Learn How to Generate DTOs for ASP.NET Core Web Apps

Learn How to Generate DTOs for ASP.NET Core Web Apps

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting up the ASP.NET Core Web App
3. Creating the SQLite Database
4. Generating the DTOs
   1. Login DTO
   2. Order Detail DTO
   3. Order DTO
   4. Register DTO
   5. Review DTO
5. Comparing the Generated DTOs
6. Moving the DTOs to the Project
7. Creating the Data Access Class Library
8. Building the Domain Models
9. Conclusion

📝 Introduction

In this article, we will learn how to set up an ASP.NET Core Web App and Create a SQLite database. We will also explore the process of generating Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) using Visual Studio. Additionally, we'll compare the generated DTOs with the ones we have manually written. Finally, we'll move the DTOs to the project and build the Data Access Class Library.

🚀 Setting up the ASP.NET Core Web App

To begin, we need to create a new ASP.NET Core Web App. You can do this by selecting "File" and then "New Project". Choose the ASP.NET Core Web App template and provide a name for your project. Make sure to include the SQLite database option during the setup. If you prefer, you can also clone the repository provided to follow along with the exact code.

📁 Creating the SQLite Database

Next, we will create the SQLite database for our project. If you haven't done so already, add an empty SQLite database to your project. You can do this by using the "Add Item" option and selecting "SQLite Database". You can either create and fill the database manually or use the pre-existing one from the repository to simplify the process.

🔍 Generating the DTOs

Now it's time to generate the Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) that will allow us to Interact with our database. We will use Visual Studio's code generation feature to accomplish this. We'll generate the following DTOs: Login DTO, Order Detail DTO, Order DTO, Register DTO, and Review DTO.

📝 Login DTO

The Login DTO is responsible for storing the necessary information for user authentication, such as email and password.

📝 Order Detail DTO

The Order Detail DTO is used to store the details of an order, including the order ID, product ID, quantity, and price.

📝 Order DTO

The Order DTO represents an order and contains information like the order ID, customer ID, total price, and order date.

📝 Register DTO

The Register DTO is used to store the information needed for user registration, such as email, password, and username.

📝 Review DTO

The Review DTO stores the details of a product review, including the review ID, product ID, rating, and review text.

🔍 Comparing the Generated DTOs

After generating the DTOs, we need to compare them with our previously written DTOs. We may Notice differences in the generated code, such as missing attributes or default values. Understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of our code.

🚚 Moving the DTOs to the Project

Once we've compared and reviewed the generated DTOs, we can move them to our project. We will create a new folder within the Data Access Class Library and place the DTOs inside it. This step helps us organize our code effectively.

📦 Creating the Data Access Class Library

To separate the data access related code, we will create a Data Access Class Library. This library will contain all the necessary code for interacting with the database. By isolating the data access logic, we can maintain a clean and maintainable codebase.

🔨 Building the Domain Models

Finally, we'll create the domain models that represent the entities in our project, such as users, products, and orders. These models will define the structure and behavior of our data. Building robust domain models is important for creating a solid foundation for our application.

🎉 Conclusion

In this article, we learned how to set up an ASP.NET Core Web App and create a SQLite database. We explored the process of generating DTOs using Visual Studio and compared them with our manually written DTOs. Furthermore, we moved the DTOs to the project and built a Data Access Class Library. Finally, we discussed the importance of building domain models for our application's entities.

🌐 Resources:

• Link to repository

FAQ:

Q: Can I use a different database instead of SQLite? A: Yes, you can use a different database like SQL Server or MySQL. However, the process of setting up the database may vary.

Q: How can I add additional DTOs to my project? A: To add additional DTOs to your project, follow the same process of generating DTOs using Visual Studio or manually write them according to your requirements.

Q: Is it necessary to create a separate Data Access Class Library? A: While not necessary, creating a separate Data Access Class Library helps maintain a clean and organized code structure. It also allows for easier separation of concerns and reusability of code.