially introduced in .NET 8 without generic support, .NET 9 expands its functionality, allowing advanced scenarios requiring generic member access. This is particularly useful for reflection-heavy operations or interop scenarios where traditional access modifiers would restrict functionality. By enabling generics, .NET 9 enhances flexibility while maintaining robust runtime support across diverse application environments. Below is a coding example that explains this feature.

using System.Runtime.CompilerServices; public class Class { private T? _field; private void M(T t, U u) { } } class Accessors { [UnsafeAccessor(UnsafeAccessorKind.Field, Name = “_field”)] public extern static ref V GetSetPrivateField(Class c); [UnsafeAccessor(UnsafeAccessorKind.Method, Name = “M”)] public extern static void CallM(Class c, V v, W w); } internal class UnsafeAccessorExample { public void AccessGenericType(Class<int> c) { ref int f = ref Accessors<int>.GetSetPrivateField(c); Accessors<int>.CallM<string>(c, 1, string.Empty); }

7. ARM Experimental Support for SVEs

Scalable Vector Extension (SVE) supports variable vector lengths (128 to 2048 bits), enabling flexibility across hardware configurations. This allows efficient execution of the same code on diverse devices without compilation. Ideal for scientific simulations, machine learning, and cryptography, SVE optimizes performance for modern computing workloads with adaptable data widths.

Arm processors’ Scalable Vector Extension (SVE) transforms how modern technology manages parallel workloads. Flexible vector processing made possible by SVE enables notable performance gains in various applications. Adding ARM SVE/SVE2 support is another significant improvement in .NET 9.

For the first time, SVE.NET APIs will enable .NET developers to take advantage of the potential of scalable vector processing. This innovation will help developers create code that is more effective, performant, and fully utilizes modern hardware architectures.

For the first time, it will make scalable vector processing available to .NET developers via SVE.NET APIs. Thanks to this feature, dedicated developers can now design more effective, high-performance programs that fully utilize contemporary hardware architectures.

8. Dynamic PGO with JIT Compiler

With .NET 9, the JIT is not only quicker but also more intelligent. Dynamic Profile-Guided Optimization (PGO) improves the JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler’s capacity to optimize code according to runtime settings. In contrast to classical PGO, which profiles at build time, dynamic PGO collects execution statistics while the application is running, allowing the JIT compiler to perform more intelligent and flexible optimizations.

Dynamic PGO dynamically modifies optimizations according to real-world execution patterns, including the number of loops, frequently used methods, or branches taken. In particular for applications that are performance-critical, this leads to quicker execution and lower overhead.

Dynamic PGO increases the efficiency of .NET 9 applications by automatically fine-tuning performance-critical areas without the need for developer participation. This implies that you don’t need to adjust any other parameters because your code will be optimized during runtime.

Let’s take a coding example to better grasp it.

Example: Using Dynamic PGO

using System; class Program { static void Main() { for (int i = 0; i < 10_000; i++) { ProcessData(i % 2 == 0); } } static void ProcessData(bool isEven) { if (isEven) { HandleEven(); } else { HandleOdd(); } } static void HandleEven() { Console.WriteLine(“Processing even data.”); } static void HandleOdd() { Console.WriteLine(“Processing odd data.”); } }

How Dynamic PGO Works Here:

❖ The runtime collects branch behavior data (isEven is often true).
❖ The JIT compiler optimizes for the more frequent path (HandleEven).
❖ Less frequently executed code paths (HandleOdd) may be deprioritized, reducing overhead.

Dynamic PGO automatically tunes performance-critical areas without developer intervention, making applications more efficient. Therefore, we can say that compiler-level optimizations in .NET 9 allow these kinds of complex mathematical calculations to operate more quickly and with fewer resources.

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9. CET is Enabled by Default

Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET), a hardware-based security feature by Intel, is enabled by default in .NET 9. CET enhances application security by protecting against memory corruption attacks like Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) and Jump-Oriented Programming (JOP).

