ASP.NET Core allows you to deploy your applications in a self-contained manner, ensuring they are platform-independent. This means that all the necessary runtime components are included with the application, eliminating the need for specific dependencies on the host system and providing portability.

To implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in ASP.NET Core Identity, you must enable the TwoFactorEnabled property for the user. This property is used to control whether 2FA is active for a user account. When enabled, it allows the user to set up and use 2FA methods like SMS codes or authenticator apps for added security.

To limit the elements on which a custom tag helper is applied, you can set the ApplyTo property. This property specifies the HTML elements or attributes to which the tag helper can be applied, providing precise control over its usage.

Docker Desktop is a tool integration in Visual Studio that provides tools for building, running, and orchestrating Docker containers. It's essential for containerizing ASP.NET Core applications, especially in a microservices architecture, where containerization and orchestration are crucial for scalability and manageability. Docker Compose is used for defining and running multi-container Docker applications but is not integrated directly into Visual Studio. Kubernetes and Azure DevOps are valuable tools but not integrated directly in Visual Studio for containerization.

For a CMS platform where frontend and backend logic are closely intertwined, the MVC (Model-View-Controller) project structure would be the most suitable choice. MVC allows for the seamless integration of frontend and backend components, making it easier to manage complex interactions and maintain a unified user experience.

In the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern, the "View" component is responsible for displaying data to users. It defines the structure and layout of the web pages, presenting data from the model in a user-friendly format. Controllers handle the request processing, but views handle the presentation of data to the users.

Attribute routes are typically found in Controller Actions within an MVC application. Controllers use attribute routing to define custom routes for their action methods, which can be more readable and maintainable than convention-based routing.

In an ASP.NET Core project, the "Program.cs" file serves as the entry point of the application. It contains the Main method, which creates the web host and starts the application. This is where the application configuration and host building occur before the application starts listening for incoming requests.

To configure session timeout in ASP.NET Core, you should use the "app.UseSession" method in the "Configure" method of the Startup.cs file. The session timeout can be set using the "IdleTimeout" property in the services.Configure method. This middleware enables session state in the application, and configuring the timeout here is the correct approach.

ASP.NET Core Web APIs primarily use the JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format for transmitting data. JSON is lightweight, human-readable, and widely supported, making it a popular choice for APIs.

The UseStaticFiles middleware is responsible for serving static files, such as CSS and images, to clients. If users can't access these files, you might have forgotten to configure this middleware in the Startup.cs file. Ensure you've included app.UseStaticFiles(); in your Configure method to serve these files properly.

Exception handling in ASP.NET Core is crucial for maintaining the stability and reliability of applications. It allows developers to gracefully handle errors, provide meaningful error messages to users, and prevent crashes that could otherwise disrupt the user experience.