ASP.NET Web API: Benefits and Why to Choose It

In the modern technology world, web-based applications are not sufficient to reach a larger audience. People are now using several smart devices, including smartphones, tablets, etc., in their day-to-day life. Such devices have a multitude of apps that makes life easier. Now everyone is shifting from the web to a world full of applications.

If you want to expose the data to apps and browsers faster and more securely, you need a compatible API or application programming interface. Several popular web APIs like ASP.NET effectively collect, change, or update the data. The Web API is quite helpful in ASP.NET development for creating RESTful apps.

The web API in ASP.NET utilizes the framework for implementing RESTful services, and these web services use HTTP for communication. It contains numerous tools and features for creating amazing apps and software. In this blog, you will learn about ASP.NET web API, its benefits, and the importance of the web API in present times.

ASP.NET Web API Overview

To create HTTP-based services, which are accessible through multiple platforms, people use the ASP.NET web API framework. With services compatible with different devices like mobile, tablets, or PC, it can reach a large number of people, and many can benefit from it. The web API works the same as the MVC web apps of ASP.NET, but it sends service data as the response rather than HTML view.

It is one of the best platforms for creating RESTful apps and contains features of the MVC like a filter, action results, controller, model binding, routing, etc. The web API is similar to a web service, except it supports the protocols of HTTP. Some of its characteristics are mentioned as following:

• It is created on the ASP.NET framework and supports its request or response pipeline.
• The framework contains HttpClient for communication with the API server.
• The web API is compatible with multiple response data formats. It supports XML, JSON, and BSON format too.
• It utilizes controller and routing concepts, same as the ASP.NET MVC.

What Advantages Does ASP.NET Web API Provide?

Business growth largely depends on the experiences of users. If a website provides a great experience, more and more users will retain the site. For this, you have to consider ASP.NET to create amazing sites that run on various platforms. No matter if you are creating ASP.NET MVC or the Web Forms sites, you will require the help of AJAX. The web API develops an app through AJAX, due to which you can build services that work on different entities.

It eases out the work of developers for creating apps that are compatible with all browsers and devices. Using web API, one can access the HTTP features such as to request/response orders, URIs, caching, content formatting, and more. Compared to WCF services that need additional configuration settings for multiple devices, the ASP.NET web API helps develop web apps through REST web services.

Why Opt for ASP.NET Web API?

There are several reasons to choose the web API for ASP.NET development, and some of the major reasons are listed below.

1. A Backend for Native Apps

If you are searching for one good backend to create native apps for mobile phones, then this web API is ideal for your purpose. It does not need SOAP, and any native app working on mobile devices except Windows can utilize the framework as a backend.

2. Development of Ajax-based Web Apps

The framework is a perfect choice for the creation of web apps. The ASP.NET development services providers use the framework to develop client web apps that depend on AJAX. It is ideal for web apps that do not need configuration settings, like WCF RESTful services.

3. Easy Services Creation

ASP.NET Web API has a lightweight architecture that powers HTTP services for reaching a wide audience. In comparison with WCF, the framework makes it quicker and easier to build services.

Conclusion

After reading the points mentioned above, you might have understood the necessity of ASP.NET web API. It speeds up the whole process of web app creation. You can select the framework for building amazing web apps and Restful services that seamlessly run on different devices.