Creating a new ASP.NET Core application is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the .NET CLI (Command Line Interface) or Visual Studio. Below, we will explore both methods in detail.

Method 1: Using the .NET CLI

The .NET CLI is a cross-platform toolchain for developing, building, and running .NET applications. To create a new ASP.NET Core application using the CLI, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install the .NET SDK

Before you can create an ASP.NET Core application, ensure that you have the .NET SDK installed on your machine. You can download it from the official Microsoft .NET website.

Step 2: Open a Command Prompt or Terminal

Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and navigate to the directory where you want to create your new application.

Step 3: Create a New Project

Use the following command to create a new ASP.NET Core web application: 

        
            dotnet new webapp -n MyAspNetCoreApp

In this command:

  • webapp: Specifies the template for a Razor Pages web application.
  • -n MyAspNetCoreApp: Sets the name of the project to MyAspNetCoreApp.

Step 4: Navigate to the Project Directory

        
            cd MyAspNetCoreApp

Step 5: Run the Application

To run the application, use the following command: 

        
            dotnet run

After running the command, you should see output indicating that the application is running. You can access it in your web browser at https://localhost:5001 or http://localhost:5000.

Method 2: Using Visual Studio

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can create a new ASP.NET Core application using Visual Studio. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Visual Studio

Launch Visual Studio and select Create a new project.

Step 2: Choose Project Template

In the "Create a new project" dialog, search for ASP.NET Core Web App (for Razor Pages) or ASP.NET Core Web API (for APIs). Select the desired template and click Next.

Step 3: Configure Your Project

Enter the project name (e.g., MyAspNetCoreApp), choose the location, and click Create.

Step 4: Select Framework Version

In the next dialog, select the target framework (e.g., .NET 6.0 or .NET 7.0) and any additional options you want to enable (like HTTPS). Click Create to generate the project.

Step 5: Run the Application

Once the project is created, you can run it by clicking the green play button (IIS Express) in the toolbar or pressing F5. The application will launch in your default web browser.

Sample Code Overview

After creating a new ASP.NET Core application, you will find a basic structure that includes:

  • Program.cs: The entry point of the application.
  • Startup.cs: Configures services and the middleware pipeline
  • appsettings.json: Configuration settings for the application.
  • Pages/ or Controllers/: Contains Razor Pages or API controllers, respectively.
  • wwwroot/: The web root folder for static files like CSS, JavaScript, and images.

Conclusion

Creating a new ASP.NET Core application can be done easily using either the .NET CLI or Visual Studio. Both methods provide a solid foundation for building web applications, and developers can choose the approach that best fits their workflow. Once the application is set up, you can start adding features, building out your application logic, and deploying it to your desired environment.