It provides techniques such as Indirect Branch Tracking (IBT) to verify control-flow integrity and the Shadow Stack to protect return addresses. CET integration allows .NET 9 to automatically take advantage of compatible hardware to improve runtime security without requiring major developer adjustments. Although this increases security, third-party library compatibility and legacy code may require adjustment. Hardware-enforced stack protection against ROP is implemented by CET. CET-enabled processes are subject to certain restrictions. You can choose not to use this function as well.

10. Improved Support for Cloud Native Applications

The enhanced cloud-native capabilities of .NET 9 are quite beneficial; they have made it possible for the platform to integrate more effectively with modern cloud settings. Key improvements include

• Native AOT for smaller, faster binaries, ideal for microservices
• Dynamic PGO for runtime performance tuning.
• Expanded containerization support simplifies deployment with prebuilt container images and reduced startup times.
• Improved observability tools, including enhanced logging, metrics, and tracking, help developers effectively monitor and debug cloud workloads.
• Integration with modern cloud technologies like Kubernetes and Dapr streamlines building resilient, distributed systems.

With these advancements, .NET 9 empowers dedicated .NET developers to build efficient, secure, and scalable cloud-native applications tailored for modern cloud ecosystems. Let’s see how.

• Better Containerization

It speeds up deployment times and streamlines application lifecycles with smaller container images and a Docker-optimized runtime.

• Simplified Microservices Architecture

NET 9 is perfect for distributed applications since it offers enhanced support for microservices together with optimized networking and APIs.

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• Integrated Cloud

Provides support from providers and offers advanced options for seamless integration with Google Cloud Platform, AWS, and Azure.

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11. Modern C# 13 Integration

With .NET 9 comes C# 13, introducing enhancements that simplify the language and make it more powerful. Key updates include:

• params collections for better handling of variable arguments
•  a new lock type with improved semantics.
• \e escape sequence has been added for better string handling
• method group natural type improves type inference.
• allow ref locals and unsafe contexts in iterators and async methods,
• ref struct types can now implement interfaces and be used as generic arguments.
• partial properties and indexers are supported
• overload resolution priority aids library authors.

All these features enhance language capabilities and developer productivity. You may test these features using the most recent version of Visual Studio 2022 or the .NET 9 SDK.

12. WPF .NET 9: Enhanced Theming Support

The Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) keeps developing to provide cutting-edge and flexible tools for creating desktop applications. Let’s examine these improvements that make WPF more robust and developer-friendly for building modern applications.

• Fluent Theme

Modern design aligned with Windows 11, supporting light/dark modes and system accent colors.

The Fluent theme can be applied in two ways:

1. Using the ThemeMode Property

Set the ThemeMode property at the application or window level to dynamically switch between light, dark, or system modes.

Example:

<Application x:Class=”MyApp.App” xmlns=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation” xmlns:x=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml” ThemeMode=”Light”> </Application>

2. Adding the Fluent Theme Resource Dictionary

Reference the Fluent theme resource dictionary in your XAML file to apply it throughout the application.

Example:

<Window.Resources> <ResourceDictionary> <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries> <ResourceDictionary Source=”pack://application:,,,/PresentationFramework.Fluent;component/Themes/Fluent.xaml” /> </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries> </ResourceDictionary> </Window.Resources>

• ThemeMode Property

Choose from system, light, dark, or Aero2 modes to customize themes dynamically at the application or window level for user experience and flexibility. This flexibility makes it easier to customize apps and guarantees a consistent user experience across devices.

• Custom Accent Colors

For a customized appearance, use system accent colors dynamically in apps that update automatically. With this setup, the application will immediately update to reflect any changes made to the system accent color without requiring a restart.

• Hyphen-Based Ligature Support

Enhances typography aesthetics in text-heavy apps by supporting hyphen-based ligatures in controls like TextBlock. This significantly improves the visual appeal of typography in applications that use advanced typefaces.

