"I worked on an e-commerce system built using ASP.

NET Core Web API, where users

can browse products, add them to a cart, place orders, and view their order history. My
responsibilities included developing the backend APIs for product management, order
processing, and handling user authentication using JWT. I implemented the business
logic in the service layer and worked closely with the database using Entity Framework
Core to manage product and order data.

I also created DTOs to handle communication between the client and server, ensuring
data validation and proper error handling.

During this project, I gained experience in handling security aspects, such as JWT-based
authentication and protecting the system from common vulnerabilities like SQL
injection.

Backend Development (ASP.NET Core Web API):

● Developing RESTful APIs for product catalog, order processing, and user
management.
● Implementing business logic in the service layer and defining endpoints in
API controllers.
● Writing DTOs (Data Transfer Objects) for communication between the
client and API.
● Handling CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for products and
orders.
● Ensuring data validation and handling errors/exceptions gracefully.

Database Interaction:

● Using Entity Framework Core for database operations such as managing

product data, user information, and orders.

API Security:

● Implementing JWT-based authentication to secure API endpoints and

managing role-based access for users (e.g., Admin vs. Customer).
● Protecting the application from common security vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL
injection, XSS).

Participating in code reviews to ensure quality and adherence to best practices.

Collaborating with the project manager to understand requirements and provide time
estimates.

Technical Round
1. API Development

Q1: Can you explain how you designed the API endpoints for your e-commerce project?
 A:
In the project, I designed RESTful API endpoints for different resources such as
Products, Orders, and Users. For example:

● GET /api/products – Fetch all products.

● GET /api/products/{id} – Fetch a specific product by its ID.
● POST /api/products – Add a new product (Admin functionality).
● DELETE /api/products/{id} – Delete a product (Admin functionality).

I followed REST principles, used HTTP methods properly, and returned

appropriate status codes like 200 OK, 201 Created, 400 Bad Request, etc.

Q2: How did you handle error handling and validation in your Web API?

A:
I used Model Validation to validate incoming requests using data annotations like
[Required], [MaxLength], etc. For example, when a product is created, I
check if all required fields like Name and Price are provided and valid. I also
used custom validation for specific use cases like ensuring that the Price is
greater than zero.

For error handling, I used global exception handling via ExceptionMiddleware

to catch and log unhandled exceptions. I returned appropriate HTTP status codes
(400, 404, 500) based on the type of error and provided a detailed error
message.

Q3: How did you manage database operations in your project?

A:
I used Entity Framework Core as an ORM to manage database operations. I
created models for Products, Orders, and Users and used DbContext to
interact with the database. CRUD operations were handled using Entity
Framework methods like Add, FindAsync, Remove, and SaveChangesAsync.

To optimize queries, I used eager loading (via .Include()) to fetch related

entities in a single query when needed, such as retrieving an order along with its
order items.

2. Authentication and Security

Q4: How did you implement authentication in your e-commerce system?

A:
I implemented JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication to secure the API. Users
log in with their credentials, and if successful, a JWT token is generated and sent
back to the client. This token is then used to authenticate subsequent requests
by adding it to the Authorization header as a Bearer token.
 For protected routes like managing products (admin access), I used role-based
authorization, ensuring that only users with the Admin role can access certain
endpoints.

Q5: How did you secure the API against common security threats?

A:
I implemented several security measures:

● JWT-based authentication to prevent unauthorized access.

● Input validation to prevent SQL Injection.
● Used HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
● Implemented anti-forgery tokens in the UI (if using Razor Pages).
● Handled sensitive data carefully by not exposing it directly and logging
securely.

3. Entity Framework and Database

Q6: How did you handle database migrations in the project?

A:
I used Entity Framework Core migrations to handle changes to the database
schema. For instance, when I needed to add new columns or modify existing
models, I ran the following commands:

● dotnet ef migrations add MigrationName

● dotnet ef database update

This helped version control the database and ensure that changes were applied
consistently across development, testing, and production environments.

Q7: How did you optimize the performance of your database queries?

A:
To optimize database queries:

● I used eager loading (Include()) to fetch related entities in one query

when necessary, which avoids the N+1 query problem.
● Used pagination for large datasets (e.g., products) by limiting the number
of items returned per request.
● Indexed frequently queried columns in the database, such as Product
Name and Price.
● Cached frequently accessed data using in-memory caching or distributed
caching with Redis (if required).
Managerial Round
1. Team Collaboration and Contribution

Q1: How did you collaborate with other team members during this project?

