Self-Hosting in ASP.Net Web API

Introduction

In this article you learn about Self-Host, how we can Self-Host the ASP.NET Web API. In this article, you don't have need of the IIS server. We Host the Web API in a Console 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 template->Visual C#.
• Select "Console application" and change 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.
  
  
  
  
• Click on the "I Accept" button.
  

Step 5

Create the Model class:

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

Add this code in the "Item" Class:

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 this code in the "ItemsController" class:

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 this 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("Press Enter to quit.");
                Console.ReadLine();
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 8

Add a new project in this application using the following:

• In the "Solution Explorer".
• Right-click on project then select "Add" -> "New Project"
• Change the name to "Client".
  
  
  

Step 9

Install the "Microsoft ASP.NET Web API Client Library" using the following:

• Go to the "Tools" menu then select "Extension and Updates".
• In the "Extension and Updates" dialog box select "Online".
• In the search box type "Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Client".
• Select the "Microsoft ASP.NET Web API library" and install it.
  
  
  

Step 10

Add the reference of the client to the "Hosting" project using the following:

• In the "Solution Explorer" right-click on the "Client" project.
• Select "Add reference".
• Open a "Reference" dialog box.
• Select the solution and choose "Projects".
  
  
  
  
• Click on the "Ok" button.

Step 11

Open the "Program.cs" file in the "Client" project.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Net.Http;
namespace Client
{
    class Program
    {
        static HttpClient client = new HttpClient();
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            client.BaseAddress = new Uri("http://localhost:8080");
            ListAllItems();
            ListItem(1);
            ListItems("fruit");
            Console.WriteLine("Press Enter to quit.");
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
        static void ListAllItems()
        {
            HttpResponseMessage resp = client.GetAsync("api/items").Result;
            //resp.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
            var items = resp.Content.ReadAsAsync<IEnumerable<Hosting.Item>>().Result;
            foreach (var i in items)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("{0} {1} {2}", i.Id, i.Name,  i.Category);
            }
        }
        static void ListItem(int id)
        {
            var resp = client.GetAsync(string.Format("api/products/{0}", id)).Result;
            //resp.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
            var item = resp.Content.ReadAsAsync<Hosting.Item>().Result;
            Console.WriteLine("ID {0}: {1}", id, item.Name);
        }
        static void ListItems(string category)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("items in '{0}':", category);
            string query = string.Format("api/items?category={0}", category);
            var resp = client.GetAsync(query).Result;
            resp.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
            var items = resp.Content.ReadAsAsync<IEnumerable<Hosting.Item>>().Result;
            foreach (var item in items)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(item.Name);
            }
        }
    }
}

Step 12

Now execute the application.

• In the "Solution Explorer" right-click on the "Hosting" Project.
• And select "set as Start up project".
  
  
• Press F5 for execution.
  
  
  

Step 13

Debug the project "Hosting" using the following:

• In the Solution Explorer" right-click on the project "Client".
• Select "Debug"-> "Start new instance".
  
  
  

Output