what is the entry point for an asp.net mvc 4 application?

Question

I am learning my way around an MVC 4 application but am new to the mvc platform. If I were learning a new java application, I would start reading code from the main method and go from there. What is the analog for an asp.net mvc application?

I launch the application from the following URL: http://server/directory/home?iv-user=tuser

Answer 1

The Global.asax.cs file, where there is the start method Application_Start might be what you are looking for. That is the code which is run when the app starts.

protected void Application_Start()
{
    ...
    RouteConfig.RegisterRoutes(RouteTable.Routes);
    ...
}

But looking at the url you have posted it might be the HomeController or DirectoryController file. Unfortunately, I cannot tell that from looking at your route.

A sample route register code is as below where we can see that

1. The URL /{controller}/{action}/{id}

2. The default for controller/action/id is Home/Index/optional

So if you run your web with the starting url as http://localhost:52763/, it is indeed will call http://localhost:52763/Home/Index

public static void RegisterRoutes(RouteCollection routes)
{
    routes.IgnoreRoute("{resource}.axd/{*pathInfo}");
    routes.MapRoute(
        name: "Default",
        url: "{controller}/{action}/{id}",
        defaults: new { controller = "Home", action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional }
    );
}

Answer 2

It's HTTP. You make a request to the web server for a resource, as you have specified above, and the controller responds.

So in ASP.NET MVC, you have multiple entry points: each action method.

MSDN Controllers and Action Methods in ASP.NET MVC

Answer 3

There is an application_start() method in global.asax.cs. As for the controller's concern for the request, its starts in the constructor of the controller then the method for the requested action.