If you are new to backend development and come from a .NET background, ASP.NET Core Web API is the best place to start. In this article, I will walk you through the basics of setting up a backend service using ASP.NET Core.
What is ASP.NET Core Web API?
ASP.NET Core Web API is a framework for building RESTful HTTP services using .NET. It allows your client applications whether desktop, mobile, or web to communicate with a backend server by sending and receiving JSON data over HTTP.
Setting Up Your First Web API
First, make sure you have the .NET SDK installed. Then run the following command to create a new Web API project:
dotnet new webapi -n MyFirstAPI
cd MyFirstAPI
dotnet run
This creates a fully working API with a sample endpoint right out of the box.
Creating Your First Endpoint
Open the project and add a simple controller:
[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class DataController : ControllerBase
{
[HttpGet]
public IActionResult GetMessage()
{
return Ok("Hello from ASP.NET Core Web API!");
}
[HttpPost]
public IActionResult PostData([FromBody] MyDto data)
{
return Ok($"Received: {data.Name}");
}
}
public class MyDto
{
public string Name { get; set; }
public string Value { get; set; }
}
Sending Data Using HttpClient
From your client application, you can send data to your API using HttpClient:
var client = new HttpClient();
var json = JsonSerializer.Serialize(new { Name = "Test", Value = "123" });
var content = new StringContent(json, Encoding.UTF8, "application/json");
var response = await client.PostAsync("https://localhost:5001/api/data", content);
Why Use JSON?
JSON is the standard format for data exchange between client and server. It is lightweight, human-readable, and supported by virtually every platform and language. ASP.NET Core automatically serializes and deserializes JSON with no extra configuration needed.
Conclusion
ASP.NET Core Web API gives you a powerful, scalable, and easy-to-maintain backend for any type of .NET application. Whether your client is a WPF desktop app, a console app, or a web frontend, this stack covers all your needs and is the industry standard for .NET backend development today.
