Introduction to ASP.NET Core

Build modern, cloud-based, internet-connected applications.

What is ASP.NET Core?

ASP.NET Core is a free, open-source, cross-platform framework for building modern, cloud-enabled, internet-connected applications. It's a re-imagining of the ASP.NET platform, designed for performance, modularity, and flexibility.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Cross-Platform: Run your applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • High Performance: Built from the ground up for speed and efficiency.
  • Unified MVC and Web API: A single programming model for building web UIs and APIs.
  • Modular: Includes only what you need, reducing overhead.
  • Open Source: Developed in the open with community contributions.
  • Dependency Injection: Built-in support for managing dependencies.
  • Cloud Ready: Optimized for deployment to cloud platforms like Azure.

Getting Started

To start building with ASP.NET Core, you'll need the .NET SDK. Here's a basic overview of the steps:

  1. Install .NET SDK: Download and install the latest .NET SDK from the official .NET website.
  2. Create a Project: Use the .NET CLI to create a new project. For example, to create a new web API project: 
    dotnet new webapi -n MyFirstApi
    Or for an MVC application: 
    dotnet new mvc -n MyFirstApp
  3. Run the Application: Navigate into your project directory and run the application: 
    cd MyFirstApp
dotnet run
  4. Explore the Code: Open the project in your favorite IDE (like Visual Studio, VS Code, or JetBrains Rider) and start exploring the generated files.

Core Concepts

ASP.NET Core introduces several fundamental concepts that are crucial to understand:

  • Middleware: A pipeline of components that process HTTP requests and responses.
  • Configuration: How to manage application settings from various sources (appsettings.json, environment variables, etc.).
  • Dependency Injection (DI): A design pattern for managing the creation and use of dependencies.
  • Hosting: How ASP.NET Core applications are hosted and managed.

This module provides a foundational understanding of ASP.NET Core. Subsequent modules will delve deeper into specific areas like MVC, Web APIs, Razor Pages, and data access.

Ready to build?

Explore the next step in your ASP.NET Core journey.

Next: ASP.NET Core MVC Basics