ASP.NET Web API- Should you choose it or ditch it?


Whilst the quick availability of a large number of APIs used for building high-end HTTP based applications, ASP.NET Web API has been successful in creating a unique benchmark. Serving as the core ASP.NET runtime for building HTTP content, ASP.NET API has definitely addressed a whole range of issues that existed in the process of building highly consumable HTTP services rather than mere HTML content.

Whilst the quick availability of a large number of APIs used for building high-end HTTP based applications, ASP.NET Web API has been successful in creating a unique benchmark. Serving as the core ASP.NET runtime for building HTTP content, ASP.NET API has definitely addressed a whole range of issues that existed in the process of building highly consumable HTTP services rather than mere HTML content.


Its feasible to build just about any type of HTTP service with ASP.NET Web API


Right from offering you raw HTTP Handlers and modules in the core ASP.NET runtime to some of the high-level platforms such as: Web Forms, ASP.NET AJAX,
ASP.NET MVC and WCF REST engine, ASP.NET offers you complete ease of handling just about any kind of HTTL requests and responses to help you deliver high-end ASP.NET Outsourcing Services.


An improved HTTP experience is possible with ASP.NET Web API


Unlike the previously available Microsoft in-box HTTP Service solutions, ASP.NET Web API has been built using specific messaging semantics and an exclusive HTTP protocol. By combining the best features of web platforms available before it, ASP.NET Web API has borrowed some of the most interesting concepts from the popular ASP.NET MVC and Web API frameworks. Some interesting features of ASP.NET Web API worth making a note of include the following:


-Strong support for a host of output formats including XML, JSON and ATOM
-An impressive default support for REST semantics
-An in-depth support for advanced HTTP features that are available via HttpRequestMessage and HttpResponseMessage classes
-Highly extensible by being based on MVC-like extensibility model of Formatters and Filters
-Easily testable via the testing concepts similar to the ones followed in ASP.NET MVC


Failure to understand the fundamental differences between Web API and MVC Platform can be highly daunting


Portraying to be quite similar, both ASP.NET Web API and ASP.NET MVC frameworks share some noticeable differences when it comes to dealing with some typical web applications which apart from creating HTML also use the AJAX functioning for an overall improved app performance. As someone who's involved in delivering HTTP services, you need to be familiar with this difference between ASP.NET Web API and ASP.NET MVC frameworks. You also need to know that Web API isn't a full replacement for MVC simply because there exists not the same level of support for feeding HTML from Web API Controllers. Code duplication can turn to be major issue when it comes to building an MVC application that exposes a Web API. Under such a scenario, you may feel the need for creating an authentication logic for the HTML application as well as the Web API, which may consume a lot of your time and energy.


Summary


Well, taking a look at the above mentioned scenarios, I leave the decision of choosing or ditching ASP.NET Web API up to. Although, Web API is undoubtedly seen as a great addition to the ASP.NET web development platforms, there are some half-baked features which still require the community's immediate attention. So, as an aware ASP.NET programmer, make sure to upgrade to Web API only after you are thoroughly confident that the features incorporated into the same will turn fruitful for building stunning HTTP data interfaces.


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