Middleware in ASP.NET Core Explained

 In ASP.NET Core, middleware is a fundamental concept that plays a key role in handling HTTP requests and responses. It’s like a chain of components that process requests as they travel through the application pipeline.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.


💡 What is Middleware?

Middleware is a software component that gets added to the HTTP request pipeline in an ASP.NET Core application. Each middleware can:

Handle the request,

Pass the request to the next middleware,

Do something before or after the next component runs.

Imagine it like layers of an onion—each layer (middleware) wraps around the core processing logic.


🔄 Request Pipeline Flow

When a request comes in:

  • It enters the pipeline.
  • It passes through each middleware in the order they are added.
  • Each middleware can modify the request or response.
  • Eventually, a response is generated and flows back through the same middlewares.


🧱 Common Built-in Middleware Examples

UseRouting() – Finds the matching route.

UseAuthentication() – Checks if the user is authenticated.

UseAuthorization() – Verifies access permissions.

UseEndpoints() – Executes the matched endpoint (like a controller).


🛠 Example: Adding Middleware

Here’s how middleware is added in Program.cs:

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);

var app = builder.Build();

app.UseRouting();          // Adds routing

app.UseAuthorization();    // Adds authorization check

app.MapControllers();      // Maps to API controllers

app.Run();


✏️ Creating Custom Middleware

You can also create your own middleware:

public class CustomMiddleware

{

    private readonly RequestDelegate _next;

    public CustomMiddleware(RequestDelegate next)

    {

        _next = next;

    }

    public async Task InvokeAsync(HttpContext context)

    {

        // Do something before

        Console.WriteLine("Custom Middleware: Before");

        await _next(context);  // Call next middleware

        // Do something after

        Console.WriteLine("Custom Middleware: After");

    }

}

Register it in the pipeline:

app.UseMiddleware<CustomMiddleware>();


✅ Why Middleware is Important

Makes request handling modular and configurable

Enables cross-cutting concerns like logging, security, CORS, etc.

Helps you build clean, maintainable code


🔚 Conclusion

Middleware in ASP.NET Core is the backbone of the request pipeline. Understanding how it works helps you customize behavior, improve performance, and add features like logging, authentication, or error handling effectively.

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Read More:

ASP.NET Core vs .NET Framework

Integrating Angular with ASP.NET Core

Building Single Page Applications (SPA) with Blazor

Data Annotations and Model Validation

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