NuGet vs Paket: What are the differences?

Introduction

NuGet and Paket are both package managers for .NET development, but they have some key differences that set them apart. In this Markdown document, I will highlight six of these differences and provide a brief description for each.

1. Dependency Resolution: NuGet uses transitive dependency resolution, which means that it will try to find the latest compatible version of a package and all its dependencies. Paket, on the other hand, uses a "strict" dependency resolution approach, which means that it will only allow a single version of a package to be referenced in the project. This can be helpful in avoiding version conflicts.

2. Package Sources: NuGet supports both public and private package sources, allowing developers to access packages from various sources. Paket, however, focuses mainly on Git repositories and does not have built-in support for other package sources. This can be limiting if you need to use packages from sources other than Git.

3. Package Locking: Paket has built-in support for package locking, which ensures that the same versions of packages are used across different machines and builds. NuGet does not have this feature natively, but it can be achieved using external tools or workflows. Package locking can help in creating consistent and reproducible builds.

4. Project Integration: NuGet is tightly integrated with Visual Studio, providing a seamless experience for managing packages within the IDE. Paket, on the other hand, is a command-line tool that can be used independently of any IDE. This can be advantageous if you prefer to work outside of Visual Studio or use a different IDE.

5. File Structure: NuGet organizes packages in a single folder in the project directory, with each package having its own subfolder. Paket, however, uses a flat file structure, where all packages are stored in a single folder. This can make it easier to navigate and manage packages, especially when working with large projects or complex dependency graphs.

6. Lockfile Format: NuGet uses a project file (".csproj") to manage package references and their versions. Paket, on the other hand, uses a separate "paket.lock" file to store the exact versions of packages used in a project. This can make it easier to track and manage package versions, especially when working in a team or across different environments.

In summary, NuGet and Paket have some key differences in terms of dependency resolution, package sources, package locking, project integration, file structure, and lockfile format. These differences can influence the package management experience and the overall development workflow for .NET projects.