What is Session Management in ASP.NET Core?

Session Management in ASP.NET Core allows developers to store user-specific data temporarily across multiple requests. It is useful for tracking user state, shopping carts, preferences, or temporary authentication tokens. ASP.NET Core supports in-memory, distributed, and cookie-based sessions.

Key Features:

• Store user data across requests
• Supports in-memory and distributed session stores
• Lightweight and easy to configure
• Works with MVC, Razor Pages, and Web API
• Enables secure storage of temporary data

Example:
Configure session in Program.cs:

builder.Services.AddDistributedMemoryCache();
builder.Services.AddSession(options =>
{
    options.IdleTimeout = TimeSpan.FromMinutes(30);
    options.Cookie.HttpOnly = true;
});
var app = builder.Build();
app.UseSession();

Set and get session values in a controller:

public IActionResult Index()
{
    HttpContext.Session.SetString("Username", "JohnDoe");
    var username = HttpContext.Session.GetString("Username");
    return Content($"Hello, {username}");
}

Session management in ASP.NET Core helps maintain user state and improves the functionality of web applications.

Citations:

• Learn more on Savanka
• Official ASP.NET Core Documentation