ASP.NET JSON response without web service

Question

I've got an ASP.NET based website that already has the necessary hooks into my back-end database and I want to write something really simple to return a small bit of JSON based on a URL parameter. So, for example:

http://example.com/JSON/GetInfo.aspx?prodID=1234

And it would return some JSON with product details for the given ID.

I conceptually know how to do this from any ASPX page but I'm wondering if this is the right way to do it? (Assuming I would just be writing JSON back out to the response instead of HTML)

I don't need (or want) a full on .NET web service, just something that I could call from other pages on my site as well as one of our applications with a GET request to retrieve the desired info.

In visual studio, when I'm adding a new file what type should I use?

For this I would use a generic handler (.ashx).

user1429080
– user1429080

2013-08-13 13:30:48 +00:00
Commented Aug 13, 2013 at 13:30 — user1429080
– user1429080, Commented Aug 13, 2013 at 13:30

Claudio Redi · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-13 13:31:16Z

5

You should use a Generic Web Handler for this. It's a lightweight web component that you can call from any client code on your site.

Your url would looks like this

http://example.com/JSON/GetInfo.ashx?prodID=1234

answered Aug 13, 2013 at 13:31

Claudio Redi

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6 Comments

asawyer Over a year ago

I've used this approach plenty of times, it works great. Remember to add the reference to your web config though. msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms227673(v=vs.100).aspx

Claudio Redi Over a year ago

@asawyer: There is no need to register anything on web.config for his scenario ;) Just need to create the handler and use it.

Steve B Over a year ago

Is there really a benefits in this approach versus a simple SVC file that describe a restful web service? Or compared to a ASP.Net Web API Project?

Claudio Redi Over a year ago

@Steve B: the main advantage I see over those methods you mention is simplicity. It's extremelly simple to implement a web handler inside an existing asp.net web forms project.

asawyer Over a year ago

@ClaudioRedi That's interesting, in my projects using this technique I've always needed to register the module.

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AntSpiteri · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-13 13:30:51Z

0

Look into to ASP.Net Web Methods

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/byxd99hx(v=vs.90).aspx

answered Aug 13, 2013 at 13:30

AntSpiteri

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Comments

markiemooster · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-13 13:32:28Z

0

Wouldn't an ordinary .aspx file do this?

string s= "{\"data\":\"test\"}";
Response.Clear();
Response.ContentType = "application/json; charset=utf-8";
Response.Write(s);
Response.End();

answered Aug 13, 2013 at 13:32

markiemooster

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Comments

rom · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-13 13:34:03Z

0

Create your aspx page "GetInfo.aspx" In your Page_Load :

string myID = request.QueryString["prodID"];
string myJson = "";

//Fill your JSON with database, ...

Response.Clear();
Response.ContentType = "application/json; charset=utf-8";
Response.Write(myJson);
Response.End();

That will returning your JSON

answered Aug 13, 2013 at 13:34

rom

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