.NET Core API Roadmap

1. Beginner Level
2. Intermediate Level
3. Advanced Level
1. Beginner Level
1.1 Introduction to .NET Core API
  • Setting Up Environment: Install .NET Core SDK, Visual Studio, and configure the development environment.
  • Understanding RESTful Principles: Learn about REST principles and HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
  • Creating First API: Create a basic API project using .NET Core and test endpoints with tools like Postman.
1.2 Controllers and Routing
  • Understanding Controllers: Set up controllers to handle HTTP requests.
  • Routing Basics: Learn about routing and attribute-based routing.
  • Model Binding: Understand how to bind data from requests to action parameters.
2. Intermediate Level
2.1 Dependency Injection and Services
  • Dependency Injection (DI): Learn about DI and register services in the DI container.
  • Service Lifetimes: Understand different lifetimes (Singleton, Scoped, Transient).
  • Using Services in Controllers: Inject services into controllers to access business logic.
2.2 Middleware and Pipeline
  • Understanding Middleware: Explore middleware and its role in request/response pipelines.
  • Adding Custom Middleware: Create custom middleware for logging, error handling, etc.
2.3 Data Access with Entity Framework Core
  • EF Core Basics: Use Entity Framework Core for data access.
  • Migrations and Seeding: Manage database changes and add initial data with migrations and seeding.
  • LINQ for Data Queries: Use LINQ for querying data from databases.
3. Advanced Level
3.1 Security in .NET Core APIs
  • Authentication with JWT: Set up JSON Web Token (JWT) authentication.
  • Authorization Policies: Implement role-based and policy-based authorization.
  • Protecting Sensitive Data: Use best practices for protecting sensitive information.
3.2 Caching and Performance Optimization
  • Implementing Caching: Set up caching to improve API response times.
  • Asynchronous Programming: Use async and await for non-blocking operations.
  • Monitoring and Logging: Use logging frameworks and monitoring tools for diagnostics.
3.3 API Documentation and Testing
  • OpenAPI/Swagger: Use Swagger to document API endpoints.
  • Unit and Integration Testing: Write tests to ensure code reliability.
  • Automated Testing with Postman/Newman: Use Postman and Newman for automated API testing.