OpenAPI .NET (How It Works For Developers)

OpenAPI, formerly known as Swagger, is a specification for building and describing RESTful APIs. It allows developers to define the structure of their APIs in a standardized format, enabling various tools and services to understand and interact with the REST API effectively and provide feedback. In the .NET ecosystem, OpenAPI .NET integration is facilitated through several libraries and tools that make it easier to create, document, and consume APIs.

In this article, we will learn about OpenAPI support specifications and how to create a PDF file using IronPDF and return it as an API call response.

Setting Up OpenAPI in .NET

To get started with the OpenAPI .NET project, you typically use the Swashbuckle library, which generates OpenAPI specification or documentation for your ASP.NET Core APIs.

Step 1: Install Swashbuckle

First, you need to install the Swashbuckle.AspNetCore package via NuGet in Visual Studio. You can do this using the NuGet Package Manager Console:

Install-Package Swashbuckle.AspNetCore

Or by using the .NET CLI:

dotnet add package Swashbuckle.AspNetCore

Step 2: Configure Swashbuckle

Next, you need to configure Swashbuckle in your ASP.NET Core project. This involves updating the Startup.cs file to add Swagger services and configure the Swagger middleware.

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);

// Add services to the container.
builder.Services.AddControllers();
// Learn more about configuring Swagger/OpenAPI description at https://aka.ms/aspnetcore/swashbuckle
builder.Services.AddEndpointsApiExplorer();
builder.Services.AddSwaggerGen();

var app = builder.Build();

// Configure the HTTP request pipeline.
if (app.Environment.IsDevelopment())
{
    app.UseSwagger();
    app.UseSwaggerUI();
}

app.UseHttpsRedirection();
app.UseAuthorization();
app.MapControllers();
app.Run();

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);

// Add services to the container.
builder.Services.AddControllers();
// Learn more about configuring Swagger/OpenAPI description at https://aka.ms/aspnetcore/swashbuckle
builder.Services.AddEndpointsApiExplorer();
builder.Services.AddSwaggerGen();

var app = builder.Build();

// Configure the HTTP request pipeline.
if (app.Environment.IsDevelopment())
{
    app.UseSwagger();
    app.UseSwaggerUI();
}

app.UseHttpsRedirection();
app.UseAuthorization();
app.MapControllers();
app.Run();

Dim builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args)

' Add services to the container.
builder.Services.AddControllers()
' Learn more about configuring Swagger/OpenAPI description at https://aka.ms/aspnetcore/swashbuckle
builder.Services.AddEndpointsApiExplorer()
builder.Services.AddSwaggerGen()

Dim app = builder.Build()

' Configure the HTTP request pipeline.
If app.Environment.IsDevelopment() Then
	app.UseSwagger()
	app.UseSwaggerUI()
End If

app.UseHttpsRedirection()
app.UseAuthorization()
app.MapControllers()
app.Run()

Generating and Viewing API Documentation

Once Swashbuckle is configured, running your application will automatically generate OpenAPI documentation. You can view these OpenAPI descriptions by navigating to the Swagger UI, usually accessible at http://localhost:5000/swagger.

Using OpenAPI Definitions

OpenAPI definitions are powerful tools that can be used for generating client SDKs, testing APIs, and ensuring consistency across different services. The OpenAPI specification defines a standard, language-agnostic interface to APIs, which allows both humans and computers to understand the capabilities of a service without access to the source code.

Extending OpenAPI with Custom Annotations

Swashbuckle allows you to enhance your OpenAPI documentation with custom annotations. These annotations can be added directly to your controllers and models to provide additional information about the API's behavior and data structures.

Example: Custom Annotations

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    [ApiController]
    [Route("[controller]")]
    public class WeatherForecastController : ControllerBase
    {
        private static readonly string[] Summaries = new[]
        {
            "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching"
        };

        private readonly ILogger<WeatherForecastController> _logger;

        public WeatherForecastController(ILogger<WeatherForecastController> logger)
        {
            _logger = logger;
        }

        [HttpGet(Name = "GetWeatherForecast")] 
        [SwaggerOperation(Summary = "Gets the weather forecast for the next 5 days")]
        [SwaggerResponse(200, "Successfully retrieved weather forecast")]
        public IEnumerable<WeatherForecast> Get()
        {
            return Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(index => new WeatherForecast
            {
                Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
                TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
                Summary = Summaries[Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length)]
            })
            .ToArray();
        }
    }
}

