The Best NuGet packages can greatly enhance the capabilities of an ASP.NET Core project. Asp.Net Core is a powerful, open-source framework for building modern web applications and is a popular choice among web developers due to its lightweight and highly extensible nature. When you’re working with ASP.NET Core, there are many NuGet packages available to help you get the most out of your development experience, such as AutoMapper, FluentValidation, and Newtonsoft.Json for object mapping, data validation, and JSON handling, respectively.
In this article, we will cover 21 of the best NuGet packages for ASP.NET Core that can help streamline your development workflow and make it easier to build high-quality applications.
These packages cover a range of functionality, including object-to-object mapping, the mediator pattern, object validation, logging, JSON data handling, database access, authentication and authorization, and building web APIs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, these packages can help you get the most out of your ASP.NET Core projects.
What are NuGet Packages and How Can they be Used in ASP.NET Core projects?
NuGet is a package manager for the .NET platform that makes it easy to add, update, and manage libraries and tools in your .NET projects. NuGet packages are pre-built libraries that can be easily added to your ASP.NET Core projects via the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio or the dotnet CLI.
These packages can provide you with additional functionality, such as object-to-object mapping, validation, logging, and database access, as well as third-party libraries and tools. By using NuGet packages, you can save time and effort by leveraging pre-built solutions rather than having to build everything from scratch.
Now that you have a better understanding of what ASP.NET Core is and how it can benefit your web development projects, let’s take a look at some of the best NuGet packages that can help streamline your workflow.
01. Mapping Made Easy with AutoMapper
AutoMapper is a NuGet package that simplifies the process of object-to-object mapping in ASP.NET Core projects. It allows you to automate the mapping of objects from one type to another, saving you the time and effort of writing manual mapping code. Whether you are working with data transfer objects (DTOs), domain models, or data retrieved from a database, AutoMapper can help streamline your development workflow and make it easier to exchange data between different parts of your application.
One practical application of AutoMapper is when working with data transfer objects (DTOs) in a web API. DTOs are objects that are used to transfer data between the server and the client and are typically used to shape data in a way that is more suited for presentation to the client.
When working with a web API, you may want to map data from the database to DTOs before returning it to the client, rather than returning the raw data. AutoMapper can help automate this process and make it easier to map data from one type of object to another.
For example, let’s say you have a Customer object with properties such as FirstName, LastName, and Email. You may want to create a CustomerDTO object with the same properties, but with slightly different names (e.g., FirstName becomes First, LastName becomes Last, and Email becomes EmailAddress). Using AutoMapper, you can easily create a mapping between these two types of objects, as shown in the following code example:
// Define the source and destination objects var customerRecord = new CustomerRecord { Id = 1, Name = "John Smith" }; var customerModel = new CustomerModel(); // Use AutoMapper to map the objects Mapper.Map(customerRecord, customerModel); // The customerModel object now contains the data from the customerRecord object Console.WriteLine(customerModel.Id); // Outputs: 1 Console.WriteLine(customerModel.Name); // Outputs: "John Smith"
One possible reason you might want to map data from a Customer object to a CustomerDTO object is to return the data to a client via an API. The Customer object may contain sensitive data that you don’t want to expose to the client, so you can create a CustomerDTO with a subset of the data that is safe to share. Alternatively, you might want to rename the properties of the Customer object to match the naming conventions of the client, in which case you can use AutoMapper to create a mapping between the two types of objects.
Another reason you might want to use AutoMapper is to map data between domain models and DTOs in your ASP.NET Core project. For example, you might have a domain model that represents the data in your database, and a DTO that is used to transfer data between different parts of your application. In this case, you can use AutoMapper to map data between the domain model and the DTO, allowing you to easily exchange data between different parts of your application without writing manual mapping code.
Overall, AutoMapper is a valuable tool for streamlining object-to-object mapping in ASP.NET Core projects and can help you save time and effort when working with data transfer objects, domain models, and other types of objects. It is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
One tool that can help with this process is the NuGet Package Manager Console Extensions, a free Visual Studio extension that provides several commands for viewing all of the NuGet packages that are installed in your project, as well as their dependencies. You can download the extension from the Visual Studio website.
02. Implementing the Mediator Pattern with MediatR
MediatR is a NuGet package that allows you to implement the mediator pattern in your ASP.NET Core projects. The mediator pattern is a software design pattern that defines an object that acts as a mediator between two or more other objects. It allows you to decouple objects from one another, making it easier to change or add new functionality without affecting existing code.
One common use case for MediatR is in the implementation of command and query patterns in ASP.NET Core applications. A command is an operation that changes the state of an object, such as adding a new record to a database. A query is an operation that retrieves data from an object, such as retrieving a list of records from a database. By using MediatR, you can easily separate the command and query logic in your application and encapsulate it in separate classes, making it easier to manage and maintain your code.
