What are the different types of middleware in ASP.NET Core?

What are the different types of middleware in ASP.NET Core?

In ASP.NET Core, middleware is software that's assembled into an application pipeline to handle requests and responses. The main types include:

1. Authentication Middleware: Handles user authentication.
2. Authorization Middleware: Manages user permissions.
3. Routing Middleware: Directs requests to the appropriate endpoint.
4. Static Files Middleware: Serves static files like images and CSS.
5. Session Middleware: Manages user sessions.
6. Custom Middleware: User-defined middleware for specific needs.

Can you explain how authentication middleware works?

Authentication middleware verifies the identity of a user. It checks credentials like tokens or cookies and sets the user principal in the context if valid. This allows subsequent middleware to know who the user is and apply appropriate authorization.

What is the order of middleware execution?

Middleware is executed in the order it is registered in the Configure method of Startup.cs. Each piece of middleware can either pass the request to the next middleware or short-circuit the pipeline by sending a response.

Can I create my own custom middleware?

Yes, you can create custom middleware by defining a class with a Invoke or InvokeAsync method. You can then register it in the Configure method to add your functionality to the pipeline.