If you are building a .Net Core api and are using appsettings and/or Azure App configuration, you might have this question in mind. Since, this is the AI era, I keep asking my queries to chatgpt or copilot or bard and use my blog as the notes for myself and for my readers:Here is the prompt:
What is the difference between IConfiguration and IOptionsSnapshot. When I am using Azure App Configuration in a .net core api what should I use out of the two?
Let’s delve into the differences between IConfiguration
and IOptionsSnapshot
, especially in the context of using Azure App Configuration in a .NET Core API.
IConfiguration:
- Purpose:
IConfiguration
provides access to configuration settings (such as app settings, connection strings, etc.) from various sources (e.g., JSON files, environment variables, command-line arguments). - Lifetime: It is a singleton service, meaning it retrieves configuration values once during application startup and caches them.
- Use Case:
- Suitable when you don’t expect your configuration values to change frequently.
- Useful for reading configuration settings at application startup.
- Not ideal for scenarios where real-time updates are crucial.
IOptionsSnapshot
- Purpose:
IOptionsSnapshot
is designed for use with transient and scoped dependencies (e.g., per-request services in ASP.NET Core). - Lifetime: It is scoped, meaning it retrieves the most up-to-date configuration values at the time the
IOptionsSnapshot<T>
object is constructed. - Use Case:
- Perfect when you expect configuration values to change during the lifetime of a request.
- Provides a snapshot of the options, ensuring consistency within a single request.
- Allows you to update settings while the application is running and immediately see the updated results.
Choosing Between Them
- If your configuration values remain relatively static, use
IConfiguration
. - If you need real-time updates within a request scope, opt for
IOptionsSnapshot
. - In your scenario of using Azure App Configuration, consider the following:
- If you want to read configuration settings during startup or infrequently, stick with
IConfiguration
. - If you need dynamic updates within a request, go for
IOptionsSnapshot
.
Remember that both serve different purposes, and your choice depends on the specific requirements of your application.