.NET 9 One Year On
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since the release of .NET 9…
For developers, digital innovators, and businesses relying on Microsoft’s powerful and flexible framework, the evolution from version 8 to version 9 has been more than just another upgrade. From improved performance and smarter tooling to the way it’s shaped enterprise web and app development, .NET 9 has been the next evolutionary step in the delivery of enterprise digital solutions.
But before we dive into what’s changed, let’s start with the basics. After all…
What is .NET?
Think of .NET as the digital engine room that powers some of the world’s best software. At its core, .NET is Microsoft’s open source development framework; a powerful foundation that allows developers (including our talented devs here at Cold Banana!) to build all kinds of applications. From websites and mobile apps to desktop software and cloud based services, this framework makes for a mighty engine indeed.
The true power of .NET though is its versatility and agnostic language. Developers can code in a variety of different coding languages (such as C# and F#), and still take advantage of the same core libraries and performance benefits regardless of the coding language used. .NET also runs on multiple platforms (e.g. Windows, macOS, and Linux) making it the go to framework for global teams working on enterprise level digital solutions.
In short, .NET is what makes the digital world run smoothly… and it’s the framework we at Cold Banana have mastered to help enterprise businesses get the most from their digital presence with high performing, secure and scalable digital solutions.
So now you know what .NET is, BUT…
What is the .NET Framework used for?
At Cold Banana, we use .NET to build everything from enterprise grade websites and apps to more complex digital integrations. Here’s where this framework really shines:
- Web Development: Creating fast, dynamic websites and web applications using ASP .NET Core (a modular web application framework)
- Mobile Apps: Powers cross platform mobile apps with .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI).
- Cloud Applications: Building cloud native solutions that thrive on platforms like Microsoft Azure.
- Desktop Software: From internal tools to customer facing applications, .NET supports them all.
- APIs and Microservices: Ideal for modular, future proof architecture in modern development.
For an agency like ours, it means we can tailor solutions to fit a client’s exact needs; whether that’s a performance driven website or a robust enterprise app. .NET’s adaptability gives our developers the freedom to work with you and innovate upon your ideas to deliver a transformative digital experience for your customers.
What’s the difference between .NET 8 and .NET 9?
When version 8 launched, it was all about stability and performance. Version 9 built upon that solid foundation and took things up a notch with a focus on developer productivity, speed, and AI readiness.
Here are a few key differences that made headlines:
- Performance Enhancements: .NET 9 refined memory management and introduced smarter JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation, meaning faster load times and smoother performance across the board.
- Better Cloud Integration: Our developers can now deploy and scale applications even more efficiently in cloud environments such as Azure (a cloud infrastructure server network with a myriad of tools).
- AI and Machine Learning Improvements: .NET 9 added new AI building blocks with Microsoft’s ML.NET and other AI frameworks, allowing developers to embed AI directly into their applications with less friction.
- Refined .NET MAUI Features: Cross platform app development got smoother, with better support for mobile interfaces and device integration.
- Security Upgrades: As always, Microsoft doubled down on security with new cryptographic tools like KMAC (Keccak Message Authentication Code).
In essence, version 8 laid the groundwork. Version 9 made it smarter, faster, and more in tune with the future of digital development.
What impact has .NET 9 had over the last year?
One year on, and .NET 9 has more than proven itself. From enterprise web projects to app development, its impact is everywhere.
Businesses have seen measurable gains in both performance and scalability, while developers have embraced the improved tooling and reduced complexity. Performance developments weren’t paid lip service either, with Microsoft benchmarks showcasing up to an impressive ~10% reduction in app binary size and ~10% reduction in benchmark execution time.
At Cold Banana, our own projects have benefited massively; faster builds, cleaner integrations, and improved responsiveness built into projects across both web and mobile applications.
The .NET ecosystem has also grown. With more open source contributions, better documentation, and an active community, the .NET framework and developer community feels more alive than ever. Its alignment with AI and cloud first development also means it’s paving the way for the next decade of digital innovation.
Simply put: .NET 9 has raised the bar for what’s possible. As we look ahead to .NET 10, one thing’s certain… the future of digital solutions is only getting faster, smarter, and more connected!
Final thoughts
For businesses striving to stay ahead, adopting the latest in .NET technology isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about leading the pack. At Cold Banana, we’re proud to be at the forefront of that journey, forming partnerships with businesses to transform their digital presence with cutting edge .NET solutions built for the modern enterprise. After all, the tech world never stands still, and neither do we.
Want to read more about some of the topics covered in this blog? Check out some of our other pages here on the Cold Banana website:
Let’s Talk dotNET - https://www.coldbanana.com/services/build/dotnet
Let’s Talk Azure - https://www.coldbanana.com/services/build/cloud-infrastructure/azure