SignalR

SignalR is a library that provides real-time web functionality to applications using WebSocket transport (if HTML 5 is supported; older transport methods will be used if it is not supported). It has the ability for a server to push data to its clients in real-time as it becomes available; this means we do not have to repeatedly ask the server for data (such as refreshing/recalling the Web API).

In order to set up SignalR, we must first set up a SignalR Hub on the server side; our clients (mobile projects) will use access this Hub by creating a HubConnection and creating a HubProxy from which the server and client can call functions on either side.

Now let's get into development; we will have the same hardware set up as the last chapter. We will set up a locally hosted backend via Visual Studio and build our mobile projects via Xamarin Studio on MacOSX. Open up Visual Studio, create a newASP.NET web application, and call it Chat.

Then we must select a template; select the Empty template...