Before understanding what Web API is, let us light our attention to what an API is. Application Programming Interface basically known as API is a set of tools used for building software and apps. Also, it can be termed as a set of functions that allows us to access some of the specific features of an application and operating system.

    Web API in ASP.NET

 Web API in ASP.NET is a web framework used for building HTTP based service which can easily be accessed on various cross-platforms such as mobile, windows etc. It only supports the HTTP protocol.

 

    ASP.NET Web API characteristics

1.    It supports ASP.NET request/response pipeline.
2.    Web API supports different formats of response data.
3.    It can be hosted in I2s or other web server supporting .NET 4.0t.

    Importance of Web APIs in ASP.NET Web Application
In ASP.NET, Web API is an easy way of implementing web services. Web API enables development of HTTP services for reaching out client entities like browsers, devices etc. Hence, web APIs are very helpful for easily creating various services that can run on various services that can run on various services that can run on various entities. This makes developers easy to build ASP.NET application compatible with any browsers and devices.
The entire features of HTTP such as URLs, request/respond headers, catching etc. can be easily accessed using web API.

Here I have listed some of the reasons why ASP.NET Web API can be very useful in Web App Development.

I.    Development AJAX-based Web apps:

ASP.NET web API can best choice for development of web applications that rely on AJAX and don’t require extensive configuration settings like WCF REST services.

II.    Backend in Native Mobile Applications

To develop back end in native applications that don’t support SOAP, ASP.NET Web API can serve with a great deal. Thus, web API can be good for native applications that do not support SOAP.

III.    Lightweight and easy creation

In compared with WCF, it is much easier and quicker to create services using Web API in ASP.NET.

Thus, Web APIs can be a very helpful in the field of web application development, especially in the field of ASP.NET web application.