How To Create a Downloadable Web API

Introduction

In this article we will describe how to create a downloadable Web API. Since we know that an API is a framework that can help to create HTTP services to provide the responses of the client request. HTTP services reaches a broad range of clients and also includes the browsers and mobile services. Here we describe the calling of the API application from the browser.

Step 1

Create the Blank Solution

Open Visual Studio 2012
Select "File" -> "New" -> "Project...".
On the template window select "Installed" > "Template" > "Other Project Type" > "Visual Studio Solution".
Now choose "Blank Solution" and change the name of this solution to "HelloSolution".
Now click on the "OK" button.

Step 2

Create ASP. Net MVC Web API application

After creating the blank solution we can now add an ASP.Net Web API project.

Right-click on the solution "HelloSolution" in the Solution Explorer.
Select "Add" > "New Project..."
In the Installed Templates expand the "Visual C#" node and select "ASP. Net MVC 4 Application".
Click on "OK" button.
Select the Web API from the New ASP.Net Web API.

Solution Explorer image

Step 3

Add the Controller

Now use the following procedure to create the Controller:

Right-click on the Controller Folder in the Solution Explorer. Select "Add" > "Controller".
In the controller window change the name to "helloController".
And in the template select Empty API controller.
Click on the "Add" button.