.NET 8 Minimal API: Reasons for Choosing It Over Controllers and Performance Advantages

With .NET 8, Minimal API offers a lighter and more performance-oriented alternative compared to the traditional Controller-based structure. It provides significant advantages, especially in microservices architecture, cloud-based applications, and low-latency systems. In this article, we will explore why Minimal API should be preferred, its impact on performance, and the benefits it offers for enterprise projects.

What is Minimal API?

Minimal API is a lightweight API development approach in ASP.NET Core that allows building RESTful services with less code. Compared to Controller-based MVC architecture, it requires less abstraction and configuration. Particularly in small and medium-sized API projects, it enables minimal coding by avoiding unnecessary abstractions and focusing directly on the required operations.

Comparison with Controller-Based API

Controller-based API development has been a conventional approach in ASP.NET Core projects for years. However, there are some key differences when compared to Minimal API:

1. Less Boilerplate Code: The controller-based structure follows a specific pattern and requires more template code. With Minimal API, you can write only the necessary functions, avoiding unnecessary abstractions.
2. Faster Startup Time: Minimal API allows applications to start faster since it does not load unnecessary Controllers, ActionFilters, or Middleware layers.
3. Simplified Structure: It avoids unnecessary dependencies and enables the creation of a clean and manageable structure that includes only the necessary methods.
4. Performance Increase: By eliminating unnecessary components, the API can respond faster and consume fewer system resources.

Impact of Minimal API on Performance

Minimal API’s effect on performance can be analyzed through several key factors:

1. Lower Memory Usage

One of the biggest advantages of Minimal API is preventing unnecessary object creation and reducing memory consumption. In controller-based APIs, multiple Middleware and filters are executed for each request, whereas Minimal API interacts directly with endpoints, reducing memory usage.

2. Faster Request-Response Times

Minimal API processes incoming requests much faster as it defines endpoints using direct methods like app.MapGet()and app.MapPost(). This makes a significant difference, especially in high-traffic systems.

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var app = builder.Build();

app.MapGet("/hello", () => "Hello, Minimal API!");

app.Run();

As seen in the example above, a GET request can be created in a single line. Unlike the Controller structure, it does not require defining extra classes or methods.

3. Less Middleware Usage

In traditional ASP.NET Core applications, Controllers are automatically managed by certain Middleware components. Minimal API loads only the necessary Middleware, eliminating unnecessary overhead and directing requests straight to the endpoint.

Using Minimal API in Enterprise Projects

Although Controller-based structures are traditionally preferred in enterprise projects, Minimal API offers significant advantages in specific use cases. At WAGONN, we closely follow technological advancements and provide guidance in adopting new technologies in software projects. Minimal API is particularly recommended in the following scenarios:

• Microservices Architecture: Minimal API is an ideal solution for building lightweight and fast APIs.
• Optimizing Server Resources: Since Minimal API imposes less load in terms of memory and CPU usage, it offers advantages in performance-critical systems.
• Lightweight Deployment on Servers: In Kubernetes, Docker, and serverless architectures, Minimal API enhances scalability with smaller container sizes.
• Rapid Prototyping and MVP Development: With Minimal API, you can quickly create a working API prototype.

Conclusion

Minimal API, introduced with .NET 8, provides a lighter, faster, and more manageable alternative compared to the Controller-based structure. At WAGONN, we continue to offer the best solutions by leveraging the latest technologies in software projects. To develop more efficient and faster systems using Minimal API, feel free to reach out to us.