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Sunday, 09 November 2025
We've journeyed through the hosting layer, middleware pipeline, and routing system. Now we arrive at the application layer—where your business logic lives. ASP.NET Core offers three primary programming models for building web applications:
Each model sits atop the same routing and endpoint infrastructure we explored in Part 4, but they provide different developer experiences and are optimized for different scenarios. In this part, we'll explore how each model processes requests and generates responses.
NOTE: This is part of my experiments with AI / a way to spend $1000 Calude Code Web credits. I've fed this a BUNCH of papers, my understanding, questions I had to generate this article. It's fun and fills a gap I haven't seen filled anywhere else.
graph LR
A[Minimal APIs] --> B[Razor Pages] --> C[MVC]
note1[Lightweight<br/>Simple APIs]
note2[Page-focused<br/>Web UI]
note3[Full-featured<br/>Complex apps]
A -.-> note1
B -.-> note2
C -.-> note3
When to use each:
All three share the same pipeline but differ in how they organize code and handle requests.
Minimal APIs were introduced in .NET 6 to simplify API development. They reduce ceremony and boilerplate, making it faster to build HTTP APIs.
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
// Add services
builder.Services.AddSingleton<IDataService, DataService>();
var app = builder.Build();
// Define endpoints
app.MapGet("/", () => "Hello World!");
app.MapGet("/users/{id}", (int id) => new User(id, "John Doe"));
app.MapPost("/users", (User user) =>
{
// Save user
return Results.Created($"/users/{user.Id}", user);
});
app.Run();
record User(int Id, string Name);
sequenceDiagram
participant Client
participant Routing
participant Binding as Parameter Binding
participant Filter as Endpoint Filters
participant Handler as Route Handler
participant Result as Result Execution
Client->>Routing: HTTP Request
Routing->>Routing: Match route pattern
Routing->>Binding: Extract parameters
Note over Binding: Bind from:<br/>- Route values<br/>- Query string<br/>- Headers<br/>- Body<br/>- Services
Binding->>Filter: Execute filters (if any)
Filter->>Handler: Invoke handler delegate
Note over Handler: Execute your code
Handler->>Result: Return IResult or object
Result->>Result: Execute result<br/>(JSON, file, redirect, etc.)
Result->>Client: HTTP Response
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
builder.Services.AddSingleton<IEmailService, EmailService>();
var app = builder.Build();
// Simple types from route
app.MapGet("/users/{id}", (int id) =>
new { userId = id });
// Multiple sources
app.MapGet("/search",
(string q, // From query string
int page = 1, // From query string with default
[FromHeader(Name = "X-API-Key")] string apiKey, // From header
[FromServices] IEmailService emailService) // From DI container
=>
{
return new
{
Query = q,
Page = page,
ApiKey = apiKey,
EmailServiceType = emailService.GetType().Name
};
});
// Complex type from body
app.MapPost("/users",
([FromBody] CreateUserRequest request,
[FromServices] IUserService userService,
HttpContext context) =>
{
var user = userService.CreateUser(request);
return Results.Created($"/users/{user.Id}", user);
});
// Custom binding with AsParameters
app.MapGet("/products", ([AsParameters] ProductQuery query) =>
{
// All parameters bundled in one object
return new { query.Category, query.MinPrice, query.MaxPrice };
});
app.Run();
record CreateUserRequest(string Name, string Email);
// AsParameters allows grouping parameters
record ProductQuery(string? Category, decimal MinPrice = 0, decimal MaxPrice = 1000);
interface IEmailService { }
class EmailService : IEmailService { }
interface IUserService
{
User CreateUser(CreateUserRequest request);
}
class User
{
public int Id { get; set; }
}
