What is the difference between web config and machine config?

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Web config file is specific to a web application where as machine config is specific to a machine or server. There can be multiple web config files into an application where as we can have only one machine config file on a server.

In an ASP.NET interview, if you’re asked about the difference between web.config and machine.config, you can provide the following explanation:

  1. Scope:
    • machine.config: This file is located in the CONFIG directory of the .NET Framework installation and applies settings globally to the entire machine.
    • web.config: This file is located in the root directory of an ASP.NET application and applies settings specifically to that application. It inherits settings from machine.config but can also override them or define additional settings specific to the application.
  2. Usage:
    • machine.config: Typically, settings in this file are set once for the entire machine and are shared across multiple applications running on that machine. It contains settings related to machine-wide configurations such as database connections, security settings, and system.web settings.
    • web.config: This file is specific to each ASP.NET application and allows developers to configure settings that are particular to that application, such as authentication modes, custom error pages, session state configurations, etc.
  3. Hierarchy:
    • machine.config: Acts as the base configuration file for all ASP.NET applications on the machine. Settings specified here are inherited by web.config files of individual applications unless overridden.
    • web.config: Overrides or extends settings from machine.config. Settings defined here apply specifically to the application and take precedence over settings in machine.config.
  4. Accessibility:
    • machine.config: Requires administrative privileges to modify since it affects settings at the machine level.
    • web.config: Can be modified by developers with appropriate access permissions to the application directory since it applies specifically to that application.

In summary, machine.config provides machine-level configuration settings that are inherited by all ASP.NET applications running on the machine, while web.config allows developers to configure settings specific to individual applications, which override or extend settings inherited from machine.config.