What is the difference between ASP.NET routing and URL rewriting?

What is the difference between ASP.NET routing and URL rewriting?

ASP.NET routing is a feature that maps incoming requests to specific handlers based on the URL pattern, while URL rewriting modifies the URL before it reaches the server, often for SEO purposes.

Can you give me an example of how routing works in ASP.NET?

Sure! In ASP.NET, you can define routes in the RouteConfig file. For example, a route like routes.MapRoute("Default", "{controller}/{action}/{id}"); maps URLs to specific controller actions.

What are the benefits of using routing over URL rewriting?

Routing provides a cleaner URL structure and better separation of concerns, making it easier to manage and maintain your application. URL rewriting can be useful for legacy URLs but may complicate routing logic.

Are there any performance implications when using routing?

Yes, routing can introduce some overhead since the framework needs to match the incoming URL against defined routes. However, this is generally minimal and outweighed by the benefits of clean URLs.