Search code examples
wcfopen-sourcewcf-security

Open Source Alternatives to WCF

Could you tell me the open source alternatives to WCF?? I'm a newbie and just started using WCF. I wanted to know about the alternatives that are open source too. Also, what makes them better options/not so good compared to WCF.

Thanks, Thothathri

Solution

  • There are open source projects for REST services - for example Open Rasta Perhaps you will also find some open source projects for basic SOAP services but I doubt that there is an open source project implementing all WS-* related stuff implemented in WCF. WS-* protocols are mostly implemented only in API from big companies - MS, IBM, Oracle, SAP, etc. Reasons are:

    • Complexity - implementing WS-* protocols means diving deep into tons of specifications. You must also implement them very carefully to be really interoperable and to do not reduce performance too much.
    • Support - WS-* protocols are usually used in B2B solutions where enterprises demands some guarantees and support.
    • Costs - developing such API takes really long time.

    Even WCF implements only subset of WS-* protocols. But WCF is highly extensible so anybody can try to implement some of these missing protocols himself.

    WCF doesn't states only for REST and SOAP services. It is also replacement of .NET Remoting and Enterprise services from older .NET versions. You will not find a .NET API which will also offer all this functionality.