.NET Core can be used to build applications for IoT devices and scenarios. IoT applications typically interact with sensors, displays and input devices that require the use of GPIO pins, serial ports or similar hardware. The Raspberry Pi is commonly used for IoT applications.
The following samples demonstrate various scenarios:
These samples use the System.Device.Gpio library. It will be supported on Linux and Windows IoT Core. The library is currently in early preview, based on source in dotnet/iot.
There are many libraries that are important beyond GPIO, I2C and related fundamental protocols. We are working on a plan where the .NET Team and the community can work together to build up a shared repository of implementations.
The samples expect the device pins to be connected in particular way to function, typically on a breadboard. Each example includes a Fritzing diagram of the required breadboard layout, such as the following one (taken from the More blinking lights sample).
You need to use at least .NET Core 2.1. .NET Core 3.0 is required for ARM64 devices.
Many of these samples use the Raspberry Pi, however, .NET Core can be used for other devices. A Raspberry Pi Starter Pack contains enough electronics to get started on many projects.
.NET Core is supported on Raspberry Pi 2 and 3. Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is recommended, based on the faster CPU. .NET Core is not supported on Raspberry Pi Zero or any of the Raspberry Pi model A devices. .NET Core does is not supported on ARMv6 chips, only ARMv7 and ARMv8. It is not supported on Arduino.