C# and ASP.NET Core on Linux – Recommended solution
Problem: if you are a software developer, especially in .NET, at some point you will want to work on Linux regardless of the distribution, and you will find that you cannot use Visual Studio and SQL Server as you do on Windows, which creates friction when migrating your development environment.
Recommended solution: for backend development with C# on Linux, I recommend using JetBrains Rider as the IDE, SQL Server as the database engine, and HeidiSQL as the client. Complementing this with Snap Store makes it easy to install tools such as .NET CLI tools SDK and Runtime, Rider, and HeidiSQL, achieving an experience very close to that of Windows.
Basic steps to get started: install snapd and the snap store with the commands sudo apt install snapd; sudo systemctl enable --now snapd; sudo snap install snap-store; run snap-store and from there install .NET CLI tools SDK Runtime, Rider, and HeidiSQL. For SQL Server, install dependencies with sudo apt install curl gnupg2 software-properties-common apt-transport-https; add the Microsoft key with curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -; add the Microsoft repository by downloading the package list for your Ubuntu version and then sudo apt update; sudo apt install mssql-server; and finish with the initial configuration sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup.
Why this solution and not others: there are several alternatives for developing in C# on Linux, but many are outdated or require too many extensions. MonoDevelop has little usage and a small community. Visual Studio Code is a very good option, but I personally prefer to separate IDEs for backend and frontend. Rider offers a complete experience, deep integration with .NET, and now has free versions for students and personal use, making it ideal for serious backend projects in C# and ASP.NET Core.
Practical benefits: with Rider plus SQL Server and HeidiSQL, you get debugging, testing, and smooth database administration, compatibility with existing .NET projects, and less friction when migrating corporate solutions. Using Snap Store speeds up the installation and updating of components such as the .NET SDK and auxiliary tools.
About Q2BSTUDIO: at Q2BSTUDIO we are a software development company specialized in custom applications and custom software, with experience in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We offer AWS and Azure cloud services, business intelligence services, and Power BI solutions, in addition to developing AI agents and AI projects for companies. Our teams combine good development practices with security and scalability to deliver custom applications that truly solve business needs.
If your goal is to migrate or start projects in C# and ASP.NET Core on Linux, the combination of Rider, SQL Server, and HeidiSQL, accompanied by Snap Store to manage installations, is a solid and practical solution. At Q2BSTUDIO we can support you in migration, custom software development, integrating artificial intelligence into your processes, and securing your solutions with cybersecurity. Relevant keywords for search engines: custom applications, custom software, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, AWS and Azure cloud services, business intelligence services, AI for companies, AI agents, Power BI.
