CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#asp.net-web-api
mohsinali1317
mohsinali1317

Reputation: 4425

Byte array different from an Web Api Method in C#?

So I have a web api which returns a byte array like this

public byte[] Validate()
{
    byte[] buffer = licensePackage.ToByteArray();
    return buffer;
}

The thing is when I get it on client it is different size and different byte array, I googled and found this link helpful http://www.codeproject.com/Questions/778483/How-to-Get-byte-array-properly-from-an-Web-Api-Met.

But can I know why this happens? Also, what is an alternate way to send back that file contents from the server?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 496

Answers (1)

jorgonor
jorgonor

Reputation: 1719

With the given information I think it must have something to do with content negotiation. I can't tell the reason, but what I'm sure it's that there is a different approach to serve files behind a Web Api.

var response = Request.CreateResponse(HttpStatusCode.OK);
var stream = new FileStream(pathToFile, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read);

response.Content = new StreamContent(stream);
response.Content.Headers.ContentType = new MediaTypeHeaderValue("application/octet-stream");
return ResponseMessage(response);

With this solution, you serve the file contents returning an IHttpActionResult instance. And, returning a response with StreamContent you are returning a stream that must not be modified by Web Api Content Negotation.

Upvotes: 1

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