Sending Requests

With a configured HttpRequestBuilder instance, sending a request is as simple as calling one of the provided asynchronous extension methods. Each method corresponds to a common HTTP verb and handles the appropriate request setup for you.

Each of the extensions methods below takes an optional HttpCompletionOptions flag and/or CancellationToken.

DeleteAsync

Use DeleteAsync() to send an HTTP DELETE request.

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute($"/users/12345")
    .DeleteAsync();

This method automatically creates a HttpRequestMessage using HttpMethod.Delete and sends it using the underlying HttpClient. It returns an HttpResponseMessage that you can inspect or deserialize as needed.

GetAsync

Use GetAsync() to send an HTTP GET request.

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute("/users")
    .WithQueryParam("limit", 10)
    .WithQueryParam("offset", 0)
    .GetAsync();

if (response.IsSuccessStatusCode)
{
    // Handle response
}

This method automatically creates a HttpRequestMessage using HttpMethod.Get and sends it using the underlying HttpClient. It returns an HttpResponseMessage that you can inspect or deserialize as needed.

PostAsync

Use PostAsync() to send an HTTP POST request with content.

var newUser = new { Name = "Alice", Email = "alice@example.com" };

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute("/users")
    .WithJsonContent(newUser)
    .PostAsync();

This method automatically creates a HttpRequestMessage using HttpMethod.Post and sends it using the underlying HttpClient. It returns an HttpResponseMessage that you can inspect or deserialize as needed. Any HttpContent configured on the builder (such as JSON, XML, or form data) will be included in the body of the request.

PutAsync

Use PutAsync() to send an HTTP PUT request, often used to update an existing resource.

var updatedUser = new { Name = "Alice Updated", Email = "alice@example.com" };

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute($"/users/12345")
    .WithJsonContent(updatedUser)
    .PutAsync();

This method automatically creates a HttpRequestMessage using HttpMethod.Put and sends it using the underlying HttpClient. It returns an HttpResponseMessage that you can inspect or deserialize as needed. Any HttpContent configured on the builder (such as JSON, XML, or form data) will be included in the body of the request.

Other Methods

You can also send requests using any custom or less common HTTP method by calling SendAsync() directly.

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute("/users/12345")
    .SendAsync(HttpMethod.Head);

Or with additional options:

var response = await client
    .UsingRoute("/health")
    .SendAsync(HttpMethod.Options, HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead);

The SendAsync() method provides full control over the request method, completion behavior, and cancellation token, making it useful for advanced or non-standard HTTP operations.

Summary

FluentHttpClient's sending methods provide a clean, expressive way to send HTTP requests without repetitive boilerplate. Each method automatically constructs and sends the appropriate HttpRequestMessage, ensuring consistency and readability across your codebase.