A:
Collaboration was key throughout the project. I worked closely with front-end
developers to integrate the APIs with the UI, using tools like Postman and
Swagger for testing. We had regular standups to discuss progress and blockers,
and I participated in code reviews to ensure adherence to best practices. I also
communicated regularly with the project manager to clarify requirements and
provide time estimates for new features.

Q2: How do you handle feedback and constructive criticism in a team

environment?

A:
I view feedback as an opportunity to grow. During code reviews, if someone
suggests an improvement or points out an issue, I take it positively and work to
implement the feedback. I also ensure that any constructive criticism is used to
improve the quality of my code and processes in the future.

2. Project Management and Deadlines

Q3: How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple features or bug fixes?

A:
I prioritize tasks based on the project’s immediate needs and deadlines. For
example, if there’s a critical bug affecting users, I prioritize fixing that first over
developing new features. I also use project management tools like Jira to
manage my tasks and ensure I’m on track with deadlines. I regularly
communicate with the team to ensure my priorities align with the overall project
goals.

Q4: Can you give an example of a challenging task you encountered in the
project and how you resolved it?

A:
One challenge I encountered was optimizing the performance of the order
retrieval feature. Initially, fetching orders along with their items was slow due to
multiple database queries. I solved this by using eager loading with .Include()
to load the related entities in one query, which significantly reduced the number
of database calls and improved performance.

Client Round
1. Requirements Understanding

Q1: How do you ensure you understand the client’s requirements thoroughly before
starting development?

A:
Before starting development, I ensure that I have a clear understanding of the
client’s requirements by asking clarifying questions and discussing use cases. I
often document these requirements and confirm them with the client to ensure
alignment. During development, I regularly check in with the client to provide
updates and confirm that the implementation is meeting their expectations.

2. Feature Implementation and Scalability

Q2: How did you ensure that the e-commerce system you built is scalable?

A:
Scalability was considered from the start. I ensured that the API was stateless,
which allows horizontal scaling by adding more servers if traffic increases. I also
used caching for frequently accessed data to reduce database load, and
optimized the database with indexing for faster query performance. Additionally,
the application’s architecture (using a service and repository pattern) makes it
easy to extend and add new features without significant refactoring.

3. Future Enhancements

Q3: If the client wanted to add a new feature such as a payment gateway, how would
you approach it?

A:
First, I would gather all the client’s requirements regarding the payment gateway,
such as which providers they want to integrate (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). I would then
research the APIs provided by these payment gateways and integrate them into
the system. The implementation would involve securely handling payment
information, integrating with the external API, and updating the order status in our
database once the payment is confirmed. I would also ensure that the payment
flow adheres to security best practices (like SSL, tokenization, etc.).

The architecture used for the e-commerce project built with ASP.NET Core Web
API is typically a Layered Architecture (N-Tier Architecture). This approach
ensures separation of concerns and improves scalability, maintainability, and
testability.

Layers in the Architecture

1. Presentation Layer (Client/UI):

○ This is where the client or front-end interacts with the system.
 ○ The client could be a web application (e.g., using Angular, React, or
Razor Pages), mobile app, or another system consuming the Web
API.
○ In your case, since this is a Web API project, the API serves as an
interface for the clients to make requests and retrieve data.
2. API Layer (ASP.NET Core Web API):
○ The API layer is responsible for handling client requests and routing
them to the appropriate services. This is where the API Controllers
are defined.
○ Each controller corresponds to a specific resource (e.g.,
ProductController, OrderController) and contains the
HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
○ This layer is responsible for validating input, handling errors, and
returning appropriate HTTP responses.
3. Service Layer (Business Logic):
○ This layer contains the business logic and rules of the application.
It ensures that the system behaves according to the business
requirements.
○ It communicates with the repository layer to fetch or save data and
performs any additional processing (e.g., validation, calculations).
○ By separating the business logic into its own layer, you ensure that
it’s reusable and testable.
4. Repository/Data Access Layer:
○ The Repository Layer interacts with the database using Entity
Framework Core (or ADO.NET in some cases).
○ It contains methods to perform CRUD operations on the database
(e.g., retrieving products, adding orders).
○ By using the repository pattern, you abstract the database logic
from the rest of the application, which makes it easier to maintain
and replace the data source if necessary.
5. Database Layer:
○ This layer consists of the actual database where entities such as
Products, Orders, and Users are stored.
○ The database could be any relational database management
system (RDBMS), such as SQL Server, MySQL, or PostgreSQL.

