RESTful WCF services

RECOMMENDATION: For all content operations, we recommend using the oData web services.
For more information, see Create a web service
You can use the RESTful WCF services for non-content operations, for example, for settings.

These articles contain information related to the Client Side Programming in Sitefinity.

Overview

Sitefinity CMS introduces the web service API in its full extent. While, in previous versions of Sitefinity CMS, we have always made sure to provide developers with fully exposed API, we have done so only for the server side development scenarios. The web service API is based on the Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) REST approach,where each service represents one entity of the domain model. The web service API follows very strictly convention where for each entity following operations can be performed:

  • Get single item
  • Get collection of items
  • Save item
  • Delete items
The two main usages of the webservice API are the client side asynchronous requests (AJAX) and communication between different applications.

In this section of the manual, we are going to explore the following topics:

  • Sitefinity CMS WCF RESTful Services - we will provide a high level overview to the WCF REST Services and their implementation in Sitefinity CMS. REST Services as it is known are taking advantage of the HTTP protocol to its full extent, making them highly accessible to a variety of clients.
  • Client binder controls - in order to simplify AJAX operations, Sitefinity CMS comes with a common framework for Ajaxifying user interface. The main advantage of this framework is a common and relatively simply way to work with data through webservice through declarative Client Binder controls, while abstracting the client side development.
  • Client Side API - while Client Binders will prove a great tool for the most common scenarios, ocassionaly one will need more control and work directly with the client side API. In this topic we will explain the client side classes and their usage.
  • WCF REST API reference - in this section we are providing full reference for all the Sitefinity CMS services and their usages.
  • Implementing your own WCF REST service - Sitefinity CMS provides base classes for smooth, quick and zero-configuration WCF REST services, which are the recommended way of implementing WCF services for Sitefinity CMS. In this section we will provide a step-by-step instructions on implementing such services.

DISCLAIMER: If you, nevertheless, require using the RESTful WCF services, instead of the oData, you can refer to the following articles from previous Sitefinity CMS documentation versions:

Increase your Sitefinity skills by signing up for our free trainings. Get Sitefinity-certified at Progress Education Community to boost your credentials.

Get started with Integration Hub | Sitefinity Cloud | Sitefinity SaaS

This free lesson teaches administrators, marketers, and other business professionals how to use the Integration hub service to create automated workflows between Sitefinity and other business systems.

Web Security for Sitefinity Administrators

This free lesson teaches administrators the basics about protecting yor Sitefinity instance and its sites from external threats. Configure HTTPS, SSL, allow lists for trusted sites, and cookie security, among others.

Foundations of Sitefinity ASP.NET Core Development

The free on-demand video course teaches developers how to use Sitefinity .NET Core and leverage its decoupled architecture and new way of coding against the platform.

Was this article helpful?