Serialization is the process of translating binary objects into a data format that can be transmitted across process boundaries, computer boundaries, and network boundaries. When serialized data reaches the destination, or endpoint, it can be deserialized back into binary objects for use by an application. Both ASMX and WCF use SOAP for messages passed between two endpoints. However, for serialization, each uses different classes that implement different rules.
ASMX uses the XmlSerializer to translate classes into XML for communication, and to translate the XML back into classes on the receiver's end. All public members are serialized unless they are marked as non-serializable using the XmlIgnoreAttribute. A large number of attributes can also be used to control the structure of the XML. For example, a property can be represented as an attribute using theXmlAttributeAttribute, or as an element using the XmlElementAttribute. The use of these attributes provides a great deal of control over how a type is serialized into XML; however, that power comes with an unfortunate downside. It may be possible to create XML structures that are not easily translated by other type systems, such as Java; XML structures that are not easily translated can hamper interoperability.
WCF uses a DataContractSerializer to perform the same translation; however, the behavior is different from the XmlSerializer. The XmlSerializer uses an implicit model where all public properties are serialized unless they are marked with the XmlIgnoreAttribute, but the DataContractSerializer uses an explicit model where the properties and/or fields that you want to serialize must be marked with aDataMemberAttribute. It is important to note that WCF can also use the XmlSerializer to perform serialization operations.
A notable difference between ASMX and WCF is the WCF ability to serialize class members regardless of the access specifier used. This means it is now possible to serialize private fields. Using this capability, you can encapsulate fields in a data type. For example, you can provide read-only access to a private field by implementing only the get method on a property. You can then serialize that private field by adding the DataMemberattribute to the field in a WCF service.
Another important difference is that the DataContractSerializer generates a simplified XML structure that increases its ability to interoperate between different operating systems. In addition, the ability for users to control the XML structure is limited. This simplified structure also means that future versions of WCF will be able to target this structure for optimization. Finally, in comparison to the XmlSerializer, the serialization of data is greatly improved with the DataContractSerializer.
Recommendation
Using WCF, you can use the XmlSerializer for types that are already created. However, to maximize interoperability, it is recommended to use WCF data contracts and the DataContractSerializer. The Web Service Software Factory (ASMX) guidance package, also referred to as the ASMX guidance package, creates types that should also migrate to WCF data contracts if no additional XML serialization attributes, such asXmlAttributeAttribute, are added. The ASMX guidance package includes an XmlNamespaceAttribute to specify the namespace of the types.
Developers can use the SOAP extensions feature of ASP.NET to interact directly with SOAP messages. By using SOAP extensions, you can intercept the SOAP message and insert your own code into the SOAP message pipeline, which allows you to extend the capabilities of SOAP. For example, features such as security, transaction management, routing, and tracing can be implemented by using SOAP extensions. The downside of this capability is that it reduces the SOAP message's ability to interoperate with other operating systems. In other words, other operating systems may not be able to handle a SOAP message that has been customized.
WCF does not support the use of SOAP extensions, but it does have other extensibility points that can be used to intercept and manipulate SOAP messages. For example, you can use a behavior extension to hook into the WCF Dispatcher with a class that implements IDispatchMessageInspector.
Recommendation
Avoid the use of SOAP extensions when developing new ASMX services that will be migrated to WCF unless you are willing to rewrite them or if you are confident that WCF provides a similar capability.
3. Transport Protocols
ASMX services use the HTTP transport protocol for communications with Internet Information Services (IIS) as the host. An ASMX service file has the file name extension .asmx, which is accessed using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); for example, http://localhost/ASMXEmployee/EmployeeManager.asmx.
WCF services can also use the HTTP protocol, but unlike ASMX services, you also have the option to use other transport protocols. The following protocols are supported by WCF:
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
- Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
- Message Queuing (also known as MSMQ)
- Named pipes
Many different hosts can also be used with WCF services. For example, IIS can be used as a host with the HTTP transport protocol. Windows services and stand-alone applications can be used as a host for other transport protocols.
