Convention-Based Routing
Definition: Defines routing patterns in a central RouteConfig file (e.g., routes.MapRoute in RouteConfig.cs).
Configuration: Routes are applied globally, based on predefined patterns.
Flexibility: Less flexible for complex or specific scenarios.
Readability: Routes are separated from controllers/actions, making them harder to trace.
When to Use:
Simple, consistent routing patterns across the application.
Legacy MVC applications.
Attribute Routing
Definition: Defines routes directly on controller actions using attributes (e.g., [Route("api/products/{id}")]).
Configuration: Routes are defined locally on controllers and actions.
Flexibility: Highly flexible, allowing specific, fine-grained route definitions.
Readability: Easier to trace routes as they are defined alongside the actions.
When to Use:
APIs and complex routing scenarios.
Applications requiring custom routes for specific actions.
Projects with microservices or RESTful services.