How to Retrieve Images from Your ASP.NET Core Web API Published on Azure

Learn how to get images from your ASP.NET Core Web API hosted on Azure with a step-by-step guide, including code examples and explanations.
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How to Retrieve Images from Your ASP.NET Core Web API Published on Azure

In this guide, we will explore the steps to successfully retrieve images from your ASP.NET Core Web API published on Azure.

The Challenge

You’ve created a folder named Image, saved your PNG image there, and published your API to Azure. However, when you try to access your image via a direct link, it fails. This is likely due to the need for static files to be configured properly within your ASP.NET Core application.

Setting Up Static Files

To enable your application to serve static files like images, you need to use the app.UseStaticFiles() method in the Configure method of your Startup class. However, since you're using a Web API framework, you'll handle image retrieval a bit differently.

Follow these steps to create an API endpoint that will allow you to download images stored in the Image folder:

Step 1: Create a Controller

You will need a controller to handle your image serving logic. Here’s a sample implementation:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Explanation of the Code

Controller Definition: Inherits from ControllerBase and uses the ApiController attribute for automatic model validation and API conventions.

Constructor: Injects the IWebHostEnvironment service which provides information about the web hosting environment, including the path to the content root.

DownloadImage Method:

Accepts a fileName parameter, which is used to locate the image file.

Combines the content root path with the Image folder and the provided file name to create the absolute path to the image.

Reads the image as a byte array asynchronously.

Content Type Mapping: Uses FileExtensionContentTypeProvider to determine the appropriate content type of the file. If the content type cannot be found, an error is thrown.

Returning the File: Uses the File method to return the byte array along with its content type, making it available for download or display to the client.

Step 3: Testing the API

Once you've set up your controller, you can deploy it to Azure. To test:

Ensure your images are uploaded to the correct Image directory on Azure.

Make a GET request to your API with the following URL format:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This should return the image in the response.

Conclusion

By following these straightforward steps, you can successfully configure your ASP.NET Core Web API to serve images stored on your server. With the controller setup, you can now access images using a clear API endpoint format. This not only enhances the usability of your application but also provides a powerful way to serve media files seamlessly.

If you have any questions or need additional help, feel free to leave a comment!