In the fast-paced web development environment, there exist several frameworks and technologies that allow programmers to create HTTP services such as WCF and Web API. However, deciding which platform to utilize in your project can be daunting, considering that many of them often overlap in terms of approach and functionality. In this write-up, we will take an in-depth look at the key features and differences between WCF and Web API to help you choose the technology that aligns with your development needs.
What is WCF?
WCF is the short form of Windows Communication Foundation, and it is basically a framework that is used for the creation of distributed and interoperable applications. This platform came into the limelight in .Net 3.0 Framework. It is commonly utilized for Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), which is renowned for building reliable, secure, and transaction-oriented service.
WCF is built to develop SOAP-based services and bindings, and thus it utilizes standard XML schema over HTTP. This platform is ideal for things like message queues, end-to-end message security, duplex communication, distributed transaction, and one way messaging, among others. WCF allows you to send data asynchronously from one end to the next.
What is Web API?
A Web API is basically an open-source platform for building RESTful services over the .NET Framework. It is an authentic type of interface for creating HTTP services that can be consumed by a wide range of clients, including mobile devices, browsers, tablets, and iPhones. As the name suggests, a Web API is an over the internet API that is accessible through HTTP protocol. Initially, Web APIs were known as Web services, but today, the use of the latter indicates that the API is RESTful, instead of following the SOAP standard.
Web API supports the MVC features such as controllers, routing, filter, action results, IOC container, model binders, and dependency injection, among others. It also utilizes the full features of HTTP such as caching, URLs, request/response headers, versioning, and various content formats.
WCF vs WEB API: Differences/advantages of one over the other
When it comes to security, both WCF and Web API have accepted security standards. WCF can offer protection on enterprise-level, as it includes security protocols that adhere to WS-I guidelines. On the other hand, in Web API, security standards such as token and basic authentication are utilized. If appropriately enforced, security can be achieved in both frameworks.
WFC is SOAP-based and uses standard XML schema which can be a little slower. On the other hand, Web API can utilize any text format, including XML and thus is faster and the most preferred choice for lightweight services.
WCF is the ideal choice when you need to create a service that supports unique scenarios such as duplex communication, one way messaging and message queues, among others. Web API should be the option when you need to build resource-oriented services over HTTP that can utilize the full features of HTTP.
When you want to create a service that can use expedite transport channels when available such as Named Pipes, TCP, and even UDP, WCF is the ideal choice. Web API can be used when you want to expose an expansive range of clients including, mobile phones, iPhone, tablets, and browsers.
Summary: Web API vs WCF
| Feature | Web API | WCF |
| Protocol or architecture | Based on the SOAP-based protocol | Based on REST architecture |
| State management | Stateless | Stateless with per call |
| Content format | It supports any media format including XML, JSON and many others | Supports SOAP-based data formats + XML |
| Caching method | Built in to prefer application control | The application handles the cache. |
| Configuration | Supports MVC features | It supports extensive configuration |
| Proxy support | Doesn’t support client proxy initialization | It supports client proxy initialization like PerCall, Single or per session based on the requirement. |
Related Reading
FAQs
WFC is SOAP-based and uses standard XML schema which can be a little slower. On the other hand, Web API can utilize any text format, including XML and thus is faster and the most preferred choice for lightweight services.
What is the difference between Web API and WCF? ›
WCF is used for SOAP-based service development, whereas Web API is utilized for both SOAP-based and RESTful service development. WCF does not provide support for MVC functionalities, although Web API does. WCF supports HTTP, UDP, and custom transport protocols, whereas Web API only supports HTTP.
Can we replace WCF with Web API? ›
Web API project
For starters, the implementation can be adopted from the “old” WCF Service. Subsequently, the return values have to be changed to ActionResult and ActionResult<T>, respectively. The [Http..] verb attributes and a route for each method have to be specified.
What is the difference between Web service and WCF Web service? ›
Attributes − WCF service is defined by ServiceContract and OperationContract attributes, whereas a web service is defined by WebService and WebMethod attributes. Protocols − WCF supports a range of protocols, i.e., HTTP, Named Pipes, TCP, and MSMQ, whereas a web service only supports HTTP protocol.
Is WCF service REST or SOAP? ›
By default, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) makes endpoints available only to SOAP clients. In How to: Create a Basic WCF Web HTTP Service, an endpoint is made available to non-SOAP clients. There may be times when you want to make the same contract available both ways, as a Web endpoint and as a SOAP endpoint.
What is WCF used for? ›
Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is a framework for building service-oriented applications. Using WCF, you can send data as asynchronous messages from one service endpoint to another. A service endpoint can be part of a continuously available service hosted by IIS, or it can be a service hosted in an application.
When should I use WCF? ›
Use WCF to create reliable, secure web services that are accessible over a variety of transports. Use ASP.NET Web API to create HTTP-based services that are accessible from a wide variety of clients. Use ASP.NET Web API if you are creating and designing new REST-style services.
What is main difference between web service and API? ›
A key difference between web service and API is the way that software applications or machines communicate. With web service, a network is required to transfer information. However, with an API a network is optional. APIs are also commonly leveraged on internal databases and do not require a network.
Is Web API and REST API are same? ›
It is important to differentiate between REST APIs and Web APIs to determine their appropriate use. REST APIs use the HTTP protocol to send and receive data. Web APIs, on the other hand, rely on multiple communication protocols like SOAP, XML-RPC, and JSON-RPC.
What is meant by Web API? ›
A web API is an application programming interface (API) for either a web server or a web browser. As a web development concept, it can be related to a web application's client side (including any web frameworks being used).
In Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) applications, a service operation can be implemented asynchronously or synchronously without dictating to the client how to call it. For example, asynchronous service operations can be called synchronously, and synchronous service operations can be called asynchronously.
How do I know if my web service is SOAP or REST? ›
ANS : SOAP web service contains WSDL file and only supports XML format whereas REST doesn't contain WSDL file and supports XML, JSON , HTML...
Can a SOAP service call a REST API? ›
SOAP and REST Made Simple With DreamFactory
Upon saving your settings, it will auto-generate the endpoints in Swagger. With that, your applications will simply be able to call that REST API whenever you put them to use. It does it all for you!
Is WCF obsolete? ›
Windows Communication Framework (WCF) may be deprecated in . NET 5/6+, but it doesn't mean your applications are going to be left out in the cold. Just like Web Forms and other . NET Framework technologies, your WCF applications will continue to work for a long time.
What is the difference between API and web service call? ›
A key difference between web service and API is the way that software applications or machines communicate. With web service, a network is required to transfer information. However, with an API a network is optional. APIs are also commonly leveraged on internal databases and do not require a network.
How do I call a Web API in WCF? ›
We will divide this process into 2 steps.
- STEP 1: Configure Service methods. In order to expose our methods as an API, we need to set a few parameters/attributes for these methods. ...
- Step 2: Configure service endpoint. Next, we need to configure our WCF service endpoint to support calls to these methods as a REST API.
Web APIs often require a higher level of security because they are used by a wider variety of clients with different purposes. REST APIs, on the other hand, are typically designed for internal users and applications and therefore require fewer security protocols.
