Asp.net Http E Commerce

How to `Process Raw HTTP Request Content` in ASP.NET for E-commerce Solutions

When creating an e-commerce solution with ASP.NET, one fundamental challenge is processing the raw HTTP request content you receive from payment service providers, such as PayPal. This article will outline a practical approach to parse the POST request that contains essential order information after a user completes a payment.

Understanding the Problem

For e-commerce applications, payment processing and integration with payment gateways like PayPal are critical. After a user successfully completes a payment, PayPal sends back various details in a raw HTTP request. Here’s an example of what that content might look like:

SUCCESS
first_name=Jane+Doe
last_name=Smith
payment_status=Completed
payer_email=janedoesmith%40hotmail.com
payment_gross=3.99
mc_currency=USD
custom=For+the+purchase+of+the+rare+book+Green+Eggs+%26+Ham

From this content, you need to extract relevant information and decide on the next steps—be it storing the data in a database or sending a confirmation email.

Proposed Solution

Here’s a step-by-step solution on how to effectively process the raw HTTP request content in ASP.NET.

Step 1: Set up the Handling of POST Requests

First, ensure you are set up to handle POST requests from PayPal. You can do this in the onload event of your page or within a specific handler (recommended for efficiency).

if (Request.RequestType == "POST")
{
    using (StreamReader sr = new StreamReader(Request.InputStream))
    {
        if (sr.ReadLine() == "SUCCESS")
        {
            /* Do your parsing here */
        }
    }
}

Step 2: Parse the Raw Data

In the if (sr.ReadLine() == "SUCCESS") section, you can add the parsing logic to extract details from the string.

Use the Split method to separate key-value pairs and then process each one.
You might want to create a dictionary to hold these values.

Step 3: Save or Process the Data

Once you successfully extract the data, the next step is determining how to use it. You have various options:

Save to Database: Store the order details directly into your database for future reference.
Send Confirmation: Trigger an email or notification confirming the order to the customer.

Step 4: Respond to the Request

After processing the data, it’s crucial to give PayPal a response. Since they might not want your full webpage, you can send a simple acknowledgment like this:

Response.Clear();
Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
Response.Write("Thanks!");
Response.End();

Step 5: Consider Using a Generic Handler

For better performance and less overhead, it’s advisable to implement this logic in a Generic Handler (.ashx file). This way, you minimize the load of the extensive page model.

For more information on creating a Generic Handler, check out this article.

Final Thoughts

Processing raw HTTP requests in ASP.NET can initially seem daunting, especially in an e-commerce context. By following the structured approach outlined above, you can effectively parse incoming PayPal data and take meaningful actions based on it. Whether it’s saving to a database or sending a confirmation, being equipped with this knowledge will enhance your e-commerce application’s functionality.

How to Process Raw HTTP Request Content in ASP.NET for E-commerce Solutions