Implementing API Versioning in ASP.NET Core Web API
Introduction
As APIs evolve, changes and improvements can lead to breaking changes. API versioning helps maintain backward compatibility while enabling new features. ASP.NET Core provides built-in support for API versioning, making it easy to maintain different API versions efficiently.
In this blog post, I discuss different ways to implement API versioning in ASP.NET Core Web API. Let's start with the first and most important part.
Setting Up API Versioning in ASP.NET Core
To get started, let's first install the required NuGet package:
Once installed, configure API versioning in the Program.cs file:
Implementing Versioned Controllers
Now, let’s create two versions of a ProductsController.
Version 1 (v1) of ProductsController
public class Test
Version 2 (v2) of ProductsController with Additional Data
Testing API Versioning
You can test the API using the following URLs:
- Version 1:
GET /api/v1/products
- Version 2:
GET /api/v2/products
Each version returns different responses, ensuring backward compatibility while allowing newer features.
Alternative Versioning Strategies
Besides URL-based versioning, ASP.NET Core supports other approaches:
1. Query String Versioning
Modify Program.cs
to use query string versioning:
Call API using:
2. Header-Based Versioning
Modify Program.cs
to use custom headers:
Set header when calling the API:
Conclusion
API versioning is crucial for maintaining backward compatibility while allowing improvements in newer versions. ASP.NET Core makes it easy to implement versioning using URL segments, query strings, or headers. By following this approach, you ensure a smooth transition for API consumers as your application evolves.