Tutorials ASP.NET Core Web API Tutorial
How to Implement Logging using nLog in ASP.NET Core Web API — Complete Guide
How to Implement Logging using nLog in ASP.NET Core Web API — Complete Guide: free step-by-step lesson with examples, common mistakes, and interview tips — part of ASP.NET Core Web API Tutorial on Toolliyo Academy.
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ASP.NET Core Web API Tutorial · Lesson 107 of 175
How to Implement Logging using nLog in ASP.NET Core Web API
Beginner ✓ → Intermediate ✓ → Advanced → Professional
Advanced · 3 — Security & patterns · ~10 min · Module 9: Logging
What is this?
nLog is a flexible logging library with file, database, and email targets — alternative to Serilog.
Why should you care?
Many enterprise codebases still use nLog. Knowing both Serilog and nLog helps you join existing teams.
See it live — copy this example
Create a Web API (dotnet new webapi), paste the example, run dotnet run, test in Swagger.
// nlog.config + Program.cs
builder.Logging.ClearProviders();
builder.Host.UseNLog();Run Example »
This lesson uses terminal or setup steps. Run commands on your computer — the live editor appears on coding lessons.
What happened?
- Follow the practice steps below on ShopNest.API — typing code yourself is the fastest way to learn.
Try it yourself
- Install NLog.Web.AspNetCore.
- Add nlog.config with file target.
- Inject ILogger and log test message.
- Change a route URL or DTO property and save — test again in Swagger or curl.
- Return the wrong status code on purpose (404 instead of 200) and see what the client shows.
Remember
Interview prep for this lesson
Practice these questions aloud after reading—each links to a full structured answer.
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