ServiceStack with MVC vs ASP.NET web

[Ermias]

I'm trying to decide whether I should use ServiceStack with MVC or ASP.NET web. I used MVC before and I liked it much better than the traditional ASP.NET web application. However, after seeing how great ServiceStack is I'm having a second thought about MVC. I would like to access the same service from a Razor View or from a mobile application. I know ServiceStack supports Razor from ASP.NET web or even from a console application.

So, my question is which approach do you recommend? ServiceStack with MVC or ASP.NET web?

Thanks,

Ermias.

[Demis Bellot]

If you want to make use of ServiceStack's Razor support you should use a basic/empty ASP.NET host.

If you want to use MVC in the same Website Host as well then you should start with an MVC Web Project and host on a custom route like /api

Basically I like to use vanilla ASP.NET since there's less dependencies / less things that can go wrong. MVC installs via a HttpModule and likes to hi-jack everyone elses ASP.NET IHttpHandler mapped http requests which is why you need to add 

routes.IgnoreRoute("api/{*pathInfo}");

In the MVC Global Routes Configuration and 

<add key="webPages:Enabled" value="false" />

In the Web.config to disable the conflicting functionality MVC hi-jacks by default.

--
- Demis

http://twitter.com/demisbellot

http://www.servicestack.net/mythz_blog

[Ermias]

Thanks for the response.

One more question: I know the SocialBootStrapApi sample is done for MVC; but, can the same sample be used for authentication/authorization for plain ASP.NET web applications too?

Thanks,

Ermias.

[Demis Bellot]

Yeah sure, that reminds me I got to do an example using vanilla ASP.NET.

I've got another simple Demo that I did for MonkeySpace that uses SS Auth + ASP.NET here (but only Credentials + Twitter + Facebook auth enabled):

https://github.com/ServiceStack/ServiceStack.UseCases/tree/master/Reusability 

Tho I'll be sure to create a new SocialBootstrapApi example without the MVC in the near future.

Cheers,

[Ermias]

I checked your slides for the MonkeySpace presentation; do you know if a video is available?

Thanks,

Ermias.

[Demis Bellot]

Nope sorry no idea, I'm guessing they'll let me know when it's ready. 

I'll announce it on twitter or this group when I get it.

[Ermias]

Thanks for all the great work!

Ermias.