WCF、Web API、WCF REST、Web Service之区别

http://www.dotnet-tricks.com/Tutorial/webapi/JI2X050413-Difference-between-WCF-and-Web-API-and-WCF-REST-and-Web-Service.html

.NET framework 有很多的技术来创建HTTP service，比如：Web Service， WCF 和Web API。下面讲述一下它们的区别：

Web Service

基于SOAP，并且返回XML数据。

只支持HTTP协议。

非开源，但是xml能够被所有的客户端理解并使用。

只能驻留在IIS中。

WCF

同样基于SOAP，并且返回XML数据。

是Web Service的演化版（ASMX）并且支持各种协议比如TCP, HTTP, HTTPS, Named Pipes, MSMQ。

WCF主要的问题是繁琐的、可扩展的配置。

非开源，但是xml能够被所有的客户端理解并使用。

能够在IIS中或者其它的window service（window 服务）中驻留。

WCF REST

将WCF作为WCF Rest Service，你必须支持webHttpBinding。

它支持 HTTP GET和POST。

如果要支持其它的HTTP verbs，你必须设置IIS使其能接受其它的verb。

Passing data through parameters using a WebGet need configuration. The UriTemplate must be specified.

支持XML、JSON和ATOM数据格式。

Web API

This is the new framework for building HTTP services with easy and simple way.

Web API is open source an ideal platform for building REST-ful services over the .NET Framework.

Unlike WCF Rest service, it use the full featues 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 with in the application or on IIS.

It is light weight architecture and good for devices which have limited bandwidth like smart phones.

Responses are formatted by Web API’s MediaTypeFormatter into JSON, XML or whatever format you want to add as a MediaTypeFormatter