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    [ApiController]
    [Route("[controller]")]
    public class WeatherForecastController : ControllerBase
    {
        private static readonly string[] Summaries = new[]
        {
            "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching"
        };

        private readonly ILogger<WeatherForecastController> _logger;

        public WeatherForecastController(ILogger<WeatherForecastController> logger)
        {
            _logger = logger;
        }

        [HttpGet(Name = "GetWeatherForecast")] 
        [SwaggerOperation(Summary = "Gets the weather forecast for the next 5 days")]
        [SwaggerResponse(200, "Successfully retrieved weather forecast")]
        public IEnumerable<WeatherForecast> Get()
        {
            return Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(index => new WeatherForecast
            {
                Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
                TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
                Summary = Summaries[Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length)]
            })
            .ToArray();
        }
    }
}

Imports Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc

Namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
	<ApiController>
	<Route("[controller]")>
	Public Class WeatherForecastController
		Inherits ControllerBase

		Private Shared ReadOnly Summaries() As String = { "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching" }

		Private ReadOnly _logger As ILogger(Of WeatherForecastController)

		Public Sub New(ByVal logger As ILogger(Of WeatherForecastController))
			_logger = logger
		End Sub

		<HttpGet(Name := "GetWeatherForecast")>
		<SwaggerOperation(Summary := "Gets the weather forecast for the next 5 days")>
		<SwaggerResponse(200, "Successfully retrieved weather forecast")>
		Public Function [Get]() As IEnumerable(Of WeatherForecast)
			Return Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(Function(index) New WeatherForecast With {
				.Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
				.TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
				.Summary = Summaries(Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length))
			}).ToArray()
		End Function
	End Class
End Namespace

In this example, the SwaggerOperation and SwaggerResponse attributes are used to provide detailed OpenAPI descriptions and response codes for the endpoint.

Output

Click on the Execute button and you will get the following response.

IronPDF

IronPDF for ASP.NET is a powerful tool that enables seamless generation and manipulation of PDF documents within ASP.NET applications. With its intuitive API and robust functionality, developers can effortlessly integrate PDF generation into their web projects, offering enhanced document management capabilities to users. Whether it's creating PDFs from scratch, converting HTML content to PDF, or adding dynamic elements like images and text, IronPDF simplifies the process, ensuring efficient and professional document generation.

Steps to install using NuGet Package Manager:

1. Open your ASP.NET project in Visual Studio and navigate to the "Tools" menu.
2. Select "NuGet Package Manager" and then click on "Manage NuGet Packages for Solution."
3. In the "Browse" tab, search for "IronPDF" and select the desired version. Click on "Install" to add the package to your project. IronPDF and its dependencies will be automatically downloaded and integrated, allowing you to start leveraging its functionality in your ASP.NET application seamlessly.

Get PDF File in Response to API Call

Add the following code to your controller file, it uses IronPDF to create a PDF file and return a PDF file to API Call.

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
using IronPdf;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    [ApiController]
    [Route("[controller]")]
    public class WeatherForecastController : ControllerBase
    {
        private static readonly string[] Summaries = new[]
        {
            "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching"
        };

        private readonly ILogger<WeatherForecastController> _logger;

        public WeatherForecastController(ILogger<WeatherForecastController> logger)
        {
            _logger = logger;
        }

        [HttpGet(Name = "GetWeatherForecast")]
        public IActionResult GetWeatherForecastPdf()
        {
            var htmlContent = @"
        <html>
        <head>
            <title>Weather Forecast</title>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Weather Forecast</h1>
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <th>Date</th>
                    <th>Temperature (Celsius)</th>
                    <th>Summary</th>
                </tr>";

            var forecasts = Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(index => new WeatherForecast
            {
                Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
                TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
                Summary = Summaries[Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length)]
            });

            foreach (var forecast in forecasts)
            {
                htmlContent += $@"
            <tr>
                <td>{forecast.Date.ToShortDateString()}</td>
                <td>{forecast.TemperatureC}</td>
                <td>{forecast.Summary}</td>
            </tr>";
            }

            htmlContent += @"
            </table>
        </body>
        </html>";

            // Convert HTML to PDF
            var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            var pdfDocument = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