To illustrate the practical applications of MediatR, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that allows clients to create, read, update, and delete records in a database. Using MediatR, you can create a command class for each operation (e.g., CreateCommand, ReadCommand, UpdateCommand, DeleteCommand) and a corresponding query class for each operation (e.g., CreateQuery, ReadQuery, UpdateQuery, DeleteQuery). Each class would contain the specific logic for the corresponding operation, and you would use MediatR to send the command or query to the appropriate class for execution.
For example, let’s say you want to create a new record in the database. You might create a CreateCommand class with a property for the record data, and a CreateHandler class that implements the logic for creating a new record. You would then use MediatR to send the CreateCommand to the CreateHandler for execution.
Here’s an Example of how This Might Look in Code:
// Define the command class public class CreateCommand : IRequest<int> { public RecordData RecordData { get; set; } } // Define the handler class public class CreateHandler : IRequestHandler<CreateCommand, int> { private readonly IDatabase _database; Copy code public CreateHandler(IDatabase database) { _database = database; } public Task<int> Handle(CreateCommand request, CancellationToken cancellationToken) { // Logic for creating a new record in the database return _database.CreateRecordAsync(request.RecordData); } } // Send the command to the handler using MediatR var result = await _mediator.Send(new CreateCommand { RecordData = recordData });
As you can see, MediatR makes it easy to implement the mediator pattern in your ASP.NET Core projects, allowing you to decouple your code and make it easier to manage and maintain. It’s a valuable tool for building clean and scalable applications with the framework.
Overall, MediatR is a powerful NuGet package that can help you implement the mediator pattern in your ASP.NET Core projects, making it easier to decouple your code and manage complex operations. It is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
03. Validating .NET objects with FluentValidation
FluentValidation is a NuGet package that allows you to easily validate .NET objects in your ASP.NET Core projects. It provides a simple and fluent API that allows you to specify validation rules for your objects, making it easy to ensure that they meet your requirements before they are used or persisted.
One common use case for FluentValidation is in the validation of user input in web applications. For example, you might use FluentValidation to ensure that a user’s email address is in a valid format, or that their password meets certain complexity requirements. By using FluentValidation, you can easily enforce these rules and prevent invalid data from being submitted to your application.
To illustrate the practical applications of FluentValidation, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that allows users to create accounts. You can use FluentValidation to ensure that the user’s email address is in a valid format and that their password meets certain complexity requirements, as shown in the following code example:
public class RegisterModelValidator : AbstractValidator<RegisterModel> { public RegisterModelValidator() { RuleFor(x => x.Email).EmailAddress(); RuleFor(x => x.Password).MinimumLength(8).WithMessage("Password must be at least 8 characters long"); } }
In this example, we are using FluentValidation to ensure that the Email property of the RegisterModel class is in a valid email format, and that the Password property is at least 8 characters long. If either of these rules is not met, FluentValidation will return an error message indicating the problem.
By using FluentValidation, you can easily enforce rules for your .NET objects and ensure that they are valid before they are used or persisted. It’s a powerful tool that can help streamline your ASP.NET Core development workflow and make it easier to manage your data.
04. Structured Logging with Serilog
Serilog is a NuGet package that allows you to implement structured logging in your ASP.NET Core projects. Structured logging is a way of organizing log messages in a way that makes them easier to search, filter, and analyze. It allows you to include additional information in your log messages, such as the time, location, and severity of the event being logged.
One common use case for Serilog is in the logging of errors and exceptions in your application. By using Serilog, you can easily track and troubleshoot issues that arise in your application, and identify patterns or trends that may indicate a larger problem.
To illustrate the practical applications of Serilog, let’s consider a scenario where you want to log an error that occurs in your application. Using Serilog, you can create a log message that includes the time, location, and severity of the error, as well as any additional information that may be helpful in troubleshooting the issue.
For example, let’s say you have an ASP.NET Core application that throws an exception when a user tries to access a resource that they do not have permission to view. You might use Serilog to log this error as follows:
Log.Error("User {Username} attempted to access resource {ResourceId} without permission", username, resourceId);
In this example, we are using Serilog to log an error message that includes the username of the user who attempted to access the resource and the ID of the resource they were trying to access. This information can be useful in tracking down and fixing the issue, as well as in identifying any trends or patterns that may indicate a larger problem.
Overall, Serilog is a powerful tool for implementing structured logging in ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
05. Working with JSON Data in ASP.NET Core Using Newtonsoft.Json
Newtonsoft.Json is a NuGet package that allows you to work with JSON data in your ASP.NET Core projects. It provides a powerful set of tools for parsing, serializing, and deserializing JSON data, making it easy to exchange data between different parts of your application.