Architecture Diagram Overview

Here’s a brief outline of the flow:

1. Client (Front-end) → Makes API calls (e.g., to fetch

products).
2. API Layer → The controller receives the request, validates
it, and passes it to the service layer.
3. Service Layer → Business logic is applied (e.g., filtering
products based on category or applying business rules).
4. Repository Layer → Retrieves or updates data from the
database using Entity Framework Core.
 5. Database → Stores data and responds to CRUD requests.

Benefits of Layered Architecture:

1. Separation of Concerns: Each layer has its specific responsibility, which

makes the system easier to manage and extend.
2. Maintainability: Changes in one layer (e.g., database) do not affect others
(e.g., business logic).`
3. Testability: Each layer can be tested independently. For example, unit tests
can be written for the business logic without requiring the database.
4. Scalability: Layers like the service or repository can be scaled individually
if needed.
5. Reusability: The business logic and data access logic can be reused
across different types of clients (e.g., web, mobile, desktop apps).

When discussing the architecture during an interview, you can say:

"In the e-commerce project, we used a Layered Architecture (N-Tier), which

helped in separating concerns and making the system more maintainable. The
API controllers handled client requests, the service layer contained the business
logic, and the repository layer managed database operations. This architecture
ensured that each layer focused on its responsibilities and allowed us to scale or
modify parts of the system without affecting others."

"In the e-commerce project, we followed a Layered Architecture with several

design patterns to ensure maintainability and scalability. We used the Repository
Pattern to abstract database operations, allowing the service layer to interact
with the data layer without knowing the underlying data source. The Unit of Work
Pattern was used to ensure consistency when multiple operations were
performed in a transaction.

We implemented Dependency Injection to promote loose coupling, making the

code more testable and flexible. DTOs were used to transfer data between the
API and the client, ensuring that our internal models weren’t exposed directly. For
certain services, like caching, we followed the Singleton Pattern to ensure only
one instance was created.

5. DTO (Data Transfer Object) Pattern

The DTO Pattern is used to transfer data between layers. DTOs are simple
objects that carry data but don’t contain any business logic. In an API project,
they are commonly used to transfer data between the API and the client.
 ● Usage: In the project, DTOs are used to define the structure of the data
that will be sent or received in API calls, such as ProductDTO, OrderDTO,
and UserDTO.

public class ProductDTO

{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
}

Benefits:

● Prevents exposing internal domain models directly to the client, which can
improve security.
● Helps control the shape of the data that flows across the network.
● Makes the system more flexible, as changes to internal models don’t
affect external data contracts.

4. Singleton Pattern

The Singleton Pattern ensures a class has only one instance and provides a
global point of access to it. ASP.NET Core manages some services as singletons
(like logging, caching, etc.).

● Usage: In this project, the Singleton Pattern might be applied to services

like caching (e.g., memory cache), where you only need one instance
throughout the application's lifetime.

Example: When configuring services in Startup.cs:

services.AddSingleton<IMemoryCache, MemoryCache>();

Benefits:

● Reduces memory overhead by ensuring only one instance of a service is

created.
● Useful for shared resources like caches, logging services, or
configurations.

3. Dependency Injection (DI) Pattern

Dependency Injection (DI) is an architectural pattern that is highly recommended

and natively supported by ASP.NET Core. It is used to inject dependencies (like
services, repositories, etc.) into classes rather than hard-coding them.

● Usage: In the project, services (e.g., ProductService, OrderService)

and repositories are injected into controllers using constructor injection.
ASP.NET Core’s built-in DI container resolves these dependencies when
needed.

public class ProductController : ControllerBase

{
private readonly IProductService _productService;

public ProductController(IProductService productService)

{
_productService = productService;
}

[HttpGet]
public async Task<IActionResult> GetProducts()
{
var products = await _productService.GetAllProductsAsync();
return Ok(products);
}
}

Benefits:

● Promotes loose coupling by allowing dependencies to be easily swapped

or mocked during testing.
● Improves testability, as dependencies can be mocked for unit testing.
● Enhances maintainability and flexibility by separating the creation of
objects from their usage.