Binding sources visualization:
graph TD
Request[HTTP Request] --> Route[Route Values<br/>users/123]
Request --> Query[Query String<br/>?page=1&size=10]
Request --> Headers[Headers<br/>X-API-Key: abc123]
Request --> Body[Request Body<br/>JSON/XML]
Request --> Services[DI Container<br/>Registered Services]
Route --> Handler[Handler Method]
Query --> Handler
Headers --> Handler
Body --> Handler
Services --> Handler
style Request stroke:#ef4444,stroke-width:3px
style Handler stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:3px
Minimal APIs support multiple response types:
var app = WebApplication.CreateBuilder().Build();
// 1. Direct return - serialized as JSON
app.MapGet("/users/{id}", (int id) =>
new User(id, "John Doe", "john@example.com"));
// 2. IResult - typed results
app.MapGet("/ok", () => Results.Ok(new { status = "OK" }));
app.MapGet("/created", () => Results.Created("/users/1", new User(1, "Jane", "jane@example.com")));
app.MapGet("/notfound", () => Results.NotFound());
app.MapGet("/redirect", () => Results.Redirect("/new-location"));
app.MapGet("/file", () => Results.File("file.pdf", "application/pdf"));
// 3. Typed results with Results<T1, T2, ...>
app.MapGet("/typed/{id}", Results<Ok<User>, NotFound> (int id) =>
{
var user = GetUser(id);
return user != null
? TypedResults.Ok(user)
: TypedResults.NotFound();
});
// 4. Custom response
app.MapGet("/custom", (HttpContext context) =>
{
context.Response.StatusCode = 200;
context.Response.Headers["X-Custom-Header"] = "Value";
return context.Response.WriteAsync("Custom response");
});
// 5. Stream response
app.MapGet("/stream", async (HttpContext context) =>
{
context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
await context.Response.StartAsync();
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{
await context.Response.WriteAsync($"Line {i}\n");
await context.Response.Body.FlushAsync();
await Task.Delay(100);
}
});
app.Run();
record User(int Id, string Name, string Email);
User? GetUser(int id) => id == 1 ? new User(1, "John", "john@example.com") : null;
Filters allow you to execute code before and after the handler:
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var app = builder.Build();
// Global filter using middleware
app.Use(async (context, next) =>
{
Console.WriteLine($"Before: {context.Request.Path}");
await next(context);
Console.WriteLine($"After: {context.Response.StatusCode}");
});
// Endpoint-specific filter
app.MapGet("/filtered", () => "Hello")
.AddEndpointFilter(async (context, next) =>
{
Console.WriteLine("Before handler");
var result = await next(context);
Console.WriteLine("After handler");
return result;
});
// Filter with logic
app.MapGet("/validated", (int age) => $"Age: {age}")
.AddEndpointFilter(async (context, next) =>
{
var age = context.GetArgument<int>(0);
if (age < 0)
{
return Results.BadRequest("Age cannot be negative");
}
return await next(context);
});
// Reusable filter
app.MapGet("/timed", () =>
{
Thread.Sleep(100);
return "Done";
})
.AddEndpointFilter<TimingFilter>();
app.Run();
// Reusable filter class
class TimingFilter : IEndpointFilter
{
private readonly ILogger<TimingFilter> _logger;
public TimingFilter(ILogger<TimingFilter> logger)
{
_logger = logger;
}
public async ValueTask<object?> InvokeAsync(
EndpointFilterInvocationContext context,
EndpointFilterDelegate next)
{
var sw = Stopwatch.StartNew();
var result = await next(context);
sw.Stop();
_logger.LogInformation(
"Endpoint {Endpoint} took {Elapsed}ms",
context.HttpContext.Request.Path,
sw.ElapsedMilliseconds);
return result;
}
}
Filter pipeline:
graph LR
A[Request] --> B[Filter 1 Before]
B --> C[Filter 2 Before]
C --> D[Handler]
D --> E[Filter 2 After]
E --> F[Filter 1 After]
F --> G[Response]
Razor Pages provides a page-focused model that makes building web UI simpler than MVC for many scenarios.
