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Blazor: transforming the trajectory of app development

Creating an app is like constructing a building: both require strategic planning, upfront investment, and the use of versatile tools. But what if a single tool could make app development more cost-efficient, streamlined, and native-like? That’s where Blazor steps in.
Blazor web, desktop and app development
Blazor web, desktop and app development

    Blazor, released by Microsoft in 2018 as a free and open-source framework for web development, has evolved into a powerful tool. In this article, we take an in-depth look at Blazor, exploring its hosting models along with their benefits and limitations. We also provide insights into scenarios where Blazor development delivers the most value and demonstrate how EffectiveSoft professionals have successfully implemented this framework.

    What’s Blazor?

    Blazor is part of the ASP.NET Core framework designed to build full-stack web apps with C#, .NET, HTML, and CSS. In Blazor web development, software engineers use a single programming language, C#, for both the backend and frontend instead of employing JavaScript and its frameworks like Angular on the client side. However, JavaScript can still be useful in some cases, and developers can easily call JavaScript code from C# code.

    Razor components, also referred to as Blazor components, are fundamental building blocks used to create Blazor apps. They allow developers to build dynamic user interface (UI) elements, such as pages, buttons, or data entry forms using Razor syntax, C#, and HTML. These reusable components can be easily integrated to develop various web solutions, which significantly reduces development time and simplifies maintenance.

    All Blazor apps can be deployed using three hosting models: Blazor Server, Blazor WebAssembly (WASM), and Blazor Hybrid. The Hybrid model extends development beyond the web to include mobile and desktop platforms. Below, we explore the key features of these Blazor hosting models.

    Blazor Server

    With Blazor Server, the web app runs on the server in ASP.NET Core, executing C# code in the .NET runtime. The server and client communicate through SignalR—a real-time messaging library—using the WebSocket protocol. SignalR pushes data between the backend and the frontend to manage events, UI updates, and even JavaScript function calls if necessary.

    When a user interacts with the web app, the client side sends an event (user input) to the server through a constant SignalR WebSocket connection. The backend then processes the event and returns only the necessary changes to the client’s Document Object Model (DOM), updating the requested UI elements rather than all components on the page. This allows the web app to respond more quickly, delivering high performance and a streamlined user experience (UX).

    Blazor server example
    Blazor server example
    Blazor server example

    Web Application Development

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    Blazor WASM

    In the Blazor WASM hosting model, the web app runs entirely on the client side and uses WASM—a binary instruction format designed for browser engines—to execute C# code. When a user requests the app, the browser downloads it alongside a .NET runtime. The runtime leverages WASM to execute C# directly in the browser, enabling UI rendering on the client without a persistent connection to the server, except for the requested data fetching.

    Blazor WASM hosting model example
    Blazor WASM hosting model example
    Blazor WASM hosting model example

    Blazor Hybrid

    Blazor Hybrid combines web technologies with native .NET app frameworks like .NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Windows Forms to create cross-platform apps for the web, mobile, and desktop. In this hosting model, developers write a single codebase running on Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS and use BlazorWebView controls to render Razor components across these operating systems and various devices like tablets, mobile phones, and desktops. As it supports native functionality and UI elements through various .NET APIs, Blazor Hybrid is an ideal choice for developing web, mobile, and desktop apps that deliver native-like performance and flawless UX.

    Example of how Blazor hybrid apps work
    Example of how Blazor hybrid apps work
    Example of how Blazor hybrid apps work

    Legacy Application Modernization

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    Conclusion

    F.A.Q. about Blazor development

    • In addition to those mentioned in the article, the Blazor web development framework supports a wide range of features, including CSS isolation, virtualization, hot reload, and more.

    • Although Blazor is a viable alternative to JavaScript, it’s unlikely to replace JavaScript in the near future. This Microsoft framework supports various browser features, though not all of them, which may occasionally require the use of JavaScript snippets.

    • Blazor is definitely here to stay, with a promising future as Microsoft continues to evolve the framework by adding new features and expanding its full-stack and cross-platform capabilities.

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