1. Repository Pattern

The Repository Pattern is one of the core patterns in this project, primarily used
in the Data Access Layer. This pattern abstracts the database interactions,
allowing the business logic to remain unaware of the underlying data source (e.g.,
SQL Server, MySQL).

● Usage: The repository pattern provides a collection-like interface for

accessing domain entities, such as Products, Orders, and Users.
● Example:
In the ProductRepository, you define methods like
GetAllProducts(), GetProductById(int id),
AddProduct(Product product), which encapsulate the CRUD
operations for the Product entity.

Benefits:

● Decouples business logic from data access logic.

● Promotes separation of concerns, making the system more flexible.
● Easier to swap or modify the data access technology (e.g., switch from
SQL Server to MongoDB).

"In the e-commerce project, I primarily worked on the User Management, Product
Management, Shopping Cart, and Order Management modules. I developed APIs for
user registration, login, and role-based access control, as well as CRUD operations for
managing products and categories. I also contributed to the Shopping Cart module by
implementing features like adding/removing products and calculating the cart total.
Additionally, I worked on the Order Management module to handle order placement and
track order status. These modules allowed me to apply key skills such as handling
business logic, database interactions, and third-party integrations."

1. User Management Module:

● Why: User management involves handling common tasks like user

registration, login, and role-based authentication, which are essential but
relatively straightforward.
● Your Contribution: You might have implemented features like user
registration, JWT-based authentication, and password reset, as well as
worked with role-based access control (e.g., defining admin and customer
roles).
● Tasks:
○ Implemented authentication using JWT tokens.
○ Created user registration and login APIs.
○ Integrated password reset via email.

2. Product Management Module:

● Why: Product management includes basic CRUD operations (Create, Read,

Update, Delete), which are common tasks for beginner-to-intermediate
developers.
● Your Contribution: You may have worked on building APIs to manage
products, categories, and product variants (size, color, etc.).
● Tasks:
○ Developed APIs for adding, updating, and deleting products.
○ Implemented product search and category filtering.
○ Integrated image uploading for products.

3. Shopping Cart Module:

● Why: Managing the shopping cart is a critical part of the e-commerce

process, yet it is relatively easy to implement with well-defined logic and
basic state management.
● Your Contribution: You could have contributed to building functionality to
add/remove products from the cart, manage quantities, and calculate
totals.
● Tasks:
○ Created APIs to add products to the cart, update quantities, and
remove items.
○ Managed cart sessions for users and guests.
○ Calculated totals, taxes, and applied discounts.

4. Order Management Module:

● Why: Order management is another key module that involves business

logic and CRUD operations. Managing orders, updating order status, and
viewing order history are typical tasks for intermediate developers.
● Your Contribution: You might have worked on placing orders, viewing
order details, and managing the order lifecycle (e.g., pending, shipped,
delivered).
● Tasks:
 ○ Developed APIs to place orders, track order status, and update
delivery details.
○ Implemented order history for customers.
○ Ensured that product stock updates when orders are placed.

5. Payment Module (Basic Integration):

● Why: Although integrating payment gateways can be complex, beginner

developers may be assigned to integrate or work on simpler parts of the
payment process, such as sending payment data to third-party providers
(Stripe, PayPal).
● Your Contribution: You may have handled payment initiation and response
handling from third-party payment gateways.
● Tasks:
○ Implemented basic payment processing using Stripe/PayPal APIs.
○ Created payment callback endpoints to confirm payment status.
○ Tested and handled payment failures and error responses.

6. Customer Review and Rating Module:

● Why: This module is straightforward, involving CRUD operations for

reviews and ratings. It is often assigned to intermediate developers as it
requires building forms and managing review moderation.
● Your Contribution: You might have built APIs for customers to submit
reviews and ratings, as well as functionality to display reviews on the
product pages.
● Tasks:
○ Created APIs for adding and viewing product reviews.
○ Managed ratings and review moderation.
○ Implemented validation to prevent duplicate or inappropriate
reviews.

