A
web API can be defined as a Restful framework for building http
services. What do we mean by Restful? It is an architectural style
that abstracts the architectural elements within a distributed
system. It needs to be remembered that Web API is not exactly a
replacement for WCF (Windows communication foundation) and must be
used only if you are working with http. In short, it is an API for
both the web browser and web server.
The
Asp .net web API is a framework for building HTTP services that can
be used by a wide range of clients including mobiles, iphone,
browsers, and tablets. As a web API, it has minimal friction and
provides multiple hosting options. Your job is also simplified by the
fact that it does not need multiple protocols.
Though
not a part of the MVC Framework, it is very similar to ASP.NET MVC
since it contains the MVC features such as routing, controllers,
action results, filter, model binders and IOC container. It does form
a part of the core ASP.NET platform and can be used with MVC and
other types of Web applications like Asp.Net WebForms. It can also be
used as n stand-alone Web services application.
Advantages
of Web API
- It’s opensource
- If your requirement is a web service(and not SOAP), then look no further than ASP .NET
- No laborious configuration requirements, like defining extra configuration settings for different devices that are found in WCF
- Simple creation of service when contrasted with WCF which is used primarily to deploy a service oriented architecture(SOA) to support distributed computing.
With
other impressive features such as support for OData MVC feature
support and dependency injection that make it a robust, efficient and
ideal choice for building http services. Firms like Openwave already
provide extensive services in the domain of .Net web applications furthering the reach of APIs.
