C# - How to make a HTTP call

Question

I wanted to make an HTTP call to a website. I just need to hit the URL and dont want to upload or download any data. What is the easiest and fastest way to do it.

I tried below code but its slow and after 2nd repetitive request it just goes into timeout for 59 secounds and than resume:

WebRequest webRequest = WebRequest.Create("http://ussbazesspre004:9002/DREADD?" + fileName); webRequest.Method = "POST"; webRequest.ContentType = "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"; webRequest.ContentLength = fileName.Length;  Stream os = webRequest.GetRequestStream(); os.Write(buffer, 0, buffer.Length); os.Close(); 

Is using the WebClient more efficient??

WebClient web = new WebClient(); web.UploadString(address); 

I am using .NET ver 3.5

Answer 1

You've got some extra stuff in there if you're really just trying to call a website. All you should need is:

WebRequest webRequest = WebRequest.Create("http://ussbazesspre004:9002/DREADD?" + fileName); WebResponse webResp = webRequest.GetResponse(); 

If you don't want to wait for a response, you may look at BeginGetResponse to make it asynchronous .

Answer 2

If you don't want to upload any data you should use:

webRequest.Method = "GET"; 

If you really don't care about getting any data back (for instance if you just want to check to see if the page is available) use:

webRequest.Method = "HEAD"; 

In either case, instead of webRequest.GetRequestStream() use:

WebResponse myWebResponse = webRequest.GetResponse();