Get the XML Output By Using the SelfHosting URL in Web API

Introduction

In this article, you will see how to find the XML output on the self-hosting URL. Here first we self-host the application on the URL "http://localhost:8080" and then copy this URL to the browser and add the "api/items" for showing the API controller value. Here we need the "Microsoft ASP. Net Web API Self Host" package.

Use the following procedure to create the sample application.

Step 1

First we create the console application.

• Start Visual Studio 2012.
• Select "New Project" from the Start page.
• In the Templates, select "Installed templates" -> "Visual C#".
• Select "Console application" and change the name to "Hosting".
  
  
  
  
• Click on the "OK" button.

Step 2

Set the ".Net Framework 4".

• In the "Solution Explorer" right-click on the  project.
• Select "Properties".
• In the "Properties windows" select the ".Net Framework 4" from the Drop Down List of Target Folder.
  
  
  
  
• For applying the change open a prompt and click on "Yes".

Step 3

We check that the Nuget Package Manager is installed or not.

• Go to the "Tools" menu.
• If there is a "Library Package Manager" visible then the "Nuget Package Manager" is installed.
• If "Library Package Manager" is not visible then it is not installed.

For installation of "Nuget Package Manager":

• Go to the "Tools" menu then select "Extension and Updates".
• In the "Extension and Updates" dialog box select "Online".
• In the search box type "nuget package manager".
• Select the "Nuget Package Manager" and Install it.

Step 4

Now we install the Web API Self-Host Package.

• Go to the "Tools" menu then select "Library Package Manager" -> "Manages Nuget Packages For Solution".
• In the "Nuget Package Manager" dialog box type "Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.SelfHost".
• Select the ASP.NET Web API Self Host and click "Install".

Step 5

Create the Model class:

• In the "Solution Explorer".
• Right-click on the project then select "Hosting" -> "Add" -> "Class".
• Change the name of the class to "Item".
  
  
  
  
• Click on the "OK" button.

Add the following code:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
namespace Hosting
{
    public class Item
    {
        public int Id { get; set; }
        public string Name { get; set; }
        public string Category { get; set; }
    }
}

Step 6

To add a Controller class:

• In the "Solution Explorer".
• Right-click on the project then select "Hosting" -> "Add" -> "Class".
• Change the name of the class to "ItemsController".
• Click on the "OK" button.

Add the Following Code:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Net;
using System.Text;
using System.Web.Http;
namespace Hosting
{
    public class ItemsController : ApiController
    {
        Item[] items = new Item[]
        {
            new Item { Id = 1, Name = "Apple", Category = "Fruit" },
            new Item{ Id = 2, Name = "Tomato", Category = "vasitable" },
            new Item{ Id = 3, Name = "T-Shirt", Category = "cloths" }
        };
        public IEnumerable<Item> GetAllItems()
        {
            return items;
        }
        public Item GetItemById(int id)
        {
            var item = items.FirstOrDefault((i) => i.Id == id);
            if (item == null)
            {
                throw new HttpResponseException(HttpStatusCode.NotFound);
            }
            return item;
        }
        public IEnumerable<Item> GetItemsByCategory(string category)
        {
            return items.Where(i => string.Equals(i.Category, category,
                    StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase));
        }
    }
}

Step 7

Now we host our Web API.

Open the "Program.cs" file and add the following code into this file:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Web.Http;
using System.Web.Http.SelfHost;
namespace Hosting
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var config = new HttpSelfHostConfiguration("http://localhost:8080");
            config.Routes.MapHttpRoute(
                "API Default", "api/{controller}/{id}",
                new { id = RouteParameter.Optional });
            using (HttpSelfHostServer server = new HttpSelfHostServer(config))
            {
                server.OpenAsync().Wait();
                 Console.WriteLine("Host The Application on Given URL");
                Console.ReadLine();
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 8

Execute the application. It will show a Console output screen for displaying a message.

Now copy the URL and paste it into the browser and change it to "http://localhost:8080/api/items".

The output will be as: