Difference Between ASP NET Web API and ASP NET Core Web API Explained

ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core Web API, both developed by Microsoft, are popular choices for building Web APIs in the software development community. While they share some similarities, the difference between the two lies in their architecture, design principles, and features. This article aims to delve into the key differences between ASP.NET Web API and ASP.NET Core Web API.

What is the difference between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core?

ASP.NET Web API, released in 2012, was designed to build HTTP services that could be consumed by a wide range of clients. It is a section of the ASP.NET Framework, sharing many of its features, but with a focus on stateless communication between client and server.

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Architectural Differences

One of the most significant differences between ASP.NET Web API and ASP.NET Core Web API is their architectural underpinnings.

.NET Framework vs .NET Core

ASP.NET Web API is part of the full .NET Framework, which includes features like Windows communication services and a process- wide configuration system. On the other hand, ASP.NET Core Web API is built on .NET Core, which is a modular, cross-platform, and high-performance version of the .NET Framework.

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Cross-Platform Support

ASP.NET Core Web API's cross-platform support is one of its most notable features. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing developers with more flexibility in choosing their development and deployment environments. This was not an option with ASP.NET Web API, which was Windows-only.

DesignPhilosophies & Features

ASP.NET Core Web API, compared to its predecessor, follows a more modular and lightweight approach, adhering to practices like Separation of Concerns, Dependency Injection, and request/response pipelining.

Modularity & Dependency Injection

ASP.NET Core Web API implements a modular design, allowing developers to decouple pipelines, middleware, and services. The dependency injection feature enables developers to inject dependencies into any service in the application, promoting high cohesion and loose coupling among components.

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Middleware & Pipelining

ASP.NET Core Web API provides a robust middleware pipeline, enabling pre- and post-processing of HTTP requests and responses. This feature allows developers to build flexible and composable applications, each processing specific aspects of the incoming request or outgoing response.

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ASP.NET Web API Tutorials For Beginners and Professionals

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ASP.NET Vs PHP: Who is Winning the Battle?

The migration from ASP.NET Web API to ASP.NET Core Web API brings more innovations and improvements, such as improved performance, better security, and enhanced scalability. However, with great power comes great responsibility - developers must adapt to new paradigms and learn new ways of doing things. The decision to use one over the other ultimately depends on project-specific requirements and the developer's comfort with the technology stack.