For .NET Framework which executes first web.config or global.asax? For .NET Core which executes first Main() or different available config files?

As stated we.config is just a file and not executed. It can be read many times and many different sections of code. With asp.net hosted by IIS, the first request to a application dir, the asp.net runtime will read the web.config, to configure the application. Once I the modules and handlers are loaded it will execute the pipeline. You asp.net code may read the web.config to get settings. With .net framework console apps, there is typically an app settings. Again this read to get configuration information by the hosting code, then may be read after main is called to application settings. With .net core reading the config files are optional. You add code to read them.

Which part is executed first by asp.net core CLR, the configuration file or the Main() method.

bhavna 106

For .NET Framework which executes first web.config or global.asax?
For .NET Core which executes first Main() or different available config files?

AgaveJoe 26,166 Reputation points

2022-02-13T12:35:09.247+00:00

The configuration files do not execute they are text files that are loaded/accessed when an application starts. The global.asax executes on every request. Main, In Core, is the application entry point and executes once when the application loads.

I recommend reading the official documentation.

Global.asax Syntax
Web.Config
Configuration in ASP.NET Core
Main() and command-line arguments
ASP.NET Core fundamentals
bhavna 106 Reputation points

2022-02-13T13:35:31.197+00:00

suppose, I have registered a custom HTTP Module on web.config file, so how does HttpRuntime know that there is a custom HTTP module also and the request should enter into that too?
When the HttpApplication object is created by HttpRuntime then the init() method of all modules is called at that time, the HttpApplication must be aware of the custom HttpModule, but without communicating to web.config how is it possible?
AgaveJoe 26,166 Reputation points

2022-02-13T15:58:10.457+00:00

IIS uses the web.config to configure an application. When you add an HTTP Module to the web.config you are instructing IIS to load the module.

When the HttpApplication object is created by HttpRuntime then the init() method of all modules is called at that time, the HttpApplication must be aware of the custom HttpModule, but without communicating to web.config how is it possible?

Again, the web.config is a configuration file. The web.config does not execute code, it is read by executing code. Init() is the implementation of IHttpModule. It's just a programming pattern in ASP.NET.

IHttpModule.Init(HttpApplication) Method
HttpApplication Class

There is also a machine.config that has global configuration for all IIS ASP.NET applications.

Edit the configuration of an ASP.NET application

1 answer

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 57,886 Reputation points

2022-02-13T16:51:18.61+00:00

As stated we.config is just a file and not executed. It can be read many times and many different sections of code.

With asp.net hosted by IIS, the first request to a application dir, the asp.net runtime will read the web.config, to configure the application. Once I the modules and handlers are loaded it will execute the pipeline. You asp.net code may read the web.config to get settings.

With .net framework console apps, there is typically an app settings. Again this read to get configuration information by the hosting code, then may be read after main is called to application settings.

With .net core reading the config files are optional. You add code to read them.
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Which part is executed first by asp.net core CLR, the configuration file or the Main() method.

1 answer