One common use case for Newtonsoft.Json is in the creation of web APIs that return JSON data to clients. For example, you might use Newtonsoft.Json to serialize a list of records from a database and return them to a client as a JSON array. By using Newtonsoft.Json, you can easily convert your data into a format that can be consumed by a wide range of clients, including web browsers, mobile apps, and other APIs.
To illustrate the practical applications of Newtonsoft.Json, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that returns a list of products to a client. You might use Newtonsoft.Json to serialize the list of products and return it to the client as a JSON array, as shown in the following code example:
// Retrieve the list of products from the database var products = _productRepository.GetAll(); // Serialize the list of products using Newtonsoft.Json var json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(products); // Return the JSON data to the client return Ok(json);
In this example, we are using Newtonsoft.Json to serialize the list of products and return it to the client as a JSON array. This allows the client to easily consume the data and use it as needed.
Overall, Newtonsoft.Json is a valuable tool for working with JSON data in ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
06. Database Access Made Easy With Entity Framework Core
Entity Framework Core (EF Core) is a powerful NuGet package that makes it easy to access and manipulate data in a database from your ASP.NET Core projects. It provides a set of APIs for querying and updating data, as well as a way to map your application’s data model to the database schema. By using EF Core, you can reduce the amount of code you need to write to access and manipulate data in a database, making it easier to focus on building your application’s business logic.
To illustrate the practical applications of EF Core, let’s consider a scenario where you want to retrieve data from a database and display it to a user. Using EF Core, you can easily query the database and map the results to a list of objects in your application, as shown in the following code example:
using (var db = new MyDbContext()) { var customers = db.Customers .Where(c => c.IsActive) .OrderBy(c => c.LastName) .ThenBy(c => c.FirstName) .ToList(); }
In this example, we are using EF Core to query the Customers table in the database, filter the results by the IsActive column, and sort the results by the LastName and FirstName columns. We are then using the ToList() method to execute the query and return the results as a list of Customer objects.
Another example of how EF Core can be useful is when you want to update data in a database. Using EF Core, you can easily retrieve an object from the database, make changes to it, and save the changes back to the database with just a few lines of code:
using (var db = new MyDbContext()) { var customer = db.Customers.Find(1); customer.Email = "[email protected]"; db.SaveChanges(); }
In this example, we are using EF Core to retrieve the Customer object with an ID of 1 from the database, updating the Email property, and then saving the changes back to the database using the SaveChanges() method.
Overall, EF Core is a valuable tool for simplifying database access and manipulation in ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
07. Authenticating and Authorizing Users with Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity
Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity is a NuGet package that provides tools for authenticating and authorizing users in your ASP.NET Core projects. It allows you to manage user accounts, passwords, and roles, and provides a variety of options for authenticating users, including support for external authentication providers such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
One common use case for Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity is in the creation of web applications that require user registration and login. By using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity, you can easily set up user accounts, password policies, and role-based authorization to control access to different parts of your application.
To illustrate the practical applications of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that allows users to register and log in. Using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity, you can create a user account for each user and store it in a database, as shown in the following code example:
// Create a new user var user = new IdentityUser { UserName = "[email protected]" }; // Hash and store the user's password var passwordHash = new PasswordHasher<IdentityUser>().HashPassword(user, "password123"); user.PasswordHash = passwordHash; // Save the user to the database await _userManager.CreateAsync(user); In this example, we are using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity to create a new user account and store it in the database. We are also using the PasswordHasher class to hash and store the user's password, which helps to protect against password cracking attacks.
Overall, Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity is a valuable tool for authenticating and authorizing users in ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
08. Building Web APIs with ASP.NET Core MVC
ASP.NET Core MVC is a framework for building web APIs in .NET that makes it easy to build RESTful APIs that can be consumed by a variety of clients, including web browsers and mobile devices. It provides a powerful set of tools for routing, action selection, model binding, and more, making it a popular choice for building APIs in ASP.NET Core projects.
One common use case for ASP.NET Core MVC is in the creation of APIs that allow clients to perform CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations on a database or other data store. For example, you might use ASP.NET Core MVC to build an API that allows clients to create, read, update, and delete records in a database. By using ASP.NET Core MVC, you can easily define routes and actions that correspond to these operations, making it easy for clients to interact with your API.
