Asp.Net Web API Introduction

#API #C# #ASP.NET 

What is an API?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. API is some kind of interface which has a set of functions that allow programmers to access specific features or data of an application, operating system or other services using HTTP protocol.

When to choose ASP.NET Web API?

• If you are using .NET framework 4.0 or above.API is built on top of ASP.NET.
• If you want to build a service that supports only HTTP protocol.
• To build RESTful HTTP based services.
• If you are familiar with ASP.NET MVC.
• Uses routing and controller concept similar to ASP.NET MVC.

API Features

• It works with HTTP verbs GET,POST,PUT and DELETE.
• Responses have an Accept header and HTTP status code.
• Supports multiple text formats like XML, JSON or you can use your custom MediaTypeFormatter.
• Supports Self-hosting or IIS Hosting.
• IHttpActionResult return type.
• Support for Cross-Origin requests using CORS.