Pages/
_ViewImports.cshtml
_ViewStart.cshtml
Index.cshtml
Index.cshtml.cs
Products/
List.cshtml
List.cshtml.cs
Details.cshtml
Details.cshtml.cs
Pages/Index.cshtml:
@page
@model IndexModel
<h1>Welcome</h1>
<p>Current time: @Model.CurrentTime</p>
<form method="post">
<input type="text" asp-for="Name" />
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>
@if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(Model.Message))
{
<p>@Model.Message</p>
}
Pages/Index.cshtml.cs:
public class IndexModel : PageModel
{
[BindProperty]
public string Name { get; set; } = "";
public string CurrentTime { get; set; } = "";
public string Message { get; set; } = "";
public void OnGet()
{
CurrentTime = DateTime.Now.ToString("HH:mm:ss");
}
public IActionResult OnPost()
{
if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Name))
{
Message = "Please enter a name";
return Page();
}
Message = $"Hello, {Name}!";
return Page();
}
}
sequenceDiagram
participant Client
participant Routing
participant PageModel as Page Model
participant Binding as Model Binding
participant Handler as Handler Method
participant Filters as Page Filters
participant View as Razor View
Client->>Routing: GET /products/details?id=123
Routing->>PageModel: Create PageModel instance
PageModel->>Binding: Bind parameters
Note over Binding: Bind from:<br/>- Route data<br/>- Query string<br/>- Form data<br/>- Services
Binding->>Filters: Execute filters (OnPageHandlerExecuting)
Filters->>Handler: Call OnGet/OnPost
Handler->>Handler: Execute logic<br/>Load data
Handler->>Filters: Return IActionResult
Filters->>Filters: OnPageHandlerExecuted
Filters->>View: Render Razor view
View->>View: Execute Razor syntax<br/>Generate HTML
View->>Client: HTML Response
// Pages/Products/Details.cshtml.cs
@page "{id:int}"
@model DetailsModel
public class DetailsModel : PageModel
{
private readonly IProductService _productService;
public DetailsModel(IProductService productService)
{
_productService = productService;
}
public Product? Product { get; set; }
public async Task<IActionResult> OnGetAsync(int id)
{
Product = await _productService.GetProductAsync(id);
if (Product == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Page();
}
}
URL: /products/details/123 → id = 123
public class ContactModel : PageModel
{
[BindProperty]
public ContactForm Form { get; set; } = new();
public string Message { get; set; } = "";
// Default GET handler
public void OnGet()
{
}
// Default POST handler
public IActionResult OnPost()
{
if (!ModelState.IsValid)
{
return Page();
}
// Send email
Message = "Message sent!";
return Page();
}
// Named handler: POST with ?handler=subscribe
public IActionResult OnPostSubscribe(string email)
{
// Subscribe to newsletter
Message = $"Subscribed: {email}";
return Page();
}
// Named handler: POST with ?handler=unsubscribe
public IActionResult OnPostUnsubscribe(string email)
{
// Unsubscribe
Message = $"Unsubscribed: {email}";
return Page();
}
}
public class ContactForm
{
[Required]
public string Name { get; set; } = "";
[Required, EmailAddress]
public string Email { get; set; } = "";
[Required]
public string Message { get; set; } = "";
}
Usage in Razor:
@page
@model ContactModel
<!-- Default handler (OnPost) -->
<form method="post">
<input asp-for="Form.Name" />
<input asp-for="Form.Email" />
<textarea asp-for="Form.Message"></textarea>
<button type="submit">Send</button>
</form>
<!-- Named handler (OnPostSubscribe) -->
<form method="post" asp-page-handler="Subscribe">
<input type="email" name="email" />
<button type="submit">Subscribe</button>
</form>
<!-- Named handler (OnPostUnsubscribe) -->
<form method="post" asp-page-handler="Unsubscribe">
<input type="email" name="email" />
<button type="submit">Unsubscribe</button>
</form>
// Global page filter
public class LoggingPageFilter : IPageFilter
{
private readonly ILogger<LoggingPageFilter> _logger;
public LoggingPageFilter(ILogger<LoggingPageFilter> logger)
{
_logger = logger;
}
public void OnPageHandlerSelected(PageHandlerSelectedContext context)
{
_logger.LogInformation(
"Page handler selected: {HandlerMethod}",
context.HandlerMethod?.Name);
}
public void OnPageHandlerExecuting(PageHandlerExecutingContext context)
{
_logger.LogInformation("Page handler executing");
}
public void OnPageHandlerExecuted(PageHandlerExecutedContext context)
{
_logger.LogInformation(
"Page handler executed, result: {Result}",
context.Result?.GetType().Name);
}
}
// Register globally
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
builder.Services.AddRazorPages(options =>
{
options.Conventions.ConfigureFilter(new LoggingPageFilter(
LoggerFactory.Create(b => b.AddConsole()).CreateLogger<LoggingPageFilter>()
));
});
var app = builder.Build();
MVC (Model-View-Controller) provides a structured pattern for building complex applications with clear separation of concerns.
