Why Use HttpClientFactory Over HttpClient in .NET

The diagram illustrates the request-response flow using .NET Core and HttpClientFactory. Image was obtained from Henrique Mauri

In .NET development, understanding how to make efficient, reliable, and scalable web requests is crucial. Two primary players in this domain are HttpClient and HttpClientFactory. While both serve the purpose of sending HTTP requests and receiving HTTP responses, there's a compelling case for preferring HttpClientFactory over the traditional HttpClient. This article aims to demystify these options in simple English, highlight the pitfalls of using HttpClient directly, and illustrate why HttpClientFactory is a superior choice for young developers eager to enhance their .NET skills.

The Tale of HttpClient: A Cautionary Story

Once upon a time, in the land of .NET, developers used HttpClient to make web requests. It was straightforward:

var client = new HttpClient();
var response = await client.GetAsync("https://example.com");
var content = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();

This code snippet looks innocent and effective, right? However, as applications grew and the number of requests increased, developers started encountering mysterious issues. The root of these problems lay in the misuse of HttpClient.

The Pitfalls of Direct HttpClient Usage

1. Socket Exhaustion: Every time you…