Published: February 14, 2025 | Reading Time: 8 minutes
Dot NET Core is a free and open-source framework by Microsoft for building apps. It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it great for cross-platform development. It is fast, lightweight, and modular, so developers can use only the parts they need. Dot NET Core supports web apps, microservices, cloud applications, and more. It also works well with Docker and Kubernetes for modern deployments. Unlike the old Dot NET Framework, it does not depend on Windows. Because of its high performance and flexibility, many Indian developers and companies use Dot NET Core for modern software projects.
Dot NET Core comes with several powerful characteristics that make it a preferred choice for modern application development. Because of its versatility it allows developers to build high-performance applications for web, cloud, and microservices. Here are some of the characteristics that can be part of net core interview questions for freshers:
When choosing between Dot NET Core and Dot NET Framework, developers often get confused about which one suits their needs. Both have their strengths, but they are designed for different purposes. Understanding their differences helps in selecting the right technology for your project and when dealing with net core questions freshers should be aware of these:
| Dot NET Core | Dot NET Framework |
|---|---|
| Works across multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. | Limited to Windows-based applications and environments. |
| Designed for high performance, lightweight, and optimized for cloud-based and microservices architecture. | Heavier and more resource-intensive, making it suitable for large-scale enterprise applications. |
| Supports self-contained deployment, allowing applications to run without requiring full framework installation. | Requires the complete Dot NET Framework to be installed on the Windows system. |
| Fully open-source, with active community contributions and Microsoft support. | Partially open-source, but primarily controlled and maintained by Microsoft. |
| Best suited for modern web applications, cloud computing, and containerized environments. | Ideal for legacy applications and large-scale enterprise software that depend on Windows. |
| Actively developed and evolving as the future of Dot NET technology. | Receiving fewer updates as Microsoft gradually shifts focus towards Dot NET Core. |
| Modular and supports new APIs, making it more flexible for developers. | Less modular and adaptable. Works well with older Dot NET libraries but is less flexible for developers. |
ASP Dot NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework developed by Microsoft for building modern web applications, APIs, and cloud-based services. It is a re-engineered version of ASP Dot NET, designed for high performance, flexibility, and scalability. ASP Dot NET Core supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for cross-platform development. It integrates seamlessly with Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud services, making it ideal for microservices architecture.
| Feature | ASP (Active Server Pages) | ASP Dot NET |
|---|---|---|
| Technology Type | Server-side scripting (interpreted at runtime) | Compiled framework (faster execution) |
| Language Support | VBScript, JavaScript | C#, VB.NET, F# |
| Architecture | Procedural programming | MVC, Web API, Blazor |
| Performance | Slower due to interpreted scripts | Faster due to compiled code |
| Security | Basic security measures | Advanced authentication and authorisation |
| Scalability | Limited scalability | Highly scalable for modern applications |
ASP was a basic scripting language, while ASP Dot NET is a fully-featured web development framework with better performance, security, and modern development standards.
| Feature | Dot NET Core | ASP Dot NET Core |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | A general-purpose development platform | A web framework for building web apps and APIs |
| Application Types | Supports web, desktop, mobile, cloud, IoT apps | Primarily used for web applications and services |
| Cross-Platform | Yes (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Yes (Windows, macOS, Linux) |
| Framework Type | Full development platform | A part of Dot NET Core for web development |
| Performance | High-performance runtime for multiple workloads | Optimised for web development with fast request handling |
In short, Dot NET Core is a development framework used to build various types of applications, while ASP Dot NET Core is a specific web framework within Dot NET Core for developing web applications and APIs.
With the constant demand for cross-platform, scalable, and robust applications, Dot Net core has appeared as the best framework in the software development industry. It doesn't matter if you want to enter the software development field or an experienced developer; preparing for an interview in Dot Net Core can be daunting.
The key to success lies in clutching the core concepts and practising Dot Net core interview questions that test your knowledge across different framework aspects.
Let's check out some frequently asked Net Core interview questions for experienced and fresher candidates, with their answers:
MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a software design pattern used for developing web applications. It separates an application into three interconnected components, making it modular, scalable, and easier to maintain.
