What are attributes in ASP.NET and how do I use them?

What are attributes in ASP.NET and how do I use them?

Attributes in ASP.NET are special tags that provide metadata about classes, methods, or properties. They can control behavior, enforce rules, or provide additional information.

Can you give me an example of how to use an attribute?

Sure! For instance, the [HttpGet] attribute is used to specify that a method should respond to HTTP GET requests. You can apply it to a controller action like this:

[HttpGet]
public IActionResult GetData() {
    // Your code here
}

Are there any built-in attributes I should know about?

Yes, some common built-in attributes include [HttpGet], [HttpPost], [Route], and [Authorize]. Each serves a specific purpose in controlling the behavior of your application.

How can I create a custom attribute?

To create a custom attribute, define a class that inherits from System.Attribute. You can then add properties to your attribute class to store data. Here's a simple example:

[AttributeUsage(AttributeTargets.Class)]
public class MyCustomAttribute : Attribute {
    public string Description { get; }
    public MyCustomAttribute(string description) {
        Description = description;
    }
}