Is ASP.NET Web API and ASP NET MVC same?

Asp.Net MVC is used to create web applications that return both views and data but Asp.Net Web API is used to create full-blown HTTP services with an easy and simple way that returns only data, not view. Asp.Net Web API is a new framework and part of the core ASP.NET framework.

Can I use MVC controller as Web API?

Web API framework automatically maps the incoming request to an action based on the incoming requests’ HTTP verb. MVC controller usually handles GET and POST requests but you can handle other verbs also. There is no automatic mapping of an incoming request to an action like Web API.

Should I use MVC or Web API?

You should use Web API over ASP.Net MVC if you would want your controller to return data in multiple formats like, JSON, XML, etc. You would need ASP.Net MVC controllers to be hosted in the same webserver where the application has been hosted because the ASP.Net MVC controllers are part of the same application.

What is the difference between IHttpActionResult and HttpResponseMessage?

In Web API 2, IHttpActionResult comes as a new feature which is basically the replacement of HttpResponseMessage. It creates a clean code and allows extensibility of the type of response that we create. Advantages of using the IHttpActionResult: It simplifies unit testing of controllers.

What is the difference between controller and ApiController?

They work similarly in Web API, but controllers in Web API derive from the ApiController class instead of Controller class. The first major difference you will notice is that actions on Web API controllers do not return views, they return data. ApiControllers are specialized in returning data.

What is the difference between Web API and MVC routing?

If you are familiar with ASP.NET MVC, Web API routing is very similar to MVC routing. The main difference is that Web API uses the HTTP verb, not the URI path, to select the action. You can also use MVC-style routing in Web API.

Can we use Web API with ASP NET web form?

Overview. Although ASP.NET Web API is packaged with ASP.NET MVC, it is easy to add Web API to a traditional ASP.NET Web Forms application. Add a Web API controller that derives from the ApiController class. Add a route table to the Application_Start method.

Is ASP.NET MVC RESTful?

ASP.NET MVC is one such framework that provides an inherently RESTful model for building XHTML-based services.

Should I use IActionResult or ActionResult?

There are not more different between IActionResult and ActionResult from usability perspective, but since IActionResult is the intended contract for action results, it’s better to use it as opposed to ActionResult.