Wcf Data Service Client

Question

I am just getting started with using Wcf Data Services to expose an entity framework database. I am quite familiar with WCF in general but not with data services.

I am trying to create a client without having to run the program and add a service reference.

This is because the database is not created, or complete, and there are other developers working on this.

I have looked at using the DataService<T>.AttachHost() method however this requires a IDataServiceHost which apparently DataServiceHost does not implement.

Does any one know a way to achieve this, or am I stuck with add service reference.

Thanks

EDIT

Just to explain a little more, as on reflection my question was poorly phrased.

Here is an example of the network setup

SQL SERVER | Firewall | APP SERVER | Firewall | CLIENTS

So there is a database on the SQL SERVER (MS-SQL)

The WcfDataService is running on the APP SERVER on port 1234. WcfDataService implemented by inheriting from DataService<MyContext> and hosting in a windows service

The clients need to connect to the DataService, using endpoint something like - htp://app-server:123465/

How can I create a class, preferably with an associated interface so I can unit test which would connect to the DataService and use its methods.

Thanks

You can use the DataSvcUtil.exe tool to generate the code files from an entity model without having the service hosted anywhere. See msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd756369%28v=vs.110%29.aspx for more info. — ChrisO
Should have stated that we use code first, so the entites are POCO and there is a DbContext. Is this method possible with this setup, as I am not sure what a .csdl file is? — Nick Williams
The .csdl file is just the metadata file that is exposed when the service is hosted, it's a representation of your entity model. Add Service Reference uses that file to generate the client side DataServiceContext code. I searched for quite a while and haven't found a way to generate the DataServiceContext code from a code first model. — ChrisO
You might have some luck looking into the t4 templates released by the odata team a while ago, it's possible they could be adjusted for your needs: blogs.msdn.com/b/astoriateam/archive/2012/07/02/… — ChrisO
Thanks ChrisO I will look into T4, I have updated the question just in case anything wasn't clear. — Nick Williams

Tom Brothers Tom Brothers · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-08T16:32:13

It sounds like you are just asking how to create the client context. You can use DataServiceContext.

Example:

var serviceRoot = new Uri("http://app-server:123465/");
var context = new DataServiceContext(serviceRoot, DataServiceProtocolVersion.V3);

** There is more work beyond this... but this should get you started down the right path.

Wcf Data Service Client

1 Answers