.NET HTTP Client

Introduction to HttpClient

The HttpClient class in .NET is a powerful tool for making HTTP requests to web services and APIs. It is part of the System.Net.Http namespace and is designed to be reusable and efficient. Using HttpClient, developers can send HTTP requests and receive HTTP responses from a resource identified by a URI.

Setting Up HttpClient

Before making any API calls, you need to set up an instance of HttpClient. It's recommended to reuse a single instance of HttpClient throughout the application to avoid exhausting system resources and socket exhaustion.

Making a GET Request

To make a GET request using HttpClient, you can use the GetAsync method. This method sends a GET request to the specified URI and returns the response.

Making a POST Request

For sending data to a server, you can use the PostAsync method. This method sends a POST request to the specified URI with the provided HTTP content.

Handling Responses and Errors

Handling responses correctly is crucial for ensuring the robustness of your application. After sending a request, you should check the status code of the response and handle any potential errors appropriately.