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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) VS Microsoft .NET Framework

Compare Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) VS Microsoft .NET Framework and see what are their differences

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) logo Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Learn more about how the Windows Subsystem for Linux works.

Microsoft .NET Framework logo Microsoft .NET Framework

Microsoft.
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-17
  • Microsoft .NET Framework Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) features and specs

  • Seamless Integration
    WSL allows users to run a Linux distribution alongside their Windows environment, enabling a seamless workflow that combines the best of both operating systems without the need for dual booting.
  • Ease of Use
    Setting up WSL is straightforward via the Microsoft Store, and it provides a user-friendly way to access Linux tools without complex installations or virtual machine setups.
  • Performance
    WSL offers near-native performance for Linux applications, as it manages system calls directly using the Windows kernel, providing better speed compared to traditional virtual machines.
  • Resource Efficiency
    Since it doesn't require a full Linux kernel virtualized layer, WSL consumes fewer resources (such as RAM and CPU), allowing for more efficient multitasking with Windows applications.
  • Development Environment
    WSL provides developers with access to powerful Linux-based tools and frameworks directly from Windows, making it attractive for cross-platform development.

Possible disadvantages of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

  • Limited Hardware Support
    WSL might not fully support all hardware features, especially those related to complex peripherals or proprietary drivers that are typically better handled by native Linux installations.
  • Incomplete Linux Experience
    While WSL gives access to many Linux capabilities, it may not support certain system-level operations or kernel modules that are possible in a complete Linux environment.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some Linux applications or packages might not run smoothly or at all on WSL, requiring workarounds or alternates to achieve the desired functionality.
  • Networking Limitations
    Networking setup may be more complex with WSL, including limited support for certain networking namespaces, which can hinder specific use cases like advanced networking configurations.
  • Overhead Concerns
    Despite lower resource usage than full virtual machines, there's still some performance overhead with WSL due to the translation layer for Linux system calls on the Windows kernel.

Microsoft .NET Framework features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Development
    .NET supports cross-platform development, allowing developers to build applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Performance
    .NET offers high performance with optimizations and compiled code that run efficiently on the .NET runtime.
  • Large Ecosystem
    The .NET ecosystem includes a vast range of libraries, frameworks, and tools that can accelerate development.
  • Strong Community Support
    There is a strong, active community and extensive documentation available, which makes troubleshooting and learning easier.
  • Rich Base Class Library
    .NET provides a rich base class library with extensive functionalities for tasks such as database interaction, XML handling, data manipulation, and more.
  • Security
    .NET provides robust security features, including code access security, role-based security, and cryptographic services.
  • Asynchronous Programming
    .NET has built-in support for asynchronous programming, which can improve application performance, especially in I/O operations.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft .NET Framework

  • Memory Consumption
    .NET applications can be memory-intensive, which might be a concern for applications where resources are constrained.
  • Windows-Centric History
    .NET has historically been Windows-centric, and although now cross-platform, some older components and libraries may not be fully portable.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For beginners, the depth and breadth of .NET can be overwhelming, making the learning curve steep.
  • Installation and Setup
    The .NET runtime and associated tools can require significant setup and configuration, especially in environments with stringent policies.
  • Versioning Issues
    Multiple versions of the .NET Framework can coexist, potentially leading to compatibility issues.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) videos

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Tutorial & How To

Microsoft .NET Framework videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Microsoft .NET Framework)
Web And Application Servers
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Development Tools
43 43%
57% 57
Text Editors
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) might be a bit more popular than Microsoft .NET Framework. We know about 125 links to it since March 2021 and only 88 links to Microsoft .NET Framework. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) mentions (125)

  • What I wish I knew about Python when I started
    If you are running Microsoft Windows, I want to advise one more prerequisite step that you need to take before getting started with Python or uv: install the Windows Subsystem for Linux, also known as WSL2. Do not, for the love of all that is good and holy, try and install Python tooling directly in Windows; install WSL first. This guide outlines all the steps you need to take to get started, though I recommend... - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Using curl-impersonate in Node.js to avoid blocks
    Note: node-curl-impersonate is only compatible with Unix-based operating systems like Linux and macOS. If you are on Windows and cannot use the WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), consider using [ts-curl-impersonate](https://www.npmjs.com/package/ts-curl-impersonate) as an alternative as it comes with native Windows support. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Boost Your Productivity with Shell Aliases: A Simple Hack for Flutter Developers
    Another option is to use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which gives you a Linux-like terminal on Windows. With WSL, you can follow the same steps for creating aliases as you would on macOS or Linux by editing your .bashrc or .zshrc file. To set up WSL, check out the official Windows Subsystem for Linux documentation. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Linux Desktop Market Share Climbs to 4.45%
    A very cursory search would tell you about the Windows Subsystem for Linux: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Attempted to setup windows-linux dual boot on my PC and screwed it all up - please help
    Dual boot is ssooo previous decades. Let me introduce you to WSL, Windows Subsystem for Linux, now you can run Linux (including GUI) seamlessly from within windows. No dual boot, no sacrifice to security with legacy boot, no restarting to use apps and tools from the other OS, use windows and Linux truly side by side. Source: almost 2 years ago
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Microsoft .NET Framework mentions (88)

  • Using Pulumi for Rapid Deployment
    From a Powershell will verify that the installation was successful. I already had .NET8 installed but the guide has a link if you need to install it. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Supercharge Your Productivity with the .NET CLI
    If not, you'll have to download the SDK of your choice from Microsoft. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Setting up a .NET Core Web API project on a Mac using Terminal
    Download and Install .NET SDK: Visit the .NET SDK Download Page and download the latest stable version for macOS. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • The Dotnet, Nx, AnalogJs (Angular) Stack is here - Part 1
    Note: A couple of assumptions before we start: you should have the .NET SDK installed already (I used version 8) and dotnet-ef. If you don't have these tools, please install them first: dotnet SDK and dotnet-ef. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Detecting Anomalies with .NET and ML.NET: A Practical Guide
    Step 1: Install the .NET SDK Make sure you have the .NET SDK installed. If you don’t have it yet, download it here. Trust us, it’s easier than assembling IKEA furniture. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and Microsoft .NET Framework, you can also consider the following products

Laragon - All in one web server.

Oracle Mobile Application - Oracle Mobile Application framework or Oracle Mobile Application development platform is a hybrid mobile framework for rapidly developing single source applications for many platforms and devices.

XAMPP - XAMPP is a free and open-source cross-platform web server that is primarily used when locally developing web applications.

WompMobile - WompMobile offers tow kind of functions – first creating new mobile apps and secondly converting the websites into mobile applications.

SSH of Windows' Linux subsystem - Installation instructions for the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10.

OutSystems - Build Enterprise-Grade Apps Fast.