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abp-core

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Core ABP Framework conventions - module system, DI registration, base classes (ApplicationService, DomainService), IClock, BusinessException, localization, async patterns. Use when working on any ABP project, asking about ABP fundamentals, or unsure which skill applies.

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ABP Core Conventions

Documentation: https://abp.io/docs/latest API Reference: https://abp.io/docs/api/

Key Rules

  • Use IClock / Clock.Now instead of DateTime.Now / DateTime.UtcNow
  • Use ITransientDependency / ISingletonDependency instead of AddScoped/AddTransient/AddSingleton
  • Use IRepository<T> instead of injecting DbContext directly
  • Check base class properties (Clock, CurrentUser, GuidGenerator, L) before injecting services
  • Use BusinessException with namespaced error codes for domain rule violations

Module System

Every ABP application/module has a module class that configures services:

[DependsOn(
    typeof(AbpDddDomainModule),
    typeof(AbpEntityFrameworkCoreModule)
)]
public class MyAppModule : AbpModule
{
    public override void ConfigureServices(ServiceConfigurationContext context)
    {
        // Service registration and configuration
    }
}

Note: Middleware configuration (OnApplicationInitialization) should only be done in the final host application, not in reusable modules.

Dependency Injection Conventions

Automatic Registration

ABP automatically registers services implementing marker interfaces:

  • ITransientDependency → Transient lifetime
  • ISingletonDependency → Singleton lifetime
  • IScopedDependency → Scoped lifetime

Classes inheriting from ApplicationService, DomainService, AbpController are also auto-registered.

Repository Usage

You can use the generic IRepository<TEntity, TKey> for simple CRUD operations. Define custom repository interfaces only when you need custom query methods:

// Simple CRUD - Generic repository is fine
public class BookAppService : ApplicationService
{
    private readonly IRepository<Book, Guid> _bookRepository; // ✅ OK for simple operations
}

// Custom queries needed - Define custom interface
public interface IBookRepository : IRepository<Book, Guid>
{
    Task<Book> FindByNameAsync(string name); // Custom query
}

public class BookAppService : ApplicationService
{
    private readonly IBookRepository _bookRepository; // ✅ Use custom when needed
}

Exposing Services

[ExposeServices(typeof(IMyService))]
public class MyService : IMyService, ITransientDependency { }

Important Base Classes

Base ClassPurpose
Entity<TKey>Basic entity with ID
AggregateRoot<TKey>DDD aggregate root
DomainServiceDomain business logic
ApplicationServiceUse case orchestration
AbpControllerREST API controller

ABP base classes already inject commonly used services as properties. Before injecting a service, check if it's already available:

PropertyAvailable InDescription
GuidGeneratorAll base classesGenerate GUIDs
ClockAll base classesCurrent time (use instead of DateTime)
CurrentUserAll base classesAuthenticated user info
CurrentTenantAll base classesMulti-tenancy context
L (StringLocalizer)ApplicationService, AbpControllerLocalization
AuthorizationServiceApplicationService, AbpControllerPermission checks
FeatureCheckerApplicationService, AbpControllerFeature availability
DataFilterAll base classesData filtering (soft-delete, tenant)
UnitOfWorkManagerApplicationService, DomainServiceUnit of work management
LoggerFactoryAll base classesCreate loggers
LoggerAll base classesLogging (auto-created)
LazyServiceProviderAll base classesLazy service resolution

Useful methods from base classes:

  • CheckPolicyAsync() - Check permission and throw if not granted
  • IsGrantedAsync() - Check permission without throwing

Async Best Practices

  • Use async all the way - never use .Result or .Wait()
  • All async methods should end with Async suffix
  • ABP automatically handles CancellationToken in most cases (e.g., from HttpContext.RequestAborted)
  • Only pass CancellationToken explicitly when implementing custom cancellation logic

Time Handling

Never use DateTime.Now or DateTime.UtcNow directly. Use ABP's IClock service:

// In classes inheriting from base classes (ApplicationService, DomainService, etc.)
public class BookAppService : ApplicationService
{
    public void DoSomething()
    {
        var now = Clock.Now; // ✅ Already available as property
    }
}

// In other services - inject IClock
public class MyService : ITransientDependency
{
    private readonly IClock _clock;

    public MyService(IClock clock) => _clock = clock;

    public void DoSomething()
    {
        var now = _clock.Now; // ✅ Correct
        // var now = DateTime.Now; // ❌ Wrong - not testable, ignores timezone settings
    }
}

Tip: Before injecting a service, check if it's already available as a property in your base classes.

Business Exceptions

Use BusinessException for domain rule violations with namespaced error codes:

throw new BusinessException("MyModule:BookNameAlreadyExists")
    .WithData("Name", bookName);

Configure localization mapping:

Configure<AbpExceptionLocalizationOptions>(options =>
{
    options.MapCodeNamespace("MyModule", typeof(MyModuleResource));
});

Localization

  • In base classes (ApplicationService, AbpController, etc.): Use L["Key"] - this is the IStringLocalizer property
  • In other services: Inject IStringLocalizer<TResource>
  • Always localize user-facing messages and exceptions

Localization file location: *.Domain.Shared/Localization/{ResourceName}/{lang}.json

// Example: MyProject.Domain.Shared/Localization/MyProject/en.json
{
  "culture": "en",
  "texts": {
    "Menu:Home": "Home",
    "Welcome": "Welcome",
    "BookName": "Book Name"
  }
}

❌ Never Use (ABP Anti-Patterns)

Don't UseUse Instead
Minimal APIsABP Controllers or Auto API Controllers
MediatRApplication Services
DbContext directly in App ServicesIRepository<T>
AddScoped/AddTransient/AddSingletonITransientDependency, ISingletonDependency
DateTime.NowIClock / Clock.Now
Custom UnitOfWorkABP's IUnitOfWorkManager
Manual HTTP calls from UIABP client proxies (generate-proxy)
Hardcoded role checksPermission-based authorization
Business logic in ControllersApplication Services