Controllers/
HomeController.cs
ProductsController.cs
ApiController.cs
Models/
Product.cs
CreateProductViewModel.cs
Views/
Home/
Index.cshtml
About.cshtml
Products/
List.cshtml
Details.cshtml
Shared/
_Layout.cshtml
_ValidationScriptsPartial.cshtml
sequenceDiagram
participant Client
participant Routing
participant Controller as Controller Factory
participant Filters
participant ModelBinding as Model Binding
participant Action as Action Method
participant Result as Action Result
participant View
Client->>Routing: GET /products/details/123
Routing->>Controller: Create controller instance
Controller->>Filters: Authorization filters
alt Not authorized
Filters-->>Client: 401/403
end
Filters->>Filters: Resource filters
Filters->>ModelBinding: Bind parameters
Note over ModelBinding: Bind from:<br/>- Route values<br/>- Query string<br/>- Form data<br/>- Body<br/>- Services
ModelBinding->>Filters: Action filters (OnActionExecuting)
Filters->>Action: Invoke action method
Action->>Action: Execute business logic
Action->>Result: Return IActionResult
Result->>Filters: Action filters (OnActionExecuted)
Filters->>Filters: Result filters (OnResultExecuting)
Filters->>View: Execute result (render view)
View->>Filters: Result filters (OnResultExecuted)
Filters->>Filters: Resource filters (OnResourceExecuted)
Filters->>Client: HTML/JSON Response
public class ProductsController : Controller
{
private readonly IProductService _productService;
private readonly ILogger<ProductsController> _logger;
public ProductsController(
IProductService productService,
ILogger<ProductsController> logger)
{
_productService = productService;
_logger = logger;
}
// GET: /products
public async Task<IActionResult> Index()
{
var products = await _productService.GetAllProductsAsync();
return View(products);
}
// GET: /products/details/5
public async Task<IActionResult> Details(int id)
{
var product = await _productService.GetProductAsync(id);
if (product == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return View(product);
}
// GET: /products/create
public IActionResult Create()
{
return View();
}
// POST: /products/create
[HttpPost]
[ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
public async Task<IActionResult> Create(CreateProductViewModel model)
{
if (!ModelState.IsValid)
{
return View(model);
}
var product = await _productService.CreateProductAsync(model);
return RedirectToAction(nameof(Details), new { id = product.Id });
}
// DELETE: /products/delete/5
[HttpPost]
[ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
public async Task<IActionResult> Delete(int id)
{
await _productService.DeleteProductAsync(id);
return RedirectToAction(nameof(Index));
}
}
public class ResultsController : Controller
{
// View result
public IActionResult Index()
{
return View(); // Views/Results/Index.cshtml
}
// View with model
public IActionResult Details(int id)
{
var model = new Product { Id = id, Name = "Product" };
return View(model);
}
// Specific view
public IActionResult Custom()
{
return View("CustomViewName");
}
// JSON result
public IActionResult GetJson()
{
return Json(new { id = 1, name = "Product" });
}
// Redirect
public IActionResult RedirectSample()
{
return RedirectToAction("Index", "Home");
}
// Redirect to route
public IActionResult RedirectToRouteSample()
{
return RedirectToRoute("Default", new { controller = "Home", action = "Index" });
}
// Content result
public IActionResult GetText()
{
return Content("Plain text response", "text/plain");
}
// File result
public IActionResult DownloadFile()
{
var bytes = System.IO.File.ReadAllBytes("file.pdf");
return File(bytes, "application/pdf", "download.pdf");
}
// Status code result
public IActionResult StatusCodeSample()
{
return StatusCode(503); // Service Unavailable
}
// Not found
public IActionResult NotFoundSample()
{
return NotFound(); // 404
}
// Bad request
public IActionResult BadRequestSample()
{
return BadRequest("Invalid input"); // 400
}
// Unauthorized
public IActionResult UnauthorizedSample()
{
return Unauthorized(); // 401
