ASP.NET Core Overview
ASP.NET Core is a cross-platform, high-performance, open-source framework for building modern, cloud-enabled, internet-connected applications.
What is ASP.NET Core?
ASP.NET Core is a rewrite of the ASP.NET platform, designed from the ground up for performance, modularity, and cloud-native development. It allows you to build:
- Web applications
- Web APIs
- Real-time applications using SignalR
- Microservices
- And more...
Key Features and Benefits
High Performance
Built for speed and efficiency, ASP.NET Core is one of the fastest web frameworks available.
Cross-Platform
Run your applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux without modification.
Modular and Lightweight
Includes only the necessary components, leading to smaller deployments and faster startup times.
Open Source
Developed in the open on GitHub, fostering community collaboration and transparency.
Cloud-Native
Designed with cloud deployment in mind, supporting containers and microservices architectures.
Unified Framework
Combines the best of MVC and Web API into a single programming model.
Getting Started
To start developing with ASP.NET Core, you'll need:
- The .NET SDK (Software Development Kit)
- A code editor like Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, or JetBrains Rider
You can install the .NET SDK from the official .NET download page.
Core Concepts
Middleware Pipeline
ASP.NET Core applications use a lightweight, pluggable pipeline of middleware components to handle HTTP requests.
// Example: Basic middleware setup
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var app = builder.Build();
app.UseHttpsRedirection();
app.UseStaticFiles();
app.MapGet("/", () => "Hello World!");
app.Run();
Dependency Injection
Built-in support for dependency injection (DI) makes it easy to manage services and improve code testability.
Configuration
ASP.NET Core provides a flexible configuration system that supports various sources, including JSON files, environment variables, and command-line arguments.