7. Wishlist Module:

● Why: The wishlist module involves simple CRUD operations, making it a

good starting point for beginner developers.
● Your Contribution: You could have contributed to creating APIs to
add/remove products from the wishlist and retrieve the wishlist items.
● Tasks:
○ Developed APIs for adding/removing products to/from the wishlist.
○ Created functionality for users to view their wishlist.

"In the e-commerce project, we followed the Agile SDLC model, which allowed us to
work in sprints of 2-3 weeks. Each sprint focused on developing specific modules, such
as user management, product management, and shopping cart functionality. We began
with requirements gathering and user story creation, followed by design and iterative
development. Throughout the process, we used continuous integration and testing to
ensure that all modules were properly tested and deployed.

Why Agile SDLC Fits for an E-commerce Project:

1. Iterative Development:
 ○ E-commerce platforms are continuously evolving, and new features
(like adding payment gateways or improving user experience) are
regularly required.
○ Agile allows the development team to work in sprints (usually 2-4
weeks), delivering incremental updates to the system, adding new
features in each cycle.
2. Flexibility & Adaptability:
○ Requirements in an e-commerce system can change rapidly, based
on customer feedback, market trends, or business needs.
○ Agile allows teams to adapt quickly, embracing change even late in
the development cycle.
3. Frequent Testing & Continuous Integration:
○ Agile emphasizes continuous testing and integration. In each
sprint, new features or modules (like product management or
payment integration) are tested and integrated into the main
system.
○ This ensures that bugs are caught early and the system remains
stable even with frequent changes.
4. Customer-Centric:
○ E-commerce projects are driven by customer needs and feedback.
Agile focuses on delivering customer value quickly, with regular
feedback loops from clients or stakeholders.
○ Regular reviews and demonstrations of progress ensure that the
project stays aligned with business goals.

"In our e-commerce project, we had a well-balanced Agile team of around 8-10
members. This included 2 backend developers focusing on the ASP.NET Core Web API,
1 frontend developer working on the user interface, and 1 DevOps engineer who handled
the deployment and cloud infrastructure. We also had 1-2 QA testers ensuring the
quality of the application, along with a Product Owner and Scrum Master managing the
backlog and sprint processes. Collaboration was key as we worked in 2-week sprints,
delivering new features regularly."

"In our e-commerce project, we followed a 2-week sprint cycle. Each sprint started with
a sprint planning meeting where we defined the scope for the upcoming 2 weeks. Every
day, we held a daily stand-up to track progress, and at the end of each sprint, we
conducted a sprint review to demo the new features and gather feedback from the
stakeholders. Finally, we held a sprint retrospective to improve our processes in the
following sprint."

"In our e-commerce project, the Product Owner was responsible for defining and
prioritizing the user stories based on business needs. During sprint planning, the
development team collaboratively reviewed the stories and estimated the effort
required. As developers, we were responsible for self-assigning tasks based on our
expertise. For example, I typically worked on backend tasks related to user management
and product management APIs, while other team members focused on frontend or
integration tasks. The Scrum Master facilitated the process and ensured we stayed on
track, but task assignment was a collaborative effort."

"For version control, we primarily used Git in our e-commerce project, integrated with
Azure DevOps for our CI/CD pipeline.
"In our e-commerce project, we chose to implement JWT for user authentication due to
its stateless nature, which aligns well with our RESTful API design. This allowed us to
easily scale across multiple servers without worrying about session data persistence.
For maintaining the shopping cart state, we considered using server-side sessions to
manage temporary data while the user browsed the site.

1. Sessions
Advantages:

● Simplicity: Easy to implement for basic user authentication and state

management.
● Server-side storage: Session data is stored on the server, allowing for
easy data manipulation and storage (like shopping carts).
● Immediate state updates: Any changes to session data can be reflected
instantly on the server.

Disadvantages:

● Scalability: Sessions stored in memory can cause issues when scaling

horizontally across multiple servers. If a request is handled by a different
server instance, it may not have access to the session data.
● Stateful: Sessions are inherently stateful, which can lead to complications
in a RESTful architecture, which is designed to be stateless.
● Limited duration: Sessions typically have timeouts, which can log users
out unexpectedly if inactive.