}
}
public class BindingController : Controller
{
// Simple parameter from route
// Route: products/{id}
public IActionResult Get(int id)
{
return Ok(new { id });
}
// Multiple parameters from route and query
// Route: products/{id}?includeDetails=true
public IActionResult GetWithDetails(int id, bool includeDetails = false)
{
return Ok(new { id, includeDetails });
}
// Complex type from form
[HttpPost]
public IActionResult CreateFromForm([FromForm] Product product)
{
return Ok(product);
}
// Complex type from body (JSON)
[HttpPost]
public IActionResult CreateFromBody([FromBody] Product product)
{
return Ok(product);
}
// From header
public IActionResult HeaderSample([FromHeader(Name = "X-API-Key")] string apiKey)
{
return Ok(new { apiKey });
}
// From services
public IActionResult ServiceSample([FromServices] IProductService productService)
{
var count = productService.GetCount();
return Ok(new { count });
}
// Custom binding
public IActionResult CustomBinding([ModelBinder(typeof(CustomBinder))] CustomModel model)
{
return Ok(model);
}
}
// Custom model binder
public class CustomBinder : IModelBinder
{
public Task BindModelAsync(ModelBindingContext bindingContext)
{
var value = bindingContext.ValueProvider.GetValue("custom").FirstValue;
var model = new CustomModel { Value = value?.ToUpper() ?? "" };
bindingContext.Result = ModelBindingResult.Success(model);
return Task.CompletedTask;
}
}
public class CustomModel
{
public string Value { get; set; } = "";
}
Filters execute code at different points in the request pipeline:
graph TD
A[Request] --> B[Authorization Filters]
B --> C{Authorized?}
C -->|No| D[Challenge Result]
C -->|Yes| E[Resource Filters<br/>OnResourceExecuting]
E --> F[Model Binding]
F --> G[Action Filters<br/>OnActionExecuting]
G --> H[Action Method]
H --> I[Action Filters<br/>OnActionExecuted]
I --> J[Exception Filters<br/>if exception]
J --> K[Result Filters<br/>OnResultExecuting]
K --> L[Action Result]
L --> M[Result Filters<br/>OnResultExecuted]
M --> N[Resource Filters<br/>OnResourceExecuted]
N --> O[Response]
D --> O
style H stroke:#ef4444,stroke-width:3px
style L stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:3px
Filter types:
// 1. Authorization filter
public class CustomAuthorizeFilter : IAuthorizationFilter
{
public void OnAuthorization(AuthorizationFilterContext context)
{
if (!context.HttpContext.User.Identity?.IsAuthenticated ?? true)
{
context.Result = new UnauthorizedResult();
}
}
}
// 2. Resource filter
public class CacheResourceFilter : IResourceFilter
{
private static readonly Dictionary<string, object> _cache = new();
public void OnResourceExecuting(ResourceExecutingContext context)
{
var cacheKey = context.HttpContext.Request.Path;
if (_cache.TryGetValue(cacheKey, out var cachedResult))
{
context.Result = (IActionResult)cachedResult;
// Short-circuit the pipeline
}
}
public void OnResourceExecuted(ResourceExecutedContext context)
{
var cacheKey = context.HttpContext.Request.Path;
if (context.Result != null)
{
_cache[cacheKey] = context.Result;
}
}
}
// 3. Action filter
public class LogActionFilter : IActionFilter
{
private readonly ILogger<LogActionFilter> _logger;
public LogActionFilter(ILogger<LogActionFilter> logger)
{
_logger = logger;
}
public void OnActionExecuting(ActionExecutingContext context)
{
_logger.LogInformation(
"Executing action {Action} with arguments: {Arguments}",
context.ActionDescriptor.DisplayName,
string.Join(", ", context.ActionArguments.Select(kvp => $"{kvp.Key}={kvp.Value}")));
}
public void OnActionExecuted(ActionExecutedContext context)
{
_logger.LogInformation(
"Executed action {Action}, result: {Result}",
context.ActionDescriptor.DisplayName,
context.Result?.GetType().Name);
}
}
// 4. Exception filter
public class CustomExceptionFilter : IExceptionFilter
{
public void OnException(ExceptionContext context)
{
if (context.Exception is ArgumentException)
{
context.Result = new BadRequestObjectResult(new
{
error = context.Exception.Message
});
context.ExceptionHandled = true;
}
}
}