Earlier

Now in .NET 9

• BinaryFormatter Removal

To enhance security, WPF removes BinaryFormatter due to deserialization vulnerabilities. Attempts to use it now throw a PlatformNotSupportedException. .NET developers should migrate to secure alternatives like System.Text.Json or XmlSerializer for safe and reliable data handling.

13. ASP.NET Core: Improved Functionality

ASP.NET Core in .NET 9 brings a series of improvements that simplify, expedite, and improve web development. Some improvements have been added to enhance your web development experience.

• Improved HTTP/3 Support: Faster, more reliable communication with optimized HTTP/3 support.
• Blazor Improvements: Blazor Server enhancements improve scalability and performance by lowering latency and increasing responsiveness, especially in high-latency environments.
• Better Middleware: Improved handling in the middleware for faster request processing and better routing for complex applications.
• Native AOT for ASP.NET Core: Smaller, faster binaries ideal for cloud-native and microservice architectures.
• Enhanced WebSocket Functionality: More robust real-time communication for modern web applications.
• Enhanced Observability: Better diagnostics with improved logging, metrics, and distributed tracing.

These improvements have made ASP.NET Core a solid platform for developing scalable, responsive, and successful web applications.

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14. Built-in Support for OpenAPI Document Generation

The creation and upkeep of API documentation is now easier with .NET 9’s integrated support for OpenAPI document generation. This new feature aims to enhance the integration of OpenAPI definitions in your ASP.NET applications and streamline the development process.

A strong tool for specifying and recording HTTP APIs is OpenAPI. It gives you a consistent method to explain the endpoints of your API, the formats for requests and responses, authentication methods, and other crucial information.

The extensive use of OpenAPI has produced a strong ecosystem of tools for creating, evaluating, and documenting APIs. Notable examples that improve the productivity of API development include Redoc, Kiota for client library creation, and Swagger UI, among many others.

This feature allows for the generation of interactive API documentation, like Swagger UI, by automatically generating OpenAPI specifications from controller annotations and attributes. This integration ensures that APIs are regularly documented as they change, resulting in enhanced maintainability and collaboration between the development team.

Developers can also readily alter the produced OpenAPI document, adjusting replies, parameter types, and descriptions. This feature makes it easier for developers and API users to comprehend and use the services by improving the accuracy and accessibility of API documentation, which further enhances the development workflow.

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15. Improved Security Features

.NET has always placed an emphasis on security. The new version adds new security tools to assist .NET developers in creating more secure apps. These security updates collectively provide developers with robust tools to defend against evolving threats, making .NET 9 a reliable platform for building secure applications. Major improvements comprise the following:

• Improved trimming and dynamic Profile-Guided Optimization (PGO) enhance runtime security and performance.
• The framework now integrates Control-flow Enforcement Technology (CET) by default, protecting applications against common exploit techniques, such as return-oriented programming (ROP).
• The expansion of Native AOT in .NET 9 is one of the most intriguing security enhancements. As a result, apps become more secure and have fewer vulnerabilities resulting from unneeded functionality.
• Integrating authentication methods such as OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect is made easier by .NET 9. Using these enhanced APIs, developers can minimize errors that may result in security problems, such as incorrect token processing, misconfigurations, or improper authentication.
• Code integrity capabilities, such as Runtime Enforced Code Integrity (RECI), guarantee code security. Dangers like unauthorized changes to running binaries can be reduced through enforcement.
• By providing enhanced support for Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which offers greater security with fewer keys and improved resistance to brute-force and quantum computing attacks, .NET 9 fortifies cryptographic standards.

16. Innovating Distributed Applications with .NET Aspire

.NET Aspire, a revolutionary development in .NET 9, transforms the development and management of distributed applications. Some crucial enhancements are included in .NET Aspire 9.0 to improve distributed applications’ development, coordination, and management. It helps developers concentrate on functionality rather than infrastructure by streamlining the complexity of creating cloud-native, microservice, and containerized apps. Here, we examine the most significant breakthroughs.

