Learn About ASP.Net Web API 2

Introduction

This article explains the Web API 2. Here I just explain the Web API 2 Controller, Model class and show how to run this application on Fiddler. We know that the Web API 2 is the second version of the Web API. So the Web API 2 contains all the features of the Web API including some new features such as:

• Attribute Routing.
• IHttpActionResult.
• Web API OData.
• Cors- Cross Origin Resource Sharing.
• OWIN

Now we see how to create an application using Web API 2 and run it using Fiddler tool.

1. How we create an application using Visual Studio 2013.
   • Start Visual Studio 2013.
   • From the Start Window select "New Project".
   • Select "Installed" -> "Templates" -> "Visual C#" -> "Web" and select ASP.NET Web Application.
     
     
     
     
   • Click on the "OK" button.
     
     
     
     
   • From the ASP.Net project window select "Empty" and select the "Web API" check box.
   • Click on the "Create Project" button.
2. Use the following procedure to install the necessary package from the NuGet Package Manager:
   • Go To the "Tools" Menu.
   • Select "Library Package Manager".
   • Then select "Manage NuGet Package for Solution".
     
     
     
     
   • In the search box type "Web API" and install the necessary package.
3. Use the following procedure to create a Model class:
   • In the "Solution Explorer".
   • Right-click on the Model Folder.
   • Select "Add" -> "Class".
   • Select "Installed" -> "Visual C#" and select "Class".
     
     
     
     
   • Click on the "OK" button.
     
     Add the following code:
     

     using System;
     using System.Collections.Generic;
     using System.Linq;
     using System.Web;
     namespace WebApplication2.Models
     {
         public class Detail
         {
             public int ID { get; set; }
             public string Name { get; set; }
             public string Address { get; set; }
         }
     }

4. Use the following procedure to create a Web API 2 Controller:

   • In the "Solution Explorer".

   • Right-click on the "Controller" folder.

   • Select the "Controller" and from the controller window select "Common" -> "Web API".
     
     
   • Select the "Web API 2 Empty Controller" and click on the "Add" button.
     
     
     
     
   • Change the name and click on the "Add" button.
     
     Add the following Code:
     

     using System;
     using System.Collections.Generic;
     using System.Linq;
     using System.Net;
     using System.Net.Http;
     using System.Web.Http;
     using WebApplication2.Models;
     namespace WebApplication2.Controllers
     {
         public class DetailsController : ApiController
         {
             Detail[] details = new Detail[]
             {
                 new Detail{ID=1, Name="Employee1", Address="Address1"},
                   new Detail{ID=2, Name="Employee2", Address="Address2"},
                     new Detail{ID=3, Name="Employee3", Address="Address3"},
                       new Detail{ID=4, Name="Employee4", Address="Address4"},
                         new Detail{ID=5, Name="Employee5", Address="Address5"},
                           new Detail{ID=6, Name="Employee6", Address="Address6"}
             };
             public IEnumerable<Detail> GetAllDetail()
             {
                 return details;
             }
             public IHttpActionResult GetDetailByID(int id)
             {
                 var detail = details.FirstOrDefault((p) => p.ID == id);
                 if(detail==null)
                 {
                     return NotFound();
                 }
                 return Ok(detail);
             }
         }
     }

5. Execute the application and copy the URL.
6. Open Fiddler and cllick on the "Composer" tab and paste the URL. The URL is "http://localhost:12939/api/details". Click on the "Execute" button; it will then display all the details.
   
   
   
7. For finding the details by ID change the URL to http://localhost:12939/api/details/5. It displays the details of Id 5.