To illustrate the practical applications of ASP.NET Core MVC, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that allows clients to create, read, update, and delete records in a database. Using ASP.NET Core MVC, you might define routes and actions as shown in the following code example:
[HttpGet("{id}")] public async Task<ActionResult<TodoItem>> GetTodoItem(long id) { var todoItem = await _context.TodoItems.FindAsync(id); if (todoItem == null) { return NotFound(); } return todoItem; } [HttpPost] public async Task<ActionResult<TodoItem>> PostTodoItem(TodoItem todoItem) { _context.TodoItems.Add(todoItem); await _context.SaveChangesAsync(); return CreatedAtAction(nameof(GetTodoItem), new { id = todoItem.Id }, todoItem); }
In this example, we are using ASP.NET Core MVC to define a route for retrieving a specific todo item by its ID, and a route for creating a new todo item. The GetTodoItem action uses the FindAsync method to retrieve the requested todo item from the database, and the PostTodoItem action uses the Add and SaveChangesAsync methods to create a new todo item in the database.
Another example of how ASP.NET Core MVC can be useful is in the implementation of a secure API. You can use ASP.NET Core MVC to define routes and actions that require authentication and authorization, ensuring that only authorized users can access your API. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where you need to protect sensitive data or resources.
Overall, ASP.NET Core MVC is a powerful tool for building web APIs in .NET, and is a great choice for building RESTful APIs in ASP.NET Core projects. Its rich set of features and flexibility make it well-suited for a wide range of API development needs.
09. Caching with Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory
The Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory NuGet package allows you to implement in-memory caching in your ASP.NET Core projects. This can be useful for improving the performance of your application by storing frequently accessed data in memory for quick retrieval.
One way in which the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory package can be used is to cache the results of frequently-used database queries. For example, you could use the package to cache the results of a query that retrieves a list of products or user profiles, avoiding the overhead of executing the query on the database each time it is needed.
To demonstrate the practical applications of Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that retrieves data from a database. Using the package, you might cache the results of a frequently-used database query as shown in the following code example:
private readonly IMemoryCache _cache; public ValuesController(IMemoryCache cache) { _cache = cache; } [HttpGet] public async Task<ActionResult<IEnumerable<string>>> Get() { const string cacheKey = "Values"; if (!_cache.TryGetValue(cacheKey, out IEnumerable<string> values)) { values = await _context.Values.ToListAsync(); var cacheEntryOptions = new MemoryCacheEntryOptions() .SetSlidingExpiration(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30)); _cache.Set(cacheKey, values, cacheEntryOptions); } return values; }
In this example, we are using the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory package to cache the results of a database query that retrieves a list of values. The cache is set to expire after 30 seconds, after which the query will be executed again and the cache will be updated.
Overall, the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory package is a useful tool for implementing in-memory caching in ASP.NET Core projects, and can help improve the performance of your application.
10. Enhancing Security with Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication
The Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication NuGet package provides a set of tools for enhancing the security of your ASP.NET Core applications. It allows you to implement authentication and authorization schemes, such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, and more. By using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication, you can easily secure your application and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
One practical application of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication is in the implementation of secure login and registration forms for web applications. For example, you might use the package to enable users to log in to your application using their Google, Microsoft, or Facebook accounts, or to register for an account using their email address and a password. By using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication, you can easily implement these features and enhance the security of your application.
To illustrate the capabilities of Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication, let’s consider a scenario where you want to enable users to log in to your application using their Google accounts. Using the package, you might configure your application as shown in the following code example:
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { services.AddAuthentication() .AddGoogle(options => { options.ClientId = "your-client-id"; options.ClientSecret = "your-client-secret"; }); } public void Configure(IApplicationBuilder app, IWebHostEnvironment env) { app.UseAuthentication(); app.UseAuthorization(); }
In this example, we are using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication to enable users to log in to our application using their Google accounts. By providing our Google client ID and client secret, we can securely authenticate users and protect our application from unauthorized access.
Overall, Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication is a valuable tool for enhancing the security of your ASP.NET Core applications, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
11. Adding Localization Support with Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization
The Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization NuGet package allows you to add localization support to your ASP.NET Core application. Localization is the process of adapting your application to the language and cultural conventions of a specific region or locale. By using the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization package, you can easily create localized versions of your application and provide a better user experience for users in different regions.
One practical use of the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization package is in the creation of multi-lingual web applications. For example, you might use the package to create a web application that is available in multiple languages, such as English, Spanish, and French. By using the package, you can easily create localized versions of your application and allow users to switch between languages as needed.
To illustrate the practical applications of the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization package, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web application that needs to support multiple languages. Using the package, you might set up localization in your application as shown in the following code example:
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { services.AddLocalization(options => options.ResourcesPath = "Resources"); services.Configure<RequestLocalizationOptions>(options => { var supportedCultures = new[] { new CultureInfo("en-US"), new CultureInfo("es-ES"), new CultureInfo("fr-FR") }; options.DefaultRequestCulture = new RequestCulture("en-US"); options.SupportedCultures = supportedCultures; options.SupportedUICultures = supportedCultures; }); }
In this example, we are using the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization package to specify the supported cultures for our application. We are also setting the default culture to be used when a user’s preferred culture is not supported.
To display localized content in our application, we can use the IStringLocalizer interface provided by the package. For example, we might use the IStringLocalizer to display localized messages to the user as shown in the following code example:
public class HomeController : Controller { private readonly IStringLocalizer<HomeController> _localizer; public HomeController(IStringLocalizer<HomeController> localizer) { _localizer = localizer; } public IActionResult Index() { var message = _localizer["WelcomeMessage"]; return View(); } }
In this example, we are using the IStringLocalizer to retrieve a localized message from our resources file based on the user’s preferred culture.
Overall, the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Localization package is a useful tool for adding localization support to your ASP.NET Core applications, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions for a global audience.
12. Protecting Data with Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection
Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection is a NuGet package that provides a framework for protecting sensitive data in ASP.NET Core applications. It allows you to encrypt and decrypt data, as well as create and validate digital signatures, making it a valuable tool for ensuring the security of your data.
One use case for Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection is in the protection of sensitive data stored in a database or other data store. For example, you might use the package to encrypt passwords or other sensitive information before storing it in a database, ensuring that it is protected from unauthorized access.
To illustrate the practical applications of Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web application that stores user passwords in a database. Using the package, you might encrypt the passwords before storing them, as shown in the following code example:
// Encrypt the password var protector = DataProtectionProvider.CreateProtector("MyApp.PasswordProtection"); string protectedPassword = protector.Protect(password); // Store the encrypted password in the database _context.Users.Add(new User { Email = email, Password = protectedPassword }); await _context.SaveChangesAsync();
When a user attempts to log in to the application, you can use Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection to decrypt the password and compare it to the password entered by the user. If the passwords match, the user is authenticated.
Overall, Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection is a valuable tool for protecting sensitive data in ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
13. Adding Real-Time Messaging Functionality with Microsoft.AspNetCore.SignalR
Microsoft.AspNetCore.SignalR is a NuGet package that allows you to add real-time messaging functionality to your ASP.NET Core projects. It enables you to create interactive, bidirectional communication between clients and servers, allowing you to build applications that can send and receive updates in real-time.
One common use case for SignalR is in the creation of chat applications or other real-time collaboration tools. For example, you might use SignalR to build a chat room or a real-time whiteboard application that allows multiple users to collaborate in real-time. By using SignalR, you can easily create these types of interactive, real-time applications in ASP.NET Core.
To illustrate the practical applications of SignalR, let’s consider a scenario where you want to build a real-time chat application. Using SignalR, you might define a hub for the chat messages as shown in the following code example:
public class ChatHub : Hub { public async Task SendMessage(string user, string message) { await Clients.All.SendAsync("ReceiveMessage", user, message); } }
In this example, we are using SignalR to define a hub for the chat messages. The SendMessage method is called by clients to send a message to the server, and the ReceiveMessage method is called by the server to broadcast the message to all connected clients.
Overall, SignalR is a powerful tool for adding real-time messaging functionality to ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
14. Monitoring the Health of Your Application with AspNetCore.HealthChecks
AspNetCore.HealthChecks is a NuGet package that allows you to monitor the health of your ASP.NET Core application. It provides a simple API for performing periodic checks on various aspects of your application, such as the status of a database connection or the availability of a third-party service.
One common use case for AspNetCore.HealthChecks is in the monitoring of the health of microservices in a distributed system. By using AspNetCore.HealthChecks, you can easily monitor the status of each microservice and detect problems before they become serious issues.
To illustrate the practical applications of AspNetCore.HealthChecks, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that relies on a database and a third-party service. Using AspNetCore.HealthChecks, you might define health checks for these dependencies as shown in the following code example:
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { services.AddHealthChecks() .AddCheck<DatabaseHealthCheck>("database") .AddCheck<ThirdPartyServiceHealthCheck>("third_party_service"); }
In this example, we are using AspNetCore.HealthChecks to define two health checks: one for the database and one for the third-party service. You can then use the AspNetCore.HealthChecks API to perform these checks on a regular basis and retrieve the results.
Overall, AspNetCore.HealthChecks is a valuable tool for monitoring the health of your ASP.NET Core application, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
15. Integrating with Azure with Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions
The Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions NuGet package allows you to easily integrate your ASP.NET Core application with Azure services. It provides a set of tools for working with Azure Storage, Azure Service Bus, Azure Functions, and more, making it a valuable tool for building cloud-based solutions with ASP.NET Core.
One way you might use the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions package is to create and schedule Azure Functions from your ASP.NET Core application. Azure Functions are small pieces of code that can be triggered by events and run in the cloud, providing a flexible and cost-effective way to run code on demand. By using the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions package, you can easily create and schedule Azure Functions from your ASP.NET Core application, allowing you to leverage the power of Azure in your solutions.
