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.

Confermation Message of Hosting

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

The output will be as:

XML Output