2. JWT (JSON Web Tokens)

Advantages:

● Stateless: JWTs are stateless, meaning they contain all the information
needed to authenticate a user without storing any session data on the
server. This is ideal for a RESTful API.
● Scalability: JWTs can be easily scaled across multiple servers or
microservices because they are self-contained and do not rely on server-
side storage.
● Cross-domain support: JWTs can be sent across different domains,
making them suitable for SPAs (Single Page Applications) and mobile
applications.
● Built-in expiration: JWTs can have expiration times, enhancing security by
limiting the validity period of the token.

Disadvantages:

● Token Revocation: Once issued, a JWT remains valid until it expires, which
can be a security concern if a user logs out or if a token is compromised.
Implementing revocation strategies can add complexity.
● Increased Payload: The token size can grow, especially if it contains
extensive claims, potentially increasing the overhead in network requests.
● Complexity: Managing JWT signing, validation, and expiration can be more
complex compared to sessions.
Recommendations for Your E-commerce Project:

1. Use JWT for Authentication:

○ Given the stateless nature of RESTful APIs, JWTs are generally
preferred for user authentication. They provide better scalability,
particularly for an e-commerce platform that may need to handle
many simultaneous users and scale horizontally.
○ Implement JWT for user login and authentication, allowing users to
maintain their session across requests without needing server-side
session storage.
2. Use Sessions for State Management:
○ For temporary data like shopping carts, you could still use sessions
if you want to maintain server-side state. This can help keep track
of items the user intends to purchase while browsing.
○ Alternatively, you can store shopping cart data in a database or
client-side storage (like cookies or local storage) if scalability is a
concern.

"In our e-commerce application, we implemented a strategy for handling abandoned

carts. For logged-in users, we saved their cart items in the database, ensuring that they
would see their previously added items whenever they returned to the site, regardless of
how much time had passed. For anonymous users, we utilized local storage to persist
cart items across sessions, allowing them to return to the site and find their selections
intact.

Local Storage: The items will persist until explicitly cleared by the user or the
application.

Session Storage: The items will be cleared when the user closes the browser tab or
window.

When developing web applications, understanding the differences between

Client-Side Cookies and Local Storage is crucial for effective data management.
Here’s a breakdown of their key characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and
use cases:

Client-Side Cookies
Characteristics:

● Storage Capacity: Limited to around 4KB per cookie.

● Expiration: Can set specific expiration dates. If no expiration is set, the
cookie is deleted when the browser session ends.
● Data Format: Stores data as key-value pairs and is sent to the server with
every HTTP request.
● Accessibility: Accessible from both JavaScript and server-side code.

Advantages:

● Expiration Control: Cookies can be set to expire at specific times or after

specific durations.
 ● HTTP-Only Option: Cookies can be flagged as HttpOnly, preventing client-
side scripts from accessing them, which enhances security against XSS
attacks.
● Sent with Requests: Cookies are automatically included in HTTP requests,
making them useful for session management and authentication.

Disadvantages:

● Size Limitation: Limited to 4KB, which is insufficient for storing large

amounts of data.
● Performance Overhead: Cookies are sent with every HTTP request, which
can slow down network performance if too many cookies are used.
● Complexity: Managing cookies can become complex due to various
attributes (like path, domain, expiration).

Local Storage
Characteristics:

● Storage Capacity: Typically allows for around 5MB (varies by browser).

● Expiration: Data persists until explicitly deleted; does not expire
automatically.
● Data Format: Stores data as key-value pairs in a string format.
● Accessibility: Only accessible via JavaScript running on the client side.

Advantages:

● Larger Capacity: More suitable for storing larger amounts of data (up to
several megabytes).
● No Network Overhead: Data stored in local storage is not sent with HTTP
requests, improving performance.
● Simplicity: Simple API for storing and retrieving data (e.g.,
localStorage.setItem() and localStorage.getItem()).

Disadvantages:

● No Expiration Control: Data persists indefinitely until explicitly removed,

which can lead to stale data if not managed properly.
● Vulnerability: Accessible through JavaScript, making it susceptible to XSS
attacks if not handled properly.
● Not Sent with Requests: Unlike cookies, local storage data is not
automatically sent to the server with requests.

When to Use Each

Use Cookies When:

● You need to store small amounts of data that should be sent with HTTP
requests, such as authentication tokens or session identifiers.
● You want to implement expiration policies for specific data.
● You require server-side access to the data (like session management).

Use Local Storage When:

 ● You need to store larger amounts of data (like user preferences, shopping
cart items, or application state).
● You don’t need the data to be sent with HTTP requests.
● You want simpler API usage without dealing with expiration and network
overhead.

