Mastering ASP.NET Web API

Introducing web API

Any method(s) that is accessible over the web using HTTP verbs is called a web API. It is a lightweight way of transmitting data over HTTP, easily consumed by various clients like browsers, desktop apps, handheld devices, or even other SOA applications.

For a web API to be a successful HTTP-based service, it needed a strong web infrastructure like hosting, caching, concurrency, logging, security, and so on. One of the best web infrastructures was none other than ASP.NET.

ASP.NET, either in the form of a Web Form or an MVC, was widely adopted, so the solid base for web infrastructure was mature enough to be extended as a Web API.

Microsoft responded to the community needs by creating ASP.NET Web API--a super-simple yet ...