Increase target .NET Framework

[dwettstein]

Current target .NET framework is 4.5.2, which is end of support soon.
I suggest to update to latest .NET LTS 6.0. Or if that's not possible, to latest .NET Framework 4.8.

See also https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/install/guide-for-developers

[dwettstein]

As an advantage of .NET 6.0, the Fody and Costura.Fody packages could be removed by using .NET own approach instead.

See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/deploying/single-file

[Anc813]

@dwettstein I'm afraid that .NET6.0 version won't work on windows 7

I'm mostly python delevoper. What is benefit of upgraing .NET framework?

Programs builded with .NET 4.5.2 will not work with .NET 6.0 installed?

[dwettstein]

Hey @Anc813

I can understand your concerns. Actually, I'm also not a .NET developer. 😄 However, I found some documentation from Microsoft regarding the .NET (framework) versions.

First things first:

The .NET Framework 4.5 and later versions are backward-compatible with apps that were built with earlier versions of the .NET Framework.

Ref: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/migration-guide/version-compatibility#backward-compatibility

This means that even if you installed .NET 4.8, you can run an app built with .NET 4.5.2. However I'm not yet sure how this applies to .NET 6. Maybe this could help https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/versions/selection#framework-dependent-apps-roll-forward.

Regarding the installation:

• .NET 4.x: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/get-started/system-requirements
• .NET 6.x: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/install/windows?tabs=net60

Both can be installed on Windows 7 SP1 or later.

Would an upgrade to .NET 4.8 as a first step makes sense? This would simplify the setup of the local development environment, as .NET 4.8 is preinstalled on the latest Windows versions.

Edit: Eventually also this blog could give some insights: https://christianfindlay.com/2021/12/12/upgrade-to-net-6/