The ASP.NET Command Line Interface (CLI) and Visual Studio are both tools used for developing ASP.NET applications, but they serve different purposes and cater to different development environments. Below, we explore the key differences between the two.

1. User Interface

ASP.NET CLI: The CLI is a command-line tool that operates through text-based commands. It is ideal for developers who prefer working in terminal environments or need to automate tasks through scripts.
Visual Studio: Visual Studio is a full-featured Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that provides a graphical user interface (GUI). It offers drag-and-drop features, code editors, debugging tools, and a rich set of extensions.

2. Platform Support

ASP.NET CLI: The CLI is cross-platform and can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it suitable for developers working in diverse environments.
Visual Studio: While Visual Studio is primarily designed for Windows, there is a version called Visual Studio for Mac. However, it does not have the same feature set as its Windows counterpart.

3. Project Management

ASP.NET CLI: The CLI allows developers to create, build, run, and publish projects using simple commands. For example, to create a new web application, you would use:

dotnet new webapp -n MyWebApp

4. Debugging

ASP.NET CLI: Debugging in the CLI is typically done using command-line tools or by attaching a debugger to the running process. This can be less intuitive for some developers.
Visual Studio: Visual Studio provides a powerful debugging experience with features like breakpoints, watch windows, and step-through debugging, all accessible through the GUI.

5. Extensibility

ASP.NET CLI: The CLI can be extended through custom scripts and tools, allowing developers to create their own commands or integrate with other command-line tools.
Visual Studio: Visual Studio supports a wide range of extensions and plugins that can enhance functionality, such as code analyzers, UI components, and third-party integrations.

Sample Code: Using Both Tools

Here’s a simple example of how you might create and run an ASP.NET Core application using both the CLI and Visual Studio:

Using ASP.NET CLI

dotnet new webapp -n MyWebApp
cd MyWebApp
dotnet run

Using Visual Studio

1. Open Visual Studio.
2. Select "Create a new project."
3. Choose "ASP.NET Core Web App" and click "Next."
4. Configure your project name and location, then click "Create."
5. Once the project is created, press F5 to run the application.

Conclusion

Both the ASP.NET CLI and Visual Studio have their strengths and weaknesses. The CLI is great for developers who prefer a lightweight, scriptable environment, while Visual Studio offers a rich, user-friendly experience with powerful debugging and project management features. The choice between the two often depends on personal preference, project requirements, and the development environment.