// 5. Result filter
public class HeaderResultFilter : IResultFilter
{
public void OnResultExecuting(ResultExecutingContext context)
{
context.HttpContext.Response.Headers["X-Custom-Header"] = "Value";
}
public void OnResultExecuted(ResultExecutedContext context)
{
// After result execution
}
}
// Register filters
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews(options =>
{
// Global filters
options.Filters.Add<LogActionFilter>();
options.Filters.Add<CustomExceptionFilter>();
});
// Or apply to specific controllers/actions
[ServiceFilter(typeof(LogActionFilter))]
public class ProductsController : Controller
{
[TypeFilter(typeof(CacheResourceFilter))]
public IActionResult Index()
{
return View();
}
}
[ApiController]
[Route("api/[controller]")]
public class ProductsApiController : ControllerBase
{
private readonly IProductService _productService;
public ProductsApiController(IProductService productService)
{
_productService = productService;
}
// GET: api/products
[HttpGet]
[ProducesResponseType(typeof(IEnumerable<Product>), 200)]
public async Task<ActionResult<IEnumerable<Product>>> GetProducts()
{
var products = await _productService.GetAllProductsAsync();
return Ok(products);
}
// GET: api/products/5
[HttpGet("{id}")]
[ProducesResponseType(typeof(Product), 200)]
[ProducesResponseType(404)]
public async Task<ActionResult<Product>> GetProduct(int id)
{
var product = await _productService.GetProductAsync(id);
if (product == null)
{
return NotFound();
}
return Ok(product);
}
// POST: api/products
[HttpPost]
[ProducesResponseType(typeof(Product), 201)]
[ProducesResponseType(400)]
public async Task<ActionResult<Product>> CreateProduct(CreateProductDto dto)
{
if (!ModelState.IsValid)
{
return BadRequest(ModelState);
}
var product = await _productService.CreateProductAsync(dto);
return CreatedAtAction(nameof(GetProduct), new { id = product.Id }, product);
}
// PUT: api/products/5
[HttpPut("{id}")]
[ProducesResponseType(204)]
[ProducesResponseType(400)]
[ProducesResponseType(404)]
public async Task<IActionResult> UpdateProduct(int id, UpdateProductDto dto)
{
if (id != dto.Id)
{
return BadRequest();
}
var exists = await _productService.ExistsAsync(id);
if (!exists)
{
return NotFound();
}
await _productService.UpdateProductAsync(dto);
return NoContent();
}
// DELETE: api/products/5
[HttpDelete("{id}")]
[ProducesResponseType(204)]
[ProducesResponseType(404)]
public async Task<IActionResult> DeleteProduct(int id)
{
var exists = await _productService.ExistsAsync(id);
if (!exists)
{
return NotFound();
}
await _productService.DeleteProductAsync(id);
return NoContent();
}
}
graph TB
subgraph "Minimal APIs"
MA1[Direct Route Registration]
MA2[Lambda Handlers]
MA3[Endpoint Filters]
MA4[Simple Binding]
MA1 --> MA2
MA2 --> MA3
MA3 --> MA4
end
subgraph "Razor Pages"
RP1[Page-Based Routing]
RP2[PageModel Handlers]
RP3[Page Filters]
RP4[Razor View Engine]
RP1 --> RP2
RP2 --> RP3
RP3 --> RP4
end
subgraph "MVC"
MVC1[Controller-Based Routing]
MVC2[Action Methods]
MVC3[Multiple Filter Types]
MVC4[View/JSON Results]
MVC1 --> MVC2
MVC2 --> MVC3
MVC3 --> MVC4
end
style MA1 stroke:#10b981,stroke-width:3px
style RP1 stroke:#ef4444,stroke-width:3px
style MVC1 stroke:#6366f1,stroke-width:3px
| Feature | Minimal APIs | Razor Pages | MVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| Boilerplate | Minimal | Moderate | Significant |
| Best for | APIs, microservices | Page-focused web apps | Complex applications |
| Routing | Inline | Convention + attributes | Convention + attributes |
| Separation of concerns | Low | Medium | High |
| Testability | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Performance | Fastest | Fast | Fast |
| Learning curve | Easiest | Easy | Moderate |
Each programming model provides a different developer experience while leveraging the same powerful ASP.NET Core pipeline. Understanding all three helps you choose the right tool for each scenario.
© 2025 Scott Galloway — Unlicense — All content and source code on this site is free to use, copy, modify, and sell.