Accessing a service hosted in IIS is similar to accessing an ASMX service; for example, http://localhost/WCFEmployee/EmployeeManager.svc.
The only difference between the two services is the file name extension. However, you can also configure a WCF service to use the .asmx file name extension, as described in the Service Configuration topic. WCF services that use other transport protocols are accessed using methods associated with the specific protocol.
When migrating an ASMX service to WCF, the protocol you choose is based on the client applications that will be accessing the service. If you need to support ASMX client applications, you also need to use the HTTP protocol. In addition, when configuring a WCF service for ASMX client applications, you need to configure the service to use BasicHttpBinding, as described in the Service Configuration topic.
Recommendation
When migrating services from ASMX to WCF, and if ASMX client applications need to access the migrated service, use the HTTP protocol and configure the new service to use BasicHttpBinding.
Typically, authentication and authorization with ASMX is done using IIS and ASP.NET security configurations and transport layer security. In addition, Web Service Extensions (WSE) can be used to provide additional security capabilities, such as message layer security.
WCF can use the same security components as ASMX, such as transport layer security and WSE. However, WCF also has its own built-in security, which allows for a consistent security programming model for any transport. The security implemented by WCF supports many of the same capabilities as IIS and WS-* security protocols. However, when using IIS, you must also enable anonymous access to the service so that WCF security is implemented.
A powerful reason for migrating an ASMX service to WCF is to take advantage of new security capabilities that are provided by WCF. For example, WCF provides support for claims-based authorization that provides finer-grained control over resources than role-based security. In addition, instead of depending on a transport protocol such as HTTP and extensions such as WSE, security is built into WCF. The end result is that security is consistent regardless of the host that is used to implement a WCF service.
Recommendation
When possible, migrate both client applications and services to WCF to take advantage of the new security features that are available with WCF. Use of the WCF Security guidance package is also recommended when configuring security for WCF services and client applications.
If a migrated WCF service must support ASMX client applications, you can use transport security associated with HTTP and HTTPS. You can also use WSE 3.0, but you must configure a custom WCF binding for this to work. For additional information about using WSE 3.0 with WCF
With ASMX services, unhandled exceptions are always returned to client applications as SOAP faults. An ASMX service can also throw the SoapException class, which provides more control over the content of the SOAP fault that is returned to the client application.
However, when an unhandled exception occurs, the default configuration of WCF protects sensitive data from exposure by not returning sensitive information in SOAP fault messages. You can override this behavior by adding a serviceDebug element to the service behavior in the configuration file that is associated with a WCF service. Overriding this behavior is not recommended for deployment; it should be used only in a development environment.
Similar to the SoapException class used with ASMX services, you can also throw a custom exception by using the FaultException type, where T is a data contract that contains the exception information. The use of custom exceptions also requires the declaration of a FaultContract on operations that will throw the exception.
The following code example demonstrates how a DataContract is used to define a FaultContract declared on a service operation in a ServiceContract.
ASMX services have access to the HttpContext class, which provides access to state managers with a different scope, such as application scope and session scope. ASP.NET also provides control over how state data is managed. Consequently, you should minimize the use of state in a service because of the effect it has on the scalability of an application. WCF provides extensible objects that can be used for state management. Extensible objects implement the System.ServiceModel.IExtensibleObject interface. The two main classes that implement theIExtensibleObject interface are ServiceHostBased and InstanceContext. The ServiceHostBased class provides the ability for all service instances in the same host to access the same state data. On the other hand, the InstanceContext class only allows access to state data within the same service instance. To implement state management in WCF, you need to define a class that implements the IExtension interface, which is used to hold the state data. Instances of this class can then be added to one of theIExtensibleObject classes using the Extensions property. The following code example shows how to implement state using the InstanceContext.
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