To give you an idea of how the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions package can be used, consider the following code example:
var config = new JobHostConfiguration(); // Configure the connection to Azure Storage config.UseAzureStorage(Configuration["AzureWebJobsStorage"]); // Create the host var host = new JobHost(config); // Start the host host.RunAndBlock();
In this example, we are using the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions package to configure the connection to Azure Storage and create a new JobHost object. The JobHost object is responsible for executing Azure Functions and managing their lifecycle. By calling the RunAndBlock method, we are telling the JobHost to start executing Azure Functions and block the current thread until the host is stopped.
Overall, the Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs.Extensions package is a useful tool for integrating your ASP.NET Core application with Azure services, and is definitely worth considering when building cloud-based solutions with the framework.
16. Testing Your Application with xUnit
xUnit is a popular unit testing framework for .NET that allows you to write and run tests for your application. It provides a variety of features that make it easy to create and maintain tests, including support for parallel test execution, data-driven tests, and more.
In the context of ASP.NET Core projects, xUnit can be used to test various aspects of your application, including controllers, services, and models. By writing tests with xUnit, you can ensure that your application is working as expected and catch any bugs before they are deployed to production.
To illustrate the practical applications of xUnit in an ASP.NET Core project, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that retrieves data from a database. Using xUnit, you might write a test to ensure that the API is able to retrieve data from the database as expected, as shown in the following code example:
[Fact] public async Task TestGetData() { // Arrange var options = new DbContextOptionsBuilder<MyDbContext>() .UseInMemoryDatabase(databaseName: "TestDatabase") .Options; using (var context = new MyDbContext(options)) { context.Data.Add(new Data { Id = 1, Value = "Test Value" }); context.SaveChanges(); } using (var context = new MyDbContext(options)) { // Act var controller = new DataController(context); var result = await controller.GetData(1); // Assert Assert.Equal("Test Value", result.Value); } }
In this example, we are using xUnit to write a test that retrieves a specific record from the database and checks that it has the expected value. By running this test, we can ensure that the DataController is able to retrieve data from the database as expected.
Overall, xUnit is a powerful tool for testing your ASP.NET Core applications, and is an essential part of any well-designed testing strategy.
17. Improving Performance with Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer
The Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer NuGet package provides a distributed cache for ASP.NET Core applications that stores data in a SQL Server database. This can be useful in scenarios where the in-memory cache provided by Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.Memory is not sufficient, such as when your application needs to scale horizontally across multiple servers.
One possible use case for the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer package is in the caching of frequently accessed data that is expensive to retrieve from a database. For example, you might use the package to cache the results of a complex database query or a large dataset that is accessed frequently. By storing the data in a SQL Server database, you can easily share the cache across multiple servers, improving the performance of your application.
To illustrate the practical applications of the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer package, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that retrieves data from a database. Using the package, you might cache the results of a frequently-used database query as shown in the following code example:
private readonly IDistributedCache _cache; public ValuesController(IDistributedCache cache) { _cache = cache; } [HttpGet] public async Task<ActionResult<IEnumerable<string>>> Get() { const string cacheKey = "Values"; if (!_cache.TryGetValue(cacheKey, out byte[] values)) { var cacheEntryOptions = new DistributedCacheEntryOptions() .SetSlidingExpiration(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30)); values = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(JsonConvert.SerializeObject(await _context.Values.ToListAsync())); _cache.Set(cacheKey, values, cacheEntryOptions); } return JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<IEnumerable<string>>(Encoding.UTF8.GetString(values)); }
In this example, we are using the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer package to cache the results of a database query in a SQL Server database. The cache is configured with a sliding expiration of 30 seconds, meaning that the data will be refreshed if it has not been accessed within the past 30 seconds. By using the distributed cache provided by the package, you can easily share the cache across multiple servers, improving the performance of your application.
Overall, the Microsoft.Extensions.Caching.SqlServer package is a useful tool for improving the performance of your ASP.NET Core application by storing cache data in a SQL Server database. It is easy to use and can help you achieve better performance in your application.
Research Paper on the Performance of Different ORMs in ASP.NET Core
18. Managing Dependencies with Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection
Dependency injection is a software design pattern that allows you to separate the implementation of a class from its consumption, making it easier to change or add new functionality without affecting existing code. The Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection NuGet package provides a set of tools for implementing dependency injection in ASP.NET Core applications.
One common use case for the Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection package is in the management of dependencies between classes in your application. For example, you might use the package to inject a repository class into a service class, allowing the service class to access the repository without having to create an instance of it directly. By using the Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection package, you can easily manage the dependencies between classes in your application, making it easier to change or add new functionality.
