Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates – 40% Off

One plan covers every Professional Certificate on Coursera.

Building secure, reliable, and scalable web APIs is a critical skill for modern software developers. This course focuses on advanced ASP.NET Core API development, covering security, testing, and emerging API technologies that help organizations deliver robust and maintainable applications. Throughout the course, learners will develop practical expertise in implementing authentication and authorization, managing users and roles, and applying proven security practices to protect API endpoints. They will also learn how to validate application quality through unit and integration testing, enabling greater confidence in deployment and maintenance. What sets this course apart is its balanced approach to theory and hands-on implementation. In addition to core security and testing concepts, learners are introduced to modern technologies such as gRPC, GraphQL, and SignalR, demonstrating how advanced API solutions are applied in real-world development scenarios. This course is ideal for ASP.NET Core developers, backend engineers, and software professionals seeking to strengthen their API development skills. Learners should have a foundational understanding of ASP.NET Core and web API development before starting the course. This course is part of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization.

Syllabus

Security and Identity in ASP.NET Core

This module guides learners through essential security practices in ASP.NET Core, including implementing authentication, role-based and claim-based authorization, and securing APIs with HTTPS. Learners will also explore JWT token structure, policy-based authorization, user and role management with ASP.NET Core Identity, and advanced topics like OpenID Connect and two-factor authentication. By the end, you'll be equipped to secure web applications and APIs effectively.

Testing in ASP.NET Core (Part 1 – Unit Testing)

This module introduces the fundamentals of unit testing in ASP.NET Core, including writing tests for services and database access layers using tools like Moq and FluentAssertions. Learners will explore best practices for isolating dependencies, managing test data, and ensuring robust coverage for both expected and edge-case scenarios. The module also covers test parallelism and the repository pattern to enhance test reliability and maintainability.

Testing in ASP.NET Core (Part 2 – Integration Testing)

This module guides learners through the process of integration testing in ASP.NET Core APIs, including how to test interactions between components, handle authentication and authorization in tests, and measure code coverage. Learners will gain practical skills in setting up realistic test environments and ensuring robust API functionality.

Getting Started with gRPC

This module introduces the fundamentals of gRPC, including how to define Protobuf messages and services, implement various streaming patterns, and integrate gRPC with ASP.NET Core applications. Learners will gain hands-on experience in creating, consuming, and updating gRPC services using contract-first development. Key concepts such as field numbers, GUIDs, and handling nullable values in Protobuf are also covered.

Getting Started with GraphQL

This module guides learners through building robust GraphQL APIs in ASP.NET Core using HotChocolate. You will explore schema design, implement queries and mutations, utilize resolvers and data loaders, and enhance APIs with filtering, sorting, and pagination. Advanced topics such as interface and union types are also covered to help you create flexible and efficient data models.

Getting Started with SignalR

This module introduces the fundamentals of building real-time web applications using SignalR, including setup, client integration across platforms, and secure communication. Learners will explore authentication, user and group management, and strategies for handling connection reliability. Practical examples demonstrate how to implement chat functionality and send messages from various services.