This article examines the distinction between appsettings.json and appsettings.{Environment}.json in .NET Core applications.

Configuration files are used to manage application settings in this framework, with appsettings.json serving as the base configuration and appsettings.{Environment}.json providing environment-specific configuration.

The environment can be specified in the launchSettings.json file, while environment variables like DOTNET_ENVIRONMENT and ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT are read by ASP.NET Core.

It is advised against storing secrets and passwords in configuration files intended for production environments, and instead, alternate approaches such as Azure Key Vault or encrypted database configurations are recommended.

Configuration files are loaded in a specific order, with values from appsettings.{Environment}.json overriding those in appsettings.json.

.NET Core offers several built-in configuration providers, and additional providers can be added through NuGet packages.

Additionally, security considerations, such as employing NTLM authentication for SQL Server connections, should be taken into account.

Configuration Files

Configuration files in .NET Core apps, such as appsettings.json and appsettings.{Environment}.json, are used to manage application settings and provide environment-specific configurations.

These files play a crucial role in separating the configuration from the code, allowing for easy modification without recompiling the application.

The appsettings.json file serves as the base configuration file, containing settings that are common across all environments.

On the other hand, the appsettings.{Environment}.json files provide environment-specific configurations, allowing developers to customize the application behavior based on the deployment environment.

By using different configuration files for different environments, developers can easily switch between development, staging, and production environments without modifying the application code.

This flexibility enables the application to adapt to various deployment scenarios smoothly.

Environment Variables

Environment variables are used in .NET Core applications to specify the environment in which the application is running. These variables provide a way to configure the application without modifying the code or configuration files directly.

Two commonly used environment variables in ASP.NET Core are DOTNET_ENVIRONMENT and ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT. The value of these variables can be set to any string, but the framework provides three default values: Development, Staging, and Production.

The environment variables can be set in various ways, such as through the launchSettings.json file during local development or through the hosting environment in a production server.

The application can then read the value of the environment variable using the IHostEnvironment.EnvironmentName property to apply environment-specific configurations and behavior.

Secrets and Passwords

Secrets and passwords should be securely managed and stored in separate systems, such as Azure Key Vault or encrypted database configurations, to ensure the protection of sensitive information.

Storing secrets and passwords in configuration files, such as appsettings.json or appsettings.{Environment}.json, is not recommended for production environments. These configuration files can be accessed and read by anyone with access to the application code or deployment files, posing a security risk.

By utilizing services like Azure Key Vault or encrypted database configurations, sensitive information can be securely stored and accessed only by authorized users or applications. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to secrets and passwords, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized use of sensitive information.