MVC is widely used in frameworks like ASP Dot NET Core MVC, Spring MVC (Java), and Ruby on Rails for organising code and improving the separation of concerns.
Example: If an e-commerce app fetches product details, the Model will retrieve product data from the database.
Example: A webpage that displays a list of products fetched from the database using the Model.
Example: When a user clicks "Add to Cart," the Controller updates the Model and refreshes the View to reflect the cart items.
This structured approach improves code organisation, testability, and maintainability in web applications.
MVC stands for Model-view-controller. It gives a more structured approach for bigger applications. Razor Pages are much easier and more suitable for page-based applications. They also reduce the requirements for controllers.
appsettings.json file is used to store configuration settings like application settings, logging configurations, and connection strings. You can access and modify this file without changing the code.
{
"Logging": {
"LogLevel": {
"Default": "Information",
"Microsoft": "Warning"
}
},
"ConnectionStrings": {
"DefaultConnection":"Server=myServer;Database=myDB;User Id=myUser;Password=myPass;"
}
}
DI or Dependency Injection is a design pattern which is utilised in Dot Net Core to get IoC (Inversion of Control). It promotes code reusability, testability, and maintainability by injecting dependencies into classes instead of hardcoding them. Dot Net Core gives built-in support for DI through the IServiceCollection interface.
services.AddScoped<IExampleService, ExampleService>();
Middleware in Dot NET Core is software that holds HTTP responses and requests in a pipeline. It gives functionalities like routing, exception handling, logging, and authentication. Middleware modules are performed in the order they are included in the pipeline, and each module can determine whether to pass the request to upcoming middleware or end the pipeline.
app.Use(async (context, next) => {
// Pre-processing logic
await next.Invoke();
// Post-processing logic
});
Microsoft developed a cross-platform and open-source Dot Net Core framework. Microsoft built this framework to create internet-connected, cloud-based, modern apps. It also gives flexibility, modularity, and high performance across macOS, Linux, and Windows. Unlike the old Dot Net Framework, Dot Net Core is lightweight and competent. This makes it suitable to develop web applications, IoT solutions, and microservices.
Dot Net Core is a cross-platform framework. This implies that it can be operated on Linux, macOS, and Windows. You can achieve this by using a platform-agnostic code or a modular architecture. A good answer will pinpoint that Dot Net Core utilises libraries and platform-independent runtime environments. Candidates should also state the significance of testing apps on all target platforms to ensure compatibility.
Configuration settings in Dot Net Core are usually managed via different configuration providers like command-line arguments, environment variables, and JSON files (e.g., appsettings.json). You can access it via the IConfiguration interface. A suitable candidate should discuss installing and accessing these configurations in the Startup class. Also, they should mention the significance of safely handling sensitive information, potentially using services like Azure Key Vault.
'Tag Helpers' in ASP Dot NET Core enables server-side code to participate in developing and rendering HTML elements in Razor views. They provide an HTML-friendly development experience by binding server-side logic to the HTML markup. You should explain that Tag Helpers enhance the maintainability and readability of code by keeping the markup semantic and clean. Seek examples of common Tag Helpers like input and form helpers and how they simplify HTML generation.
The Common Type System (CTS) establishes a standardised set of rules that dictate how data types should be defined and utilised within program code. It serves as a framework for describing all data types used in an application, ensuring consistency across different programming environments.
By adhering to CTS guidelines, developers can create their own classes and functions, fostering interoperability between languages. This allows data types defined in one programming language to be seamlessly accessed and utilised by other programming languages within the Dot NET ecosystem.
CLS or Common Language Specification helps app developers use the inter-language elements that are compatible with specific regulations that come with CLS. CLS also aids in reusing the code among all of the Dot Net compatible languages.
There is no difference between Int and Int32 in C#. Int32 is a data type offered by the Dot NET framework, while Int is simply codenamed for Int32 in the C# programming language. Both signify a 32-bit signed integer and can be used interchangeably in code.
JIT, or Just In Time, is a compiler that translates the intermediate code into the local language throughout the execution.
