ASP.NET Core MVC Interview Question #101

What is authentication in an ASP.NET Core MVC application?

Authentication, Authorization, Security & State Management Mid-Level Intermediate

Quick Interview Answer

Authentication determines who the current user is. ASP.NET Core authentication handlers examine credentials such as an authentication cookie or bearer token and, when valid, establish a ClaimsPrincipal on HttpContext.User.

Detailed Explanation

Authentication determines who the current user is. ASP.NET Core authentication handlers examine credentials such as an authentication cookie or bearer token and, when valid, establish a ClaimsPrincipal on HttpContext.User.

Authentication alone does not decide whether a user may perform a particular operation. That decision belongs to authorization.

Code Example

if (User.Identity?.IsAuthenticated == true)
{
    var name = User.Identity.Name;
}