.NET Core in Action

Introduction

The book ".NET Core in Action" (original title .NET Core in Action) by Dustin Metzgar was published in 2018 and became one of the first comprehensive guides to the then-new .NET Core platform. Unlike the classic .NET Framework, .NET Core offers modularity, cross-platform capabilities, and high performance. The 328-page book is aimed at developers already familiar with C# and helps them quickly transition from traditional .NET to modern .NET Core.

The publication is not a reference guide to all APIs—it is a practical guide that leads the reader from installing the SDK to deploying a finished application in the cloud. The author focuses on real-world tasks: creating web services, working with databases, configuration, logging, and testing.

What the book is about

The book consists of 14 chapters divided into four parts:

• Part 1. Getting to Know .NET Core — installation, project structure, build system, differences from .NET Framework.
• Part 2. Building Applications — working with ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework Core, configuration, dependency injection, logging.
• Part 3. Advanced Topics — testing, working with Docker, deployment to Azure, performance.
• Part 4. Ecosystem — overview of NuGet, community, tools, and the future of the platform.

Each chapter contains code examples in C# that can be run on Windows, macOS, or Linux. The author sequentially demonstrates how to create a web application, add a database to it, configure authentication, and publish it to the cloud.

Who this book is for

The book is intended for C# developers who want to master .NET Core. It will be useful for:

• Those who have worked with .NET Framework and want to switch to the cross-platform version.
• Beginner backend developers familiar with the basics of C#.
• Students and teachers studying modern Microsoft technologies.
• Developers interested in containerization and cloud deployments.

Basic knowledge of C# and an understanding of OOP principles are recommended for reading. Familiarity with previous versions of .NET is not required but will speed up comprehension.

What the reader will learn

After reading the book, you will be able to:

• Install and configure the .NET Core SDK on any platform.
• Create projects using the command line (CLI).
• Develop web applications using ASP.NET Core MVC.
• Work with databases via Entity Framework Core.
• Configure configuration, logging, and dependency injection.
• Write unit tests with xUnit and Moq.
• Package applications into Docker containers.
• Deploy applications to Microsoft Azure.
• Optimize performance and manage memory.
• Use NuGet for dependency management.

Strengths

The book stands out favorably from many other publications on .NET Core:

• Practical focus. Each chapter contains ready-made examples that can be immediately applied in practice.
• Emphasis on cross-platform capabilities. The author shows how to write code that works identically on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Modern tools. Docker, Azure, CI/CD are covered—things that are actually used in the industry.
• Clear structure. The book is not overloaded with theory; each topic is covered just enough for the reader to start using it in practice.
• Accessible language. Dustin Metzgar writes clearly, without excessive academicism, with examples from real-world experience.

Who it is recommended for

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to quickly enter the world of .NET Core and start building modern cross-platform applications. It is ideal for