Why is my ASP.NET MVC route configuration causing an HTTP 404 error?

Question

The issue arises with a map route I have added to my RouteConfig.cs file, which maps routes to my Topic controller.

Here's my RegisterRoutes method, from global.asax:

routes.IgnoreRoute("{resource}.axd/{*pathInfo}");

routes.MapRoute(
    name: "ArticleByTitle",
    url: "{controller}/{action}/{title}/{category}",
    defaults: new { controller = "Topic", action = "Get", category = UrlParameter.Optional }
);

routes.MapRoute(
    name: "Default",
    url: "{controller}/{action}/{id}",
    defaults: new { controller = "Home", action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional }
);

The Topic controller contains the specified action method:

namespace Wiki.Controllers
{
    public class TopicController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Get(string title, string category)
        {
            var topics = this.GetTopicsList();
            var count = topics.Count(t => t.Category.Equals(category, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase)
                                          && t.Title.Equals(title, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));
            if (count > 1)
            {
                return RedirectToAction("Resolve", new { title = title });
            }

            if (count == 0)
            {
                return new HttpNotFoundResult();
            }

            var selectedTopic = this.GetTopicsList().FirstOrDefault(t => t.Title.Equals(title, StringComparison.CurrentCultureIgnoreCase));
            return RedirectToAction("Display", new { topic = selectedTopic });
        }

    }
}

However, this method is never invoked. Instead, I am receiving an HTTP 404 error when I attempt to reach it through a link in the application that looks like this:

<a href="/topic/display/MyTopic">MyTopic</a>

I am assuming that there is something wrong with my routing configuration, but for the life of me, I can't see what it is. Could someone kindly point me in the right direction?

In your href you're missing the action (which in your case is 'Get') — Dimitar Dimitrov
– Dimitar Dimitrov, Commented Jul 12, 2014 at 14:37
@Dimitar, Can you make this an actual answer? This is the solution I was looking for. It's always something simple, stupid, and obvious. :) — Mike Hofer
– Mike Hofer, Commented Jul 12, 2014 at 14:45

Dimitar Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-12 14:46:40Z

1

It seems that in your href you're missing your action (which in your case is Get)

answered Jul 12, 2014 at 14:46

Dimitar Dimitrov

15.2k9 gold badges55 silver badges82 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Tony · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-12 14:48:25Z

1

For the Get action to be invoked your URL would need to look like this:

<a href="/topic/get/mytitle/mycategory"></a>

You should also generate the link by using the Html ActionLink helper like this:

@Html.ActionLink("MyTopic", "Get", "Topic", new { title = "sometitle"}, null)

edited Jul 12, 2014 at 14:48

answered Jul 12, 2014 at 14:31

Tony

965 bronze badges

5 Comments

Mike Hofer Over a year ago

The category is an optional parameter.

Tony Over a year ago

<a href="/topic/get/mytitle"></a> would also work. What I'm saying is your orginal URL is mapped to the display action, which means it will never call the Get action unless you have some sort of redirect in the Display action that you have not shown in your code.

Mike Hofer Over a year ago

Further, the action won't even enter the picture if the controller is never invoked.

Mike Hofer Over a year ago

If I set a breakpoint in the first line of the Get action, it's never hit.

Tony Over a year ago

The first parameter in the URL maps to the controller name, the second parameter maps to the action. Your original URL is mapping to the Topic controller Display action. /topic/display.

Sparky · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-12 14:31:35Z

0

Try using the following syntax

action="@Url.Action("Go", "Home")"

for your HREF link.

answered Jul 12, 2014 at 14:31

Sparky

15.1k2 gold badges34 silver badges45 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Why is my ASP.NET MVC route configuration causing an HTTP 404 error?

3 Answers 3

Comments

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related