Ultimate ASP.NET Core Web API Development Guide

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

13 hours 52 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

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Overview

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This course features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Unlock the power of ASP.NET Core by mastering API development from the ground up. In this course, you will explore the key principles of RESTful API development, and how to build, secure, and deploy web APIs using ASP.NET Core. Starting from setting up the development environment, you'll gain hands-on experience with Visual Studio, GitHub, Postman, and Swagger, which are essential tools for building scalable APIs. Throughout the course, you will learn to implement core functionalities like creating endpoints for GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE operations and adding advanced features like authentication, authorization, error handling, and logging. The course takes you on a journey through foundational topics, such as database modelling, Entity Framework setup, and working with data. You’ll also dive into advanced concepts like securing your API with JWT authentication, implementing refresh tokens, and integrating AutoMapper for better object mapping. Furthermore, the course covers practical skills like API versioning, caching, paging, and deploying your API to Microsoft Azure. This course is perfect for developers looking to deepen their understanding of ASP.NET Core Web API development. Whether you're a beginner who wants to start with the basics or an intermediate developer aiming to enhance your skills, this course will provide you with all the tools to build professional-grade, secure APIs. No prior experience with ASP.NET Core is required, but familiarity with basic programming concepts is beneficial. By the end of the course, you will be able to create fully functional ASP.NET Core Web APIs, implement authentication and authorization with JWT, add logging, error handling, and versioning, and deploy your application to Azure.

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course

In this module, we will introduce the course objectives and outline the key concepts you will learn, including the basics of API development. You’ll get an overview of the course structure and the principles behind building REST APIs, preparing you for the upcoming hands-on lessons.

Environmental Configuration

In this module, we will walk you through the installation and configuration of key development tools. You’ll set up Visual Studio 2022 and GitHub to streamline your development and version control process. We’ll also introduce Postman, a powerful tool for API testing, ensuring you’re ready to test your API endpoints as you develop.

Project Setup and Configuration

In this module, we will guide you through setting up your ASP.NET Core API project, whether you prefer Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code. You will also learn to explore the project using Swagger UI, configure essential components like CORS, and integrate logging with SeriLog. Additionally, we will cover version control with GitHub, ensuring smooth collaboration and tracking throughout the development process.

Database Modelling and Entity Framework

In this module, we will focus on setting up and working with Entity Framework in your API project. You will learn how to create data models, perform migrations, and seed your database with initial data. This module will provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to manage data persistence in your API, while also ensuring that you stay organized with GitHub commits.

Scaffolding API Functionality

In this module, we will cover how to scaffold controllers and actions in your ASP.NET Core API. You will learn how to test key HTTP methods—POST, GET, PUT, and DELETE—and understand their behavior within your API. Additionally, we will ensure that your project is continuously updated in GitHub for version control.

REST API Development Best Practices

In this module, we will explore best practices for building maintainable and efficient APIs. You’ll learn how to refactor your methods using DTOs and AutoMapper, improving the way data is transferred across your API. We will also cover the implementation of the Repository Pattern to enhance your codebase structure and separation of concerns, while also incorporating version control with GitHub.

Creating Additional API Behaviors

In this module, we will build on the foundation you’ve set by scaffolding additional controllers and actions to introduce more functionality to your API. We’ll guide you through the setup of DTOs and refactor your controller code to align with best practices. This section ensures your API is robust and functional, with continuous integration into GitHub for version control.

Securing Your Application

In this module, we will walk you through securing your API using industry-standard practices. You will set up user authentication with Identity Core, implement JWT-based security, and manage user roles. Additionally, we will show you how to protect sensitive endpoints and add features like refresh tokens for more robust security in your application.

Value-Added Features

In this module, we will focus on adding advanced features to your API. You’ll learn how to implement logging and handle errors globally, improving the stability of your application. We will also cover techniques like API versioning, caching, paging, and OData, enhancing the functionality of your API and making it more scalable and user-friendly. Additionally, we’ll ensure your API is well-documented with Swagger and secure with JWT.

API Hosting and Deployment (IIS and Azure)

In this module, we will guide you through the process of hosting and deploying your ASP.NET Core Web API to production. You will set up an Azure account and deploy both your application and database to Microsoft Azure. Additionally, we will cover how to host your API on IIS, ensuring your application is ready for real-world use.

Conclusion

In this module, we will conclude the course by reviewing the key concepts and skills you have acquired. We’ll recap the entire development process from setting up your project to deploying it to production, ensuring you’re ready to tackle more advanced API projects on your own.