by
Ahmad Hijazi , RPA Lead Development Architect , Inspire Innovations
Web API
This is the new framework for building HTTP services the easy and simple way.
Web API is open source an ideal platform for building RESTful services using the .NET Framework.
Unlike a WCF REST service, it use the full features of HTTP (like URIs, request/response headers, caching, versioning, various content formats).
It also supports the MVC features such as routing, controllers, action results, filter, model binders, IOC container or dependency injection, unit testing that makes it more simple and robust.
It can be hosted within the application or on IIS.
It is a light weight architecture and good for devices which have limited bandwidth like smart phones.
Web Service
It is based on SOAP or REST and returns data in XML format.
It supports only the HTTP protocol.
It is not open source but can be consumed by any client that understands XML.