• .NET Aspire 9 simplifies setup by removing workload installations. Dedicated developers can directly install the SDK in the app host project using updated templates, enhancing flexibility and agility for multiple projects.
• Telemetry in .NET Aspire 9 adds advanced filters for traces, integrates OpenTelemetry for structured logs, traces, and metrics from browsers, and enables a unified view of frontend and backend telemetry.
• To improve container orchestration and eliminate connection errors, .NET Aspire 9 adds Configurable Health Checks leveraging HTTP states and Wait for Dependencies, which guarantee resources start only when they are ready.
• Various features for managing distributed applications are introduced, including stopping, starting, and restarting resources separately without restarting the app host, automatic debugger reattachment, responsive mobile compatibility, sensitive property masking, and enhanced volume and health checks.
• .NET Aspire 9 allows for the definition of persistent containers that remain operational even when the app host stops, ensuring that critical resources like RabbitMQ stay active.
• With the introduction of APIs for customizing Azure Container Apps without changing infrastructure files, .NET Aspire 9 increases container management flexibility by enabling programmatic scaling of apps to zero replicas.
• With Azure Functions support and improved integrations with Redis Insight for real-time data visualization, .NET Aspire 9 easily integrates serverless functions within the app host.

Upgrading to .NET 9: Is It Worth Moving from .NET 8?

The successor to .NET 8, .NET 9, emphasizes performance and cloud-native applications. It is intended to speed up, simplify, and increase the reliability of development. It aims to increase security and efficiency while introducing new language features that facilitate development.

Here’s a more detailed comparison between .NET 8 and .NET 9 to help you choose the best framework for your project:

Mode of Comparison	.NET 8	.NET 9
Support Type	Long-Term Support (LTS)	Standard-Term Support (STS)
Stability	Highly stable with LTS support	It is still evolving with more frequent updates
Key Features	Enhanced cloud-native features Improved web APIs Better support for microservices Faster diagnostics for debugging	Focus on AI/ML and data-intensive workloads Continued optimization for performance New language features and runtime improvements
Performance	Optimized for cloud and web apps, scalable for enterprise workloads	Advanced performance optimizations, especially for AI and ML tasks
Security	Enhanced security features for cloud-based applications	Enhanced security, particularly for AI/ML workloads and advanced data protection
Compatibility	Fully compatible with previous .NET versions (7, 6, etc.)	Expected to be backward compatible with .NET 8, but some breaking changes may exist
Use Cases	Enterprise-level applications, web APIs, cloud-native systems, microservices	High-performance computing, real-time applications, AI/ML, and data-heavy systems
Tooling	Full compatibility with existing .NET tools, stable ecosystem	New tools and SDKs to support advanced workloads and AI-based development
Enterprise Adoption	Very high due to LTS and stability	Medium to high, but better suited for innovative or evolving projects
Ecosystem Support	Well-established, with extensive libraries and frameworks	New features, but still expanding its ecosystem for specific needs
Target Audience	Enterprise applications, cloud-native apps	Cutting-edge applications, AI/ML, and performance-intensive apps

Based on the above table, we can say that:

Choose .NET 8: If your project needs long-term stability and enterprise system compatibility, .NET 8 is a superior option. It’s ideal for businesses focused on cloud-native, microservice, and web-based solutions that need LTS support.

Choose .NET 9: It is better suited for advanced applications, especially those in fields that are performance-driven, AI, and ML. It provides additional optimizations, but because of its shorter support cycle, it can call for a more dynamic approach. Projects requiring cutting-edge features and quick evolution are ideal for it.

How to Upgrade Your Applications Seamlessly from .NET 8 to .NET 9?

To update to the new version of .NET 9, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Install the .NET 9 SDK

Download and install the .NET 9 SDK from the official .NET downloads page.

