Introduction of ASP.NET Core 6 Filters:
Welcome to our complete guide to becoming an expert in ASP.NET Core 6 filters. Filters are like versatile tools that let you add important features to your ASP.NET Core applications, such as keeping track of actions, storing data temporarily, making sure users are who they say they are, and controlling who can do what.
In this guide, we’ll take a close look at the different kinds of filters you can use in ASP.NET Core 6 and figure out the best ways to use them in your own web applications. We’ll give you clear examples of code and show you the most effective methods, so you’ll really understand how filters function and how to use them to make your ASP.NET Core applications more secure, faster, and easier to maintain.
Understanding in ASP.NET Core 6 Filters:
In ASP.NET Core 6, filters are like tools you can use to handle various tasks in your application’s request process. They let you do things before or after an action is performed, like checking permissions or managing errors. ASP.NET Core 6 gives you different types of filters built-in, such as action filters, authorization filters, exception filters, resource filters, and result filters. Let’s take a closer look at each type of filter and see how they work.
ASP.NET Core 6 Action Filters
Action filters are tools that let you do things before or after an action happens in a controller. They’re handy for tasks like logging, checking if data is valid, or making sure a user is authenticated before an action runs. These filters follow a specific pattern called the IActionFilter interface, which has two methods: OnActionExecuting and OnActionExecuted. The first one runs before the action, and the second runs after it’s done.

In this example, we’ve made a special action filter named LogActionFilter using the IActionFilter interface. When an action starts, OnActionExecuting logs a message, and when it finishes, OnActionExecuted logs another message. To use this filter, we attach the LogActionFilter attribute to the HomeController class, which makes sure it works with every action method in that controller.
ASP.NET Core 6 Authorization Filters
Authorization filters are like gatekeepers for your action methods or controllers. They help you set rules about who can access certain parts of your app based on who the user is or what role they have. These filters follow the IAuthorizationFilter interface and have a method called OnAuthorization. This method runs before an action method starts, giving you a chance to check if the user is authorized to proceed.

In this example, we’ve made a special authorization filter named AuthorizeAdminFilter using the IAuthorizationFilter interface. When an action starts, the OnAuthorization method checks if the current user is an “Admin”. If not, it stops them from accessing the action method by returning a “Forbidden” message. To enforce this filter, we add the AuthorizeAdminFilter attribute to the AdminController class, making sure only users in the “Admin” role can use any action methods in that controller.
ASP.NET Core 6 Exception Filters
Exception filters are like safety nets in ASP.NET Core applications. They catch any errors that happen while action methods or middleware are running. With them, you can keep all your error-handling logic in one place and deal with issues in a consistent way throughout your app. These filters follow the IExceptionFilter interface and use the OnException method. This method kicks in whenever there’s an error that hasn’t been handled during the execution of an action method or middleware.

In this example, we’ve crafted a special exception filter named GlobalExceptionHandler using the IExceptionFilter interface. When something goes wrong, the OnException method kicks in, logging the error message and sending back a StatusCodeResult with a code of 500, signaling an internal server hiccup. To make sure every unhandled exception gets caught, we attach the GlobalExceptionHandler attribute to the entire application, ensuring consistent error handling across the board.
ASP.NET Core 6 Resource Filters
Resource filters in ASP.NET Core applications are like helpers that assist before and after action methods or middleware run. They’re handy for tasks like cleaning up or getting things ready. These filters follow the IResourceFilter interface and use two methods: OnResourceExecuting and OnResourceExecuted. The first method runs before the action method or middleware starts, while the second one runs after it’s done.

In this example, we’ve designed a special resource filter named LogResourceFilter using the IResourceFilter interface. Before any action method or middleware starts, the OnResourceExecuting method logs a message, and after it’s done, the OnResourceExecuted method logs another message. To use this filter, we attach the LogResourceFilter attribute to the HomeController class, ensuring it works with all action methods in that controller.
Conclusion:
Filters are a powerful feature in ASP.NET Core 6 that allow developers to implement cross-cutting concerns effectively, enhancing the functionality, security, and performance of web applications. By leveraging various types of filters such as action filters, authorization filters, exception filters, and resource filters, developers can modularize and encapsulate common functionalities, leading to cleaner and more maintainable code.
Throughout this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored the different types of filters available in ASP.NET Core 6 and provided detailed code examples to demonstrate their usage. Additionally, we’ve highlighted best practices and considerations for implementing filters in your ASP.NET Core applications.
As you continue your journey with ASP.NET Core 6 development, mastering filters will undoubtedly be a valuable skill. Whether you’re implementing logging, authentication, or exception handling, filters provide a flexible and powerful way to address cross-cutting concerns in your applications.
We hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively utilize filters in your ASP.NET Core 6 projects. Remember to consider SEO elements such as SEO titles, meta descriptions, and proper URL structures to ensure your content is discoverable and valuable to your audience.
Happy coding and filtering in ASP.NET Core 6!