ASP NET Core launchsettings json file

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through understanding the significance of the launchSettings.json file in an ASP.NET Core project. This configuration file plays a crucial role in defining how your application runs during development, including setting environment variables and configuring profiles for different launch settings.

Step 1: Locate the launchSettings.json File

• Navigate to the Properties folder of your ASP.NET Core project.
• Look for the launchSettings.json file, which is automatically generated when you create a new project.

Step 2: Understand the Structure of launchSettings.json

The launchSettings.json file is structured in a JSON format and typically includes several key sections:

• profiles: This section defines different profiles for launching your application. Each profile can have its own settings.

Example structure:

{
  "profiles": {
    "IIS Express": {
      "commandName": "IISExpress",
      "launchBrowser": true,
      "environmentVariables": {
        "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
      }
    },
    "YourAppName": {
      "commandName": "Project",
      "launchBrowser": true,
      "applicationUrl": "http://localhost:5000",
      "environmentVariables": {
        "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Modify Profiles

You can customize the profiles to fit your development needs:

• commandName: Specifies how the application should be launched. Common values include Project for running the project or IISExpress for running with IIS Express.
• launchBrowser: Set to true if you want the default web browser to open when you start the application.
• applicationUrl: Defines the URL(s) the application will use when launched.

Tips for Modification

• Always ensure that the URLs you specify are available and not in use by other applications.
• Use different profiles for testing different configurations or environments.

Step 4: Set Environment Variables

The environmentVariables section is where you can define variables specific to that profile:

• Common variables include ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT, which can be set to Development, Staging, or Production.
• Add additional variables as needed for your application configuration.

Step 5: Launching the Application

• After configuring the launchSettings.json, you can launch your application from Visual Studio.
• Select the desired profile from the run/debug configuration dropdown and click the run button.

Conclusion

The launchSettings.json file is a vital component of ASP.NET Core projects that allows for flexible application configuration during development. By understanding and modifying this file, you can better control how your application runs, set environment variables, and streamline your development process.

For further exploration, consider learning about other configurations in ASP.NET Core or experimenting with different profiles to understand their impact on your application.