The major differences between unmanaged and managed code are listed below:
| Managed Code | Unmanaged Code |
|---|---|
| CLR manages it. | CLR doesn't manage it. |
| The Dot Net framework is essential for execution. | No need for a Dot Net framework for the execution. |
| Garbage collection performs the memory management. | Memory management is handled by a runtime environment. |
A Garbage Collector (GC) is an automatic memory management system in Dot NET that frees up memory by removing unused or unreachable objects. It helps prevent memory leaks and improves application performance by reclaiming memory that is no longer needed.
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
MyClass obj = new MyClass(); // Object created
obj = null; // Object no longer needed
GC.Collect(); // Forces Garbage Collection
}
}
class MyClass { }
Although GC.Collect() can manually trigger garbage collection, the GC automatically runs when needed, making memory management efficient.
An assembly is basically a file that is automatically created by the compiler. It includes a collection of resources and types that are made to work together and create a logical unit of functionality. In other words, assembly is a logical unit of code or a compiled code. Assemblies are applied in the form of .dll (dynamic link library) or .exe (executable) files.
An assembly in Dot NET consists of several parts. These parts are packaged together into an EXE or DLL file, which the Dot NET runtime uses to execute the application:
In Dot NET, assemblies can be categorized into:
An EXE is an executable file program that you can run directly on your computer. It contains everything needed to run the application, including the code and resources. When you double-click an EXE file, the program starts executing, like a console app or a desktop application.
A DLL is a dynamic link library which isn't something you can run directly. It's more like a collection of reusable code or resources that other applications can call upon while they're running. Think of it as a toolkit for programs. So, rather than launching it independently, other programs use the functions inside the DLL to perform certain tasks.
UWP Apps are apps designed to run on all Windows 10 devices like PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox, and more. The important thing about UWP is that you write your app once, and it can run across all these devices without any changes.
In Dot NET Core, UWP apps are built using the Universal Windows Platform API. It allows developers to create modern, responsive applications that take full advantage of Windows features. With UWP in Dot NET Core, you can build high-performance apps with a great user experience across all Windows devices.
In Dot NET Core, a delegate is like a function pointer or a reference to a method. It enables you to pass methods as arguments and also enables flexible and dynamic method calls. Think of it as a "callback" mechanism when you need to call a method later or pass it around, you can use a delegate. It can point to one or more methods, making it useful for scenarios like event handling and asynchronous programming.
services.AddTransient<IMyService, MyService>();
services.AddScoped<IMyScopedService, MyScopedService>();
services.AddSingleton<IMySingletonService, MySingletonService>();
Minimal APIs are a lightweight way to build APIs in Dot NET Core without using controllers. They provide better performance and are ideal for microservices and small APIs.
var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var app = builder.Build();
app.MapGet("/", () => "Hello, World!");
app.Run();
IActionResult is an interface that represents the result of an action method in ASP Dot NET Core, which can return various types like OkResult, NotFoundResult, BadRequestResult, etc.
ActionResult is a class that implements IActionResult and allows returning different types of results more easily, with better support for generic results like ActionResult. For example, you can return ActionResult to return both HTTP status and content.
Startup.cs is the main configuration file in an ASP Dot NET Core application. It contains the application's setup, such as services registration (using ConfigureServices) and defining the middleware pipeline (using Configure). It helps in configuring things like authentication, routing, logging, and more.
Dot NET Core supports asynchronous programming through the async and await keywords. This allows non-blocking I/O operations, improving scalability by freeing up resources while waiting for tasks like file I/O, database queries, or HTTP requests to complete.
NuGet is the package manager for Dot NET, and it is used to distribute reusable code libraries. In Dot NET Core, you can add NuGet packages to your project by specifying them in the .csproj file or using the NuGet CLI to install and manage dependencies.
Dot NET Core offers several performance optimizations such as:
Entity Framework Core is a lightweight, cross-platform version of the Entity Framework ORM. It supports Dot NET Core applications and is designed to be more modular and optimised for performance compared to the traditional Entity Framework, which is limited to Dot NET Framework and lacks cross-platform support.
It is crucial to practice interview questions on Dot Net Core for many reasons:
You can become more confident and comfortable with technical discussions by answering potential questions in advance. The more you practice, the more confident and fluent you become in uttering your thoughts.