            // Return PDF file
            var pdfBytes = pdfDocument.BinaryData;
            return File(pdfBytes, "application/pdf", "WeatherForecast.pdf");
        }
    }
}

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
using IronPdf;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    [ApiController]
    [Route("[controller]")]
    public class WeatherForecastController : ControllerBase
    {
        private static readonly string[] Summaries = new[]
        {
            "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching"
        };

        private readonly ILogger<WeatherForecastController> _logger;

        public WeatherForecastController(ILogger<WeatherForecastController> logger)
        {
            _logger = logger;
        }

        [HttpGet(Name = "GetWeatherForecast")]
        public IActionResult GetWeatherForecastPdf()
        {
            var htmlContent = @"
        <html>
        <head>
            <title>Weather Forecast</title>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Weather Forecast</h1>
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <th>Date</th>
                    <th>Temperature (Celsius)</th>
                    <th>Summary</th>
                </tr>";

            var forecasts = Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(index => new WeatherForecast
            {
                Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
                TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
                Summary = Summaries[Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length)]
            });

            foreach (var forecast in forecasts)
            {
                htmlContent += $@"
            <tr>
                <td>{forecast.Date.ToShortDateString()}</td>
                <td>{forecast.TemperatureC}</td>
                <td>{forecast.Summary}</td>
            </tr>";
            }

            htmlContent += @"
            </table>
        </body>
        </html>";

            // Convert HTML to PDF
            var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            var pdfDocument = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

            // Return PDF file
            var pdfBytes = pdfDocument.BinaryData;
            return File(pdfBytes, "application/pdf", "WeatherForecast.pdf");
        }
    }
}

Imports Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc
Imports IronPdf

Namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
	<ApiController>
	<Route("[controller]")>
	Public Class WeatherForecastController
		Inherits ControllerBase

		Private Shared ReadOnly Summaries() As String = { "Freezing", "Bracing", "Chilly", "Cool", "Mild", "Warm", "Balmy", "Hot", "Sweltering", "Scorching" }

		Private ReadOnly _logger As ILogger(Of WeatherForecastController)

		Public Sub New(ByVal logger As ILogger(Of WeatherForecastController))
			_logger = logger
		End Sub

		<HttpGet(Name := "GetWeatherForecast")>
		Public Function GetWeatherForecastPdf() As IActionResult
			Dim htmlContent = "
        <html>
        <head>
            <title>Weather Forecast</title>
        </head>
        <body>
            <h1>Weather Forecast</h1>
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <th>Date</th>
                    <th>Temperature (Celsius)</th>
                    <th>Summary</th>
                </tr>"

			Dim forecasts = Enumerable.Range(1, 5).Select(Function(index) New WeatherForecast With {
				.Date = DateTime.Now.AddDays(index),
				.TemperatureC = Random.Shared.Next(-20, 55),
				.Summary = Summaries(Random.Shared.Next(Summaries.Length))
			})

			For Each forecast In forecasts
				htmlContent &= $"
            <tr>
                <td>{forecast.Date.ToShortDateString()}</td>
                <td>{forecast.TemperatureC}</td>
                <td>{forecast.Summary}</td>
            </tr>"
			Next forecast

			htmlContent &= "
            </table>
        </body>
        </html>"

			' Convert HTML to PDF
			Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Dim pdfDocument = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent)

			' Return PDF file
			Dim pdfBytes = pdfDocument.BinaryData
			Return File(pdfBytes, "application/pdf", "WeatherForecast.pdf")
		End Function
	End Class
End Namespace

Download and open the attached PDF file.

Conclusion

OpenAPI, formerly known as Swagger, streamlines RESTful API design and documentation in the .NET ecosystem through libraries like Swashbuckle, facilitating automatic API documentation generation for ASP.NET Core projects. Demonstrating the synergy between OpenAPI and IronPDF, we showcased how to utilize IronPDF's capabilities to generate PDF files from HTML content and return them as API responses, enriching the functionality of ASP.NET applications. By embracing OpenAPI standards and leveraging IronPDF's robust features, developers can enhance their API documentation practices and deliver polished, feature-rich applications to users.

For detailed information on IronPDF licensing, please refer to the IronPDF license page. Additionally, you can explore our in-depth tutorial on HTML to PDF conversion for further guidance.