"In our e-commerce application, we utilized both client-side cookies and local
storage based on specific requirements. We used cookies to manage user
authentication tokens, as cookies allow for expiration control and are
automatically sent with HTTP requests. For managing the shopping cart, we
opted for local storage because it allows us to store larger amounts of data
without the performance overhead associated with cookies.

Are we using state management techniques for the above project ?

"In our e-commerce application, we implemented several state management

techniques to enhance user experience and data consistency. We utilized
session management to store temporary data like shopping cart items while
users browsed the site. For users logged into their accounts, we saved cart items
and preferences in a database, ensuring that data persisted across sessions.
Additionally, we employed local storage to keep track of user settings and
preferences, which allowed for a seamless experience when users returned to the
site.

In our e-commerce application, we opted to store session data using distributed

caching with Redis. This choice allowed us to maintain user sessions
consistently across multiple server instances, enhancing scalability and
performance. Each user's session data included their shopping cart items and
preferences, which remained accessible regardless of which server handled their
requests. This approach not only improved the user experience but also ensured
that we could effectively manage session data as the application grew.

2. Distributed Caching

● Description: For larger applications or those requiring high availability, you

can use distributed caching solutions (like Redis or SQL Server) to store
session data. ASP.NET Core supports various caching mechanisms out of
the box.
● Usage: Distributed caching allows session data to be shared across
multiple server instances. This means that users can maintain their
sessions regardless of which server handles their requests. It's suitable for
applications that expect to scale and have multiple instances running.

"In our e-commerce application, we implemented robust authentication and

authorization mechanisms to ensure secure access to resources. We used JWT
for authentication, where users receive a token upon successful login. This token
must be included in the headers of requests to access protected endpoints. For
authorization, we employed role-based access control to manage user
permissions. Specific actions, such as managing products or accessing the
admin dashboard, are restricted to users with the appropriate roles, ensuring that
only authorized users can perform sensitive actions.
 1. Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user.

Methods of Authentication:

● JWT (JSON Web Tokens): Commonly used for token-based authentication,

especially for APIs. After a user logs in successfully, a JWT is issued,
which they must send with each subsequent request to access protected
resources.
● OAuth/OpenID Connect: If you want to allow users to log in using third-
party services (like Google or Facebook), you can implement OAuth or
OpenID Connect.

2. Authorization

Authorization is the process of determining whether a user has permission to

perform a certain action or access a specific resource. This can be role-based or
policy-based.

3. Where to Use Authentication and Authorization:

● Login and Registration: Implement authentication in the login and

registration endpoints to validate user credentials and create user
accounts.
● Protected Resources: Use authorization to secure endpoints that should
only be accessible to certain users (e.g., admin features, payment
processing).

What SOLID principles are used in the above project?

1. Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)

Definition: A class should have only one reason to change, meaning it should only have
one job or responsibility.

Application: Each class or service in your application should focus on a single task.

Example: Instead of a single OrderService class that handles order creation, payment
processing, and notification, you can split it into OrderService, PaymentService,
and NotificationService.

2. Open/Closed Principle (OCP)

● Definition: Software entities should be open for extension but closed for
modification.
● Application:
○ Use interfaces and abstract classes to allow for new functionalities
without changing existing code. This is useful when adding new
payment methods or product types.
○ Example: If you have a PaymentProcessor interface, you can
create new classes like CreditCardPaymentProcessor or
 PayPalPaymentProcessor that implement this interface without
altering the existing payment processing code.

3. Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)

● Definition: Subtypes must be substitutable for their base types without

altering the correctness of the program.
● Application:
○ Ensure that derived classes can be used in place of their base
classes without causing issues.

Example: If you have a base class Discount and derived classes

PercentageDiscount and FlatRateDiscount, using any of these classes in a
pricing calculation should yield correct results without specific handling logic for each
type.

4. Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)

● Definition: Clients should not be forced to depend on interfaces they do

not use. Instead of one large interface, multiple smaller ones should be
created.
● Application:
○ Define specific interfaces for different functionalities so that
classes only implement methods that are relevant to them.
○ Example: Instead of a single IProductService interface with
methods for managing products, inventory, and orders, you could
have separate interfaces like IProductService,
IInventoryService, and IOrderService.

