Introduction
In this article, we will define how to add the Test Client to the ASP. NET Web API help page.
Step 1
First we create the help page. For creating the help page use this link: Creating the Help Page in ASP. NET Web API.
Step 2
Install the test client package using the following procedure:
- Go to Tools.
- choose "Library Package Manager" -> "Manage Nuget Packages" for the solution.
- It is opened like this:
![api1.jpg]()
- Make sure to "Include Prerelease".
- Type "webapitestclient" in the search TextBox in the top-right corner.
![api3.jpg]()
- Now click on install for installing it.
![api2.jpg]()
When the Web API Test Client is installed, the following files will be added to your application:
- Scripts\WebApiTestClient.js
- Areas\HelpPage\TestClient.css
- Areas\HelpPage\views\Help\Display Template\TestClientReferences.cshtml
- Areas\HelpPage\views\Help\Display Template\TestClientDialogs.cshtml
Step 3
Now write the Test Client on the help page.
For selecting the Api.cshtml, go to the Solution Explorer and choose "Areas\HelpPage\Views\Help\Display Templates\Api.cshtml".
![api10.jpg]()
We add the following code in the Api.cshtml file that is @Html.DisplayForModel("TestClientDialogs"). We can add this code after the <div> tag. And @HtmlDisplayForModel("TestClientReferences") we can add this code inside the scripts section.
- @using System.Web.Http
- @using MvcApplication4.Areas.HelpPage.Models
- @model HelpPageApiModel
- @{
- var description = Model.ApiDescription;
- ViewBag.Title = description.HttpMethod.Method + " " + description.RelativePath;
- }
- <div id="body">
- <section class="featured">
- <div class="content-wrapper">
- <p>
- @Html.ActionLink("Help Page Home", "Index")
- </p>
- </div>
- </section>
- <section class="content-wrapper main-content clear-fix">
- @Html.DisplayFor(m => Model)
- </section>
- </div>
- @Html.DisplayForModel("TestClientDialogs")
- @section Scripts {
- <link type="text/css" href="~/Areas/HelpPage/HelpPage.css" rel="stylesheet" />
- @Html.DisplayForModel("TestClientReferences")
- }
Step 4
Now we add some JavaScript files into the TestClientReferences.cshtml that is visible in the scripts folder.
- jquery-1.8.2.js
- knockoutjs 2.1.0.js
- jquery.ui.1.10.3.js
We can drag and drop these files into the TestClientreferences.cshtml file. For selecting the TestClientReferences.cshtml. Go to Solution Explorer and choose
"Areas\HelpPage\Views\Help\Display Templates\TestClientReferences.cshtml".
![api9.jpg]()
The code looks like this:
- @using System.Text.RegularExpressions
- <script src="~/Scripts/jquery-1.8.2.js"></script>
- <script src="~/Scripts/knockoutjs%202.1.0.js"></script>
- <script src="~/Scripts/jquery-ui-1.10.3.js"></script>
- <link href="~/Content/themes/base/jquery.ui.all.css" rel="stylesheet" />
- <link href="~/Areas/HelpPage/TestClient.css" rel="stylesheet" />
- @* Automatically grabs the installed version of JQuery/JQueryUI/KnockoutJS *@
- @{var filePattern = @"(jquery-[0-9]+.[0-9]+.[0-9]+.js|jquery-ui-[0-9]+.[0-9]+.[0-9]+.js|knockout-[0-9]+.[0-9]+.[0-9]+.js)";}
- @foreach (var item in Directory.GetFiles(Server.MapPath(@"~/Scripts")).Where(f => Regex.IsMatch(f, filePattern)))
- {
- <script src="~/Scripts/@Path.GetFileName(item)"></script>
- }
- <script src="~/Scripts/WebApiTestClient.js" defer="defer"></script>
If these files are not showing in Scripts folder then you can download these files.
Step 5
After performing these steps, when we execute the application the Test API button is shown in lower-right corner. And the output looks like this:
![api4.jpg]()
Step 6
Now we test the Web API.
- We click on Test API button. There is the URI parameter open and one TextBox for the URI parameter.
- And fill the value in the TextBox. Click on "Add header" and enter "application/json". That gives the response in JSON.
![api5.jpg]()
- Now click on the "Send" button.
- It give the response.
![api6.jpg]()
Step 7
Add the request header.
![api7.jpg]()
Click on "Add header" and add the "accept text/xml" asking for XML. Click on the "Send" button.
The response is:
![api8.jpg]()