ASHX File – What is .ashx file and how to open it?

What is a ASHX file?

Definition:

An ASHX file is an ASP.NET Web Handler File, a dynamic web file type used on Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) web servers. It is written in ASP.NET, a web application framework, and allows for the creation of custom HTTP handlers to extend and enhance the capabilities of ASP.NET web pages. Web handlers allow developers to handle specific HTTP requests and process them accordingly.

Characteristics:

ASHX files serve various purposes, including:

• Extending the functionality of ASP.NET applications by processing specific HTTP requests, such as handling file uploads, processing data, or interacting with external services.
• Creating custom error pages for specific HTTP status codes, providing more informative and tailored error messages to users.
• Implementing custom page handlers for specific URL requests, allowing developers to handle specific URLs differently based on business logic or data requirements.

Opening and Viewing ASHX Files

An ASHX file is a text file that contains ASP.NET (Active Server Pages.NET) code. To open and view the contents of an ASHX file, you can use any text editor, such as Notepad, Microsoft WordPad, or a dedicated code editor like Visual Studio or Notepad++. Text editors allow you to view and edit the code within the file, including the embedded HTML, JavaScript, and other elements.

Alternatively, if you have the ASP.NET runtime installed, you can open an ASHX file directly in a web browser by typing its URL into the address bar, followed by the file name. For example, if the ASHX file is named “MyHandler.ashx,” you would type “http://localhost/MyHandler.ashx” into the browser address bar. This will execute the ASP.NET code in the file and display the output in the browser window.

What is an ASHX File?

An ASHX file is a type of ASP.NET web handler file that is used to extend the functionality of ASP.NET web applications. It is a text-based file that contains server-side code written in any .NET language, such as C#, VB.NET, or F#. ASHX files are compiled and executed on the server, and they can be used to handle a variety of HTTP requests, such as GET, POST, and PUT.

Advantages of Using ASHX Files

ASHX files offer several advantages over other methods of extending ASP.NET web applications. First, they are relatively easy to create and maintain. Simply create a new text file, add some code, and save it with an .ASHX extension. Second, ASHX files are compiled into assemblies, which makes them more efficient and secure than interpreted code. Third, ASHX files can be used to handle a wide variety of HTTP requests, which makes them a versatile option for extending the functionality of ASP.NET web applications.

Other Extensions