As modern applications grow more complex, the need for reliable background processing becomes crucial. Enter .NET Worker Services - a powerful solution for handling background tasks in your applications. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about Worker Services, from basic concepts to practical implementation.
We needed to let users download ATM transaction data as Excel and CSV files. The catch? We're dealing with sensitive financial data, so everything needs to be PCI compliant (secure). Here's how we went from the old way to a modern, secure solution in just 1.5 hours.
The evolution of Windows Services from VB.NET 3.0 to .NET 8 mirrors the broader transformation in software development. In the VB.NET days, creating a Windows Service was like navigating a labyrinth. Developers wrestled with Visual Studio Service templates, meticulously crafted service installer classes, and managed XML configurations in App.config files. The deployment process hinged on InstallUtil.exe, a temperamental command-line tool that demanded specific permissions. Even basic tasks like implementing a FileSystemWatcher required complex setups within Windows Forms applications.
Enter .NET 8, and the landscape has dramatically simplified.
Imagine you need to monitor a directory for new files, perhaps for processing financial transactions or handling automated data imports. You need a service that:
Runs continuously
Monitors a specific directory
Processes new files as they arrive
Maintains security and stability
Restarts automatically if it fails
Let's create a File Watcher Service that fulfills these requirements. We'll build upon our Worker Service knowledge and add file system monitoring capabilities.
