What is nuget?

NuGet is a package manager for the Microsoft development platform, mainly used with .NET projects. It lets developers share and reuse code libraries (called “packages”) by downloading them from an online repository and adding them to their projects automatically.

Let's break it down

  • Package: A zip file that contains compiled code (DLLs), scripts, and a description file (nuspec).
  • Repository: A server that stores many packages; the main public one is nuget.org.
  • Client: A tool (the NuGet CLI, Visual Studio UI, or dotnet CLI) that searches, downloads, installs, updates, and removes packages.
  • Package reference: A line in your project file (e.g., .csproj) that tells the client which package and version to use.

Why does it matter?

  • Saves time: No need to write common functionality from scratch.
  • Guarantees consistency: Everyone on a team gets the exact same version of a library.
  • Handles dependencies: NuGet automatically pulls in other packages a library needs.
  • Simplifies updates: One command can upgrade a library across the whole solution.

Where is it used?

  • In Visual Studio when you add a library via “Manage NuGet Packages”.
  • In .NET Core/5/6/7 projects using the dotnet add package command.
  • In CI/CD pipelines to restore packages before building.
  • In private company feeds for internal libraries or licensed components.

Good things about it

  • Integrated directly into Microsoft tooling, so it feels native.
  • Large public ecosystem: thousands of ready‑to‑use packages.
  • Versioning and semantic version support make upgrades predictable.
  • Supports private feeds, allowing secure sharing of proprietary code.
  • Automatic handling of transitive dependencies reduces manual work.

Not-so-good things

  • Over‑reliance on many packages can bloat the final application size.
  • Conflicting version requirements may cause “dependency hell” if not managed carefully.
  • Packages from unknown sources might contain security vulnerabilities or malicious code.
  • Occasionally, package updates can introduce breaking changes that require code adjustments.
  • Private feeds need proper authentication and maintenance, adding operational overhead.