Should i go for WCF or ASMX web service

Question

My website currently working in ASP.NET 1.1

Old Process

In our database we have huge amount of data stored for a decoding purpose. We have to update this huge set of data table each week(Data is supplied from a vendor).

In our website (in asp.net 1.1) we query our database to decode information.

New process

Now instead of storing data in our database and query them, we want to replace this through the web service, AS now the vendor is supplying us a DLL, which will give us the decoded information.

Information on the DLL provided by the vendor

The DLL provided, can only be added in 4.0 sites. SO that also impleies that i can not directly add the dll to my 1.1 site. This DLL is exposing certain methods, we simply have to add the DLL refernce in our web service and call the method and fetch the needed information.

Thus we will not have to store those information in our database.

So which type of web service I should go for (asmx OR WCF) that will use the DLLs provided by vendor to fetch the decoded information ??

Flexibility i am looking for in the web service are:

• It can be consumed from asp.net 1.1 site directly and also using jQuery ajax.
• It can be consumed from other web services running on the server.
• It can be consumed from some windows services running from the server.

NOTE : Moreover we have a plan to migrate our website from asp.net 1.1 to 4.0 version in future.So it should be that much supportive for future upgrade.

Answer 1

If I understand you correctly, you intend to create a Web Service that is going to reference the DLL provided by the vendor and return the decoded data to your ASP.NET 1.1 website.

I would seriously suggest you to go for a WCF web service as it targets the .NET 4.0 Framework. Believe me it is going to payoff in the long run. Moreover, .asmx web services are considered a legacy technology according to the MSDN (feel free to consult the MSDN). Go ahead with WCF, do not start with a disadvantage!