To illustrate the practical applications of the Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection package, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that retrieves data from a database. Using the package, you might inject a repository class into a service class as shown in the following code example:
public class TodoService { private readonly ITodoRepository _repository; public TodoService(ITodoRepository repository) { _repository = repository; } public async Task<IEnumerable<TodoItem>> GetAll() { return await _repository.GetAll(); } } public class TodoRepository : ITodoRepository { private readonly TodoContext _context; public TodoRepository(TodoContext context) { _context = context; } public async Task<IEnumerable<TodoItem>> GetAll() { return await _context.TodoItems.ToListAsync(); } }
In this example, we are using the Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection package to inject an instance of the TodoRepository class into the TodoService class. This allows the TodoService class to access the repository without having to create an instance of it directly, making it easier to manage the dependencies between classes in your application.
Overall, the Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection package is a powerful tool for managing dependencies in ASP.NET Core applications, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with the framework.
19. Adding Support for OpenAPI (Swagger) with Swashbuckle.AspNetCore
Swashbuckle.AspNetCore is a NuGet package that allows you to add support for OpenAPI (formerly known as Swagger) to your ASP.NET Core projects. OpenAPI is a specification for building APIs that allows you to describe the capabilities and characteristics of your API in a machine-readable format. It allows you to generate documentation, client libraries, and other artifacts for your API, making it easier to consume and use.
One common use case for Swashbuckle.AspNetCore is in the documentation of your API. By using the package, you can automatically generate API documentation for your API, including descriptions of the available endpoints, the parameters and responses for each endpoint, and more. This can be especially useful for developers consuming your API, as it provides them with a clear understanding of what your API is capable of and how to use it.
To illustrate the practical applications of Swashbuckle.AspNetCore, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that you want to document using OpenAPI. Using Swashbuckle.AspNetCore, you might configure the package as shown in the following code example:
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services) { services.AddControllers(); services.AddSwaggerGen(c => { c.SwaggerDoc("v1", new OpenApiInfo { Title = "My API", Version = "v1" }); }); } public void Configure(IApplicationBuilder app, IWebHostEnvironment env) { if (env.IsDevelopment()) { app.UseDeveloperExceptionPage(); } app.UseHttpsRedirection(); app.UseRouting(); app.UseAuthorization(); app.UseEndpoints(endpoints => { endpoints.MapControllers(); }); app.UseSwagger(); app.UseSwaggerUI(c => { c.SwaggerEndpoint("/swagger/v1/swagger.json", "My API V1"); }); }
In this example, we are using Swashbuckle.AspNetCore to configure OpenAPI for our API and generate a Swagger UI for our API documentation. The Swagger UI is a web-based interface that allows developers to interact with your API and see the available endpoints, parameters, and responses in a user-friendly way.
Overall, Swashbuckle.AspNetCore is a useful tool for adding OpenAPI support to your ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building APIs with the framework.
20. Simplifying HTTP Requests with RestEase
RestEase is a NuGet package that simplifies making HTTP requests in .NET projects. It allows you to define a simple, strongly-typed interface for a remote API, and then use that interface to make requests to the API in a type-safe way. This can be particularly useful in ASP.NET Core projects, where you might need to make HTTP requests to other APIs as part of your application’s functionality.
One common use case for RestEase is in the creation of client libraries for consuming RESTful APIs. For example, you might use RestEase to create a client library for an API that allows you to retrieve data from a database or other data store. By using RestEase, you can easily define the methods and parameters for each API endpoint and then use those methods to make HTTP requests to the API.
To illustrate the practical applications of RestEase, let’s consider a scenario where you want to create a client library for an API that allows you to retrieve data about users. You might define an interface for the API using RestEase, as shown in the following code example:
public interface IUserAPI { [Get("users/{id}")] Task<User> GetUserByIdAsync(int id); [Get("users")] Task<List<User>> GetAllUsersAsync(); }
In this example, we are using RestEase to define two methods for the IUserAPI interface: GetUserByIdAsync and GetAllUsersAsync. The GetUserByIdAsync method retrieves a single user by their ID, while the GetAllUsersAsync method retrieves a list of all users.
To use the IUserAPI interface to make HTTP requests to the API, you would first need to create an instance of the interface using the RestClient class:
var client = new RestClient("http://api.example.com"); var api = client.For<IUserAPI>();
Then, you can use the methods defined in the interface to make HTTP requests to the API. For example, to retrieve a list of all users, you would call the GetAllUsersAsync method like this:
var users = await api.GetAllUsersAsync();
Overall, RestEase is a powerful tool for simplifying HTTP requests in .NET projects, and is definitely worth considering when building solutions with ASP.NET Core or other .NET frameworks.
21. Adding Support for GraphQL with Hot Chocolate
GraphQL is a query language for your API that allows clients to request exactly the data they need, and nothing more. It is an alternative to traditional REST APIs, which often return a fixed set of data for each endpoint. By using GraphQL, you can give your clients more flexibility and control over the data they receive, making it easier for them to consume your API.