You can easily strengthen your knowledge of core concepts like API development, middleware, and dependency injection with daily practice of interview questions on Net Core. It also aids you in knowing the gaps in your work and understanding how to improve them.
Interviewers often evaluate your problem-solving skills by giving you challenging scenarios. Practising many questions helps you build the skills to approach problems systematically and create effective solutions.
Practicing interview questions helps you tackle your response time effectively throughout the interview. You can make the best impression in the limited available time by knowing how to answer questions confidently and concisely.
Dot Net Core keeps evolving, and practising interview questions based on Net Core 6.0 can align you with industry standards. Knowing about the latest improvements and features will let you showcase yourself as a knowledgeable candidate.
Practicing some important questions provides a structured way to present your ideas concisely and clearly during interviews. It also aids you in developing a logical sequence to explain your answers. This ultimately ensures coherence and clarity.
Exposure to various types of questions, varying from basic to advanced levels, improves your flexibility to difficulty levels and diverse interview styles.
Along with technical questions, interviews often comprise behavioural aspects. Practising situational and technical questions helps you effectively present your experiences and abilities.
Below are some detailed tips that will help you prepare for your Dot Net Core interview:
Make sure that you have a great understanding of basic concepts like ASP Dot NET Core architecture, configurations, middleware, and dependency injection. Review tutorials and official documentation to reinforce your foundation.
Implement practical exercises and small projects to apply theoretical concepts. Working on real-world situations will also assist you in improving problem-solving skills and building confidence.
Prepare frequently asked net core interview questions for freshers that cover areas like API development, authentication, entity framework core, and routing.
Understand key design patterns utilised in Dot Net Core apps, like Repository patterns, Factory, and Singleton. Knowing these subjects will help you answer architecture-related questions efficiently.
Dot Net Core is a subject that keeps changing. Therefore, you need to stay updated about the best practices introduced in the newest versions, performance enhancements, and new features. This includes preparing the latest Net Core 6.0 interview questions.
Since Dot Net Core is extensively used in cloud environments, gain insight on deploying applications to cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. As a bonus, you can also learn Kubernetes and Docker.
Always write maintainable, well-organised, and clean code. You can also try participating in coding challenges on platforms like HackerRank and LeetCode to expand your coding skills.
You can also conduct mock interviews with mentors or peers to simulate real interview situations. This will aid you in getting used to answering questions under pressure and enhance your communication skills.
Microsoft gives detailed documentation on Dot Net Core topics. You will stay updated with the framework's recommended practices and capabilities when you frequently refer to it.
Learn methods to increase your application performance. This includes memory management, asynchronous programming, and caching strategies in Dot Net Core.
Along with technical abilities, interviewers may also check your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving approach. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and previous projects.
Gain knowledge of integration testing and unit testing in Dot Net Core using frameworks like Moq and xUnit. This will help you display your dedication to writing reliable code.
Preparing for Dot NET core questions and answers requires a well-structured approach that comprises many things. For example, you will need to practice frequently asked questions, stay updated with the recent features, and master basic concepts. Besides technical knowledge, candidates should also develop problem-solving skills, comprehend design patterns, and learn cloud deployment strategies, which can considerably improve their keenness.
You can also leverage resources like coding challenges, mock interviews, and official documentation to further enhance your performance and build confidence. Remember that preparing for an interview is an ongoing process. This means you need to practice consistently and exert effort to beat the competition. With a strategic way and dedication, you can successfully crack your Dot Net Core interview and progress your career in software development.
Dot Net Core provides modularity, dependency injection, high performance, cross-platform support, built-in support, and open-source nature for cloud integration capabilities and microservices.
For effective preparation, you should concentrate on preparing core concepts. You can also participate in mock interviews, stay updated with the latest features, review frequently asked questions, practice coding exercises, etc.
Freshers are normally asked questions on the fundamentals. Some common questions include the differences between the Dot NET Framework and Dot NET Core, entity framework, middleware, and dependency injection.
Some common tools include Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, and online coding platforms like LeetCode.
Cloud integration is important because most modern apps are deployed on cloud platforms, including AWS and Azure.