HttpHandler in ASP.NET

Amit Maheshwari

14y2.6k.NET

Hi friends,

I want to know that what's the HttpHandler? why we used it?

2 Replies

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Gohil Jayendrasinh14y ago
Accepted answer
HttpHandlers are classes that implement the IHttpHandler and IHttpAsyncHandler interfaces.
IHttpHandler
You can write custom HTTP handlers to process specific, predefined types of HTTP requests in any Common Language Specification (CLS)
compliant language. Executable code defined in the HttpHandler classes, rather than conventional ASP or ASP.NET Web pages, responds to these specific requests
Classes that Implement IHttpHandler
HttpApplication
HttpRemotingHandler
Page

IHttpAsyncHandler
An IHttpAsyncHandler class can be associated with a file name extension or a particular URL by a configuration file, in the section.
The ASP.NET infrastructure will then instantiate and call the handler when the corresponding request is received.
Classes that Implement IHttpHandler
HttpApplication

For more information Why use a handler? and Why not to use HttpHandlers

http://codebetter.com/karlseguin/2006/05/25/httphandlers-%E2%80%93-learn-them-use-them/
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Senthilkumar14y ago
Hi Amit,

An ASP.NET HTTP handler is the process (frequently referred to as the "endpoint") that runs in response to a request made to an ASP.NET Web application. The most common handler is an ASP.NET page handler that processes .aspx files. When users request an .aspx file, the request is processed by the page through the page handler. You can create your own HTTP handlers that render custom output to the browser.

An HTTP module is an assembly that is called on every request that is made to your application. HTTP modules are called as part of the ASP.NET request pipeline and have access to life-cycle events throughout the request. HTTP modules let you examine incoming and outgoing requests and take action based on the request.

The IHttpHandler and IHttpModule interfaces are the starting point for developing handlers and modules.

The IHttpAsyncHandler interface is the starting point for developing asynchronous handlers.

Custom handler and module source code can be put in the App_Code folder of an application, or it can be compiled and put in the Bin folder of an application.

Handlers and modules developed for use in IIS 6.0 can be used in IIS 7.0 with little or no change. For more information, see Moving an ASP.NET Application from IIS 6.0 to IIS 7.0.

Modules can subscribe to a variety of request-pipeline notifications. Modules can receive notification of events of the HttpApplication object.

In IIS 7.0, the request pipeline is integrated with the Web server request pipeline. HTTP modules can be used for any request to the Web server, not just ASP.NET requests.

For more info:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb398986.aspx
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