The Hot Chocolate NuGet package is a GraphQL server implementation for .NET that allows you to easily add GraphQL support to your ASP.NET Core projects. It provides a powerful set of tools for defining GraphQL schemas, resolvers, and more, making it easy to build GraphQL APIs with ASP.NET Core.
One common use case for Hot Chocolate is in the creation of APIs that serve complex data structures or allow clients to make complex queries. For example, you might use Hot Chocolate to build an API that allows clients to query a database using GraphQL and retrieve exactly the data they need. By using Hot Chocolate, you can easily define your GraphQL schema and resolvers, making it easy for clients to interact with your API.
To illustrate the practical applications of Hot Chocolate, let’s consider a scenario where you have a web API that allows clients to query a database using GraphQL. Using Hot Chocolate, you might define your GraphQL schema and resolvers as shown in the following code example:
public class Query { [UsePaging] [UseSelection] [UseFiltering] public IQueryable<Product> GetProducts([Service] DatabaseContext db) => db.Products; }
In this example, we are using Hot Chocolate to define a GraphQL query that allows clients to retrieve a list of products from the database. The query is decorated with several attributes (e.g., UsePaging, UseSelection, UseFiltering) that allow clients to specify how they want the data to be retrieved (e.g., which page of data they want, which fields they want to include, etc.).
Overall, Hot Chocolate is a powerful tool for adding GraphQL support to your ASP.NET Core projects, and is definitely worth considering when building APIs with the framework.
FAQs on 21 Top Essential NuGet Packages for ASP.NET Core (2023)
What is NuGet and why is it useful for ASP.NET Core development?
NuGet is a package manager for the .NET platform that makes it easy to install and update third-party libraries and tools in your ASP.NET Core projects. By using NuGet, you can easily add functionality to your projects without having to write code from scratch or spend time searching for and integrating different libraries. This can save you a lot of time and effort, and makes it easier to build complex applications using ASP.NET Core.
How do I use NuGet to install Packages in My ASP.NET Core Projects?
There are several ways to install NuGet packages in your ASP.NET Core projects. One common method is to use the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio. To do this, open the Solution Explorer in Visual Studio, right-click on your project, and select “Manage NuGet Packages.” From here, you can search for and install packages from the NuGet gallery. You can also install packages using the NuGet Package Manager Console, which provides a command-line interface for managing NuGet packages. To use the console, open it from the Tools menu in Visual Studio and enter the appropriate commands to install and manage packages.
What are Some Best Practices for Using NuGet packages in ASP.NET Core Projects?
There are several best practices to consider when using NuGet packages in ASP.NET Core projects:
- Keep your NuGet packages up to date to ensure that you have the latest bug fixes and features.
- Use version control to track changes to your NuGet packages and dependencies.
- Use the NuGet Package Manager to install and update packages, rather than manually adding packages to your project.
- Consider using a package management tool like NuGet Package Manager Extension (npm) or Yarn to manage your packages across multiple projects.
- Be mindful of dependencies when installing packages, as adding one package may bring in multiple dependencies that could potentially cause conflicts with other packages in your project.
What are Some Common Issues that can Arise when Using NuGet packages in ASP.NET Core projects?
Some common issues that can arise when using NuGet packages in ASP.NET Core projects include:
- Package conflicts: If you have multiple packages that depend on different versions of the same library, you may run into conflicts that cause your project to fail to build or run.
- Breaking changes: Some packages may introduce breaking changes in new versions that can cause issues in your project. It’s important to carefully review release notes and test new versions of packages before updating in production.
- Dependency hell: If you have a large number of packages with complex dependencies, it can be difficult to manage them all and keep track of which packages depend on which others. This can lead to issues like missing dependencies or version conflicts.
- Security vulnerabilities: Some NuGet packages may have security vulnerabilities that can leave your application vulnerable to attacks. It’s important to keep your packages up to date and use a tool like nuget.org to check for known vulnerabilities.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have covered 21 of the best Nuget packages for ASP.NET Core that can make your life easier and help you get the job done faster. Whether you need to map out dependencies, implement the mediator pattern, validate .NET objects, add structured logging, work with JSON data, or access a database, there is a Nuget package available to help you. We have also covered packages for adding single-page application support, enhancing security, adding localization support, protecting data, adding real-time messaging functionality, monitoring the health of your application, integrating with Azure, testing your application, improving performance, managing dependencies, adding support for OpenAPI (Swagger), simplifying HTTP requests, and adding support for GraphQL.
We hope this article has helped you discover some useful Nuget packages for your ASP.NET Core projects. With the right tools and libraries, you can build high-quality, efficient, and scalable applications quickly and easily.