Verify the installation using:

dotnet –version

Ensure it displays the .NET 9 version.

STEP 2: Update global.json

If using a global.json file to target a specific SDK, update the version property to match the installed .NET 9.0 SDK version for compatibility and proper build execution.

{ “sdk”: { – “version”: “8.0.100” + “version”: “9.0.100” } }

STEP 3: Update the Target Framework

• Locate the .csproj file in your project.
• Update the TargetFramework to net9.0:

<TargetFramework>net9.0</TargetFramework>

STEP 4: Update Package References

Update the version attribute for all package references, including Microsoft, in your project file.AspNetCore, Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore, Microsoft.Extensions, and System.Net.Http.Json, to version 9.0.0 or higher. This ensures compatibility with .NET 9 and enables access to the latest features and improvements.

<ItemGroup> – <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.AspNetCore.JsonPatch” Version=”8.0.2″ /> – <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tools” Version=”8.0.2″ /> – <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Abstractions” Version=”8.0.0″ /> – <PackageReference Include=”System.Net.Http.Json” Version=”8.0.0″ /> + <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.AspNetCore.JsonPatch” Version=”9.0.0″ /> + <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tools” Version=”9.0.0″ /> + <PackageReference Include=”Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Abstractions” Version=”9.0.0″ /> + <PackageReference Include=”System.Net.Http.Json” Version=”9.0.0″ /> </ItemGroup>

STEP 5: Review Dependencies

Update any NuGet packages to versions compatible with .NET 9 using:

dotnet list package –outdated dotnet add package <PackageName> –version <Version>

STEP 6: Test Your Application

Run and test your application:

dotnet build dotnet run

STEP 7: Address Warnings/Errors

Review the .NET 9 release notes to identify breaking changes and deprecated APIs. Update your codebase accordingly by replacing deprecated APIs or modifying code to ensure compatibility with .NET 9, ensuring smooth migration and continued functionality. Review the .NET 9 release notes to identify breaking changes and deprecated APIs. Update your codebase accordingly by replacing deprecated APIs or modifying code to ensure compatibility with .NET 9, ensuring smooth migration and continued functionality.

By following these steps, you can smoothly migrate from .NET 8 to .NET 9.

Let’s Wind Up

Experienced developers are always looking for methods to streamline processes and provide high-performing applications, which is now much simpler with .NET 9.

Microsoft evolves .NET with every new version by introducing performance enhancements, new APIs, improved security, and cross-platform capabilities. Like all the previous versions .NET 9 focuses on developer productivity, modernizing tools, and integrating advanced technologies like cloud, AI, and AOT compilation, ensuring .NET stays relevant, efficient, and future-ready for diverse application needs.

It will be a win-win situation if you are planning to outsource NET development for your dream project. Because .NET 9 has all the elements needed to build modern, scalable apps, including performance enhancements, developer-friendly tools, and groundbreaking AI integrations.

You can trust eLuminous Technologies for customized development solutions that ensure the success of your .NET projects. With expertise and experience, we deliver innovative and efficient solutions, helping you navigate the complexities of .NET development for optimal outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is .NET MAUI?

.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is a cross-platform framework for building native applications on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android using a single codebase. It allows developers to create responsive, high-performance apps with shared resources and a unified API.

.NET MAUI vs Flutter: Which is best for cross-platform app development?

• Is .NET 9 faster than .NET 8?

It is true that. NET 9 provides better runtime efficiency, lower memory utilization, and quicker startup times than .NET 8. These enhancements make .NET 9 faster overall by enabling more responsive and effective apps.

• Is .NET 9 long term support or short term support?

.NET 9 is a short-term support (STS) release. Microsoft typically provides long-term support for even-numbered releases, such as .NET 6 and .NET 8, while odd-numbered versions, like .NET 7 and .NET 9, are considered short-term support, with a shorter support window of around 18 months. Therefore, .NET 9 will receive support until mid-2025.