In an e-commerce application developed with ASP.NET Core, implementing the

SOLID principles can greatly enhance the system's maintainability, scalability, and
overall design. The SOLID principles are a set of five design principles that help
developers create better software. Here's how each principle can be applied in
your e-commerce project:

1. Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)

● Definition: A class should have only one reason to change, meaning it

should only have one job or responsibility.
● Application:
○ Each class or service in your application should focus on a single
task. For example, you might have separate services for handling
user authentication, product management, order processing, and
payment processing.
○ Example: Instead of a single OrderService class that handles
order creation, payment processing, and notification, you can split it
into OrderService, PaymentService, and
NotificationService.

2. Open/Closed Principle (OCP)

 ● Definition: Software entities should be open for extension but closed for
modification.
● Application:
○ Use interfaces and abstract classes to allow for new functionalities
without changing existing code. This is useful when adding new
payment methods or product types.
○ Example: If you have a PaymentProcessor interface, you can
create new classes like CreditCardPaymentProcessor or
PayPalPaymentProcessor that implement this interface without
altering the existing payment processing code.

3. Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)

● Definition: Subtypes must be substitutable for their base types without

altering the correctness of the program.
● Application:
○ Ensure that derived classes can be used in place of their base
classes without causing issues. This is especially relevant for
polymorphic behavior, such as different types of discounts or
shipping methods.
○ Example: If you have a base class Discount and derived classes
PercentageDiscount and FlatRateDiscount, using any of
these classes in a pricing calculation should yield correct results
without specific handling logic for each type.

4. Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)

● Definition: Clients should not be forced to depend on interfaces they do

not use. Instead of one large interface, multiple smaller ones should be
created.
● Application:
○ Define specific interfaces for different functionalities so that
classes only implement methods that are relevant to them.
○ Example: Instead of a single IProductService interface with
methods for managing products, inventory, and orders, you could
have separate interfaces like IProductService,
IInventoryService, and IOrderService.

5. Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP)

● Definition: High-level modules should not depend on low-level modules.

Both should depend on abstractions.
● Application:
○ Use dependency injection (DI) to manage class dependencies. This
promotes loose coupling and makes testing easier by allowing for
mock implementations.
○ Example: In your controllers, inject services through the constructor
rather than creating instances directly. This allows you to swap out
implementations easily, such as for testing purposes.
 "In our e-commerce application, we adhered to the SOLID principles to enhance the
design and maintainability of the system. For instance, we applied the Single
Responsibility Principle by separating our services into distinct classes like
OrderService and PaymentService, each focusing on a specific area of
functionality. We also employed the Open/Closed Principle by using interfaces for
payment processing, allowing us to add new payment methods without modifying
existing code.the Dependency Inversion Principle was implemented using dependency
injection, allowing for easier testing and better separation of concerns.

"In our e-commerce project, we utilized Visual Studio 2022 as our integrated
development environment due to its robust features, including advanced debugging
tools, Azure integration, and a variety of project templates specifically designed for
ASP.NET Core applications. We chose ASP.NET Core 6 as our framework because of its
high performance, cross-platform capabilities, and modular architecture, which allows
us to build efficient and scalable applications.

Built-in Dependency Injection: Simplifies managing dependencies and enhances

testability.

Unified Programming Model: Combines MVC and Web API into a single programming
model, making it easier to create web applications with both server-rendered views and
API endpoints.

Long-Term Support (LTS):

"In our e-commerce application, we primarily run our APIs using Kestrel during local
development for its simplicity and support for hot-reloading. For production, we host our
APIs on IIS, which allows us to take advantage of its robust security features and
process management.

"In our development process, we use Git as our version control system. To push code, I
first ensure that my local repository is linked to the remote repository. After making my
changes, I stage them using git add ., commit them with a descriptive message
using git commit -m 'Your message', and then push the changes to the main
branch with git push origin main. If I'm working on a feature branch, I'll push to
that specific branch instead. We also make use of SSH keys for secure authentication
when pushing our code."

In an e-commerce application, the protected access modifier can be particularly useful for
managing access to shared properties and methods in a class hierarchy.

. Shopping Cart

In the shopping cart system, you might have a base class Cart that contains protected
properties for items and the total price. Derived classes like DiscountedCart can access and
modify these properties while adding specialized behavior.