Is it possible to reuse/call a handler in C# Website from C# WebApi?

Question

I have an ASP.NET website that contains a number of handlers (.ashx). Is it possible to call that handler from a standalone C# REST API (Web API)? Or does it need to be in the same solution file?

For example, my handler file contains the following code

public override void ProcessRequest(HttpContext context)
        {

            base.ProcessRequest(context);
            context.Response.ContentType = "text/xml;charset=utf-8";
            try
            {
                string action = context.Request["action"] ?? "";
                switch (action.ToUpper())
                {
                    case GETDATA:
                        GetDataActions(context);
                        break;

                    case SETDATA:
                        SetDataActions(context);
                        break;
                    default:
                        throw new Exception("");
                }
            }
            catch (Exception genericException)
            {
                context.Response.StatusCode = 500;
                WriteResponse(context, xError.ToString());
            }
        }

I would like to call SETDATA action from my WEB API controller. Can anyone guide me?

Answer 1

You can reuse the handlers by calling them like a WebApi.

Make sure you have configured the handlers in your .config file and define a routing for them.

<httpHandlers>
    <add verb="[verb list]" path="[path/wildcard]" type="[COM+ Class], [Assembly]" validate="[true/false]" />
    <remove verb="[verb list]" path="[path/wildcard]" />
    <clear />
</httpHandlers>

Find more info here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/developer/webapps/aspnet/development/http-modules-handlers

ANOTHER OPTION: You can reuse the handlers by packaging them as a library then use it in different projects. A nugget package for example.