.NET web service tips at 11:34 AM

Here are list of tips for .NET web service development. I put here so that I need not google to find them later. :)

1) Generate web service interface so that we can separate implementation from WSDL. When WSDL is changed someday, we will not lose our implemenation code:

wsdl.exe /si ServerInterfaceSample.wsdl

2) Web service can use ASP.NET session state. To enable ASP.NET session state, set WebMethod.EnableSession = True. On the client you must also create a new instance of System.Net.CookieContainer. Note that to persist data for the entire application, neither step is required.

Client code:

//On the client you must add the following code (for session state only):
serviceName.CookieContainer = new System.Net.CookieContainer();

Server code:

 //Setting EnableSession to true allows state to be persisted per Session
[WebMethod(EnableSession=true)]
public String UpdateSessionHitCounter() {
   //update the session "HitCounter" here
   return Session["HitCounter"].ToString();
}

3) Asynchronous call to web service:
Use the event-based model to asynchronously call your Web services.

   //First implement the HelloWorldCompleted method using the following signature:
  //public void HelloWorldCompleted(object sender, HelloWorldCompletedEventArgs args)
 
  //Create the Web service
  HelloWorldWaitService service = new HelloWorldWaitService();
  //Add our callback function to the event handler
  service.HelloWorldCompleted += this.HelloWorldCompleted;
  //Call the Web service asynchronously
  service.HelloWorldAsync("first call");
  //when the Web service call returns the HelloWorldCompleted method will be called