In this article I will explain with an example, how to use and access Session variables in Generic Handler in ASP.Net using C# and VB.Net.
By default, Session is disabled inside the Generic Handler and hence in order to use and access Session variables we need to inherit the IRequiresSessionState interface.
Adding Generic Handler
You will need to add a new Generic Handler (ASHX) file using Add New Item Dialog of Visual Studio as shown below.
![Use and access Session variables in Generic Handler in ASP.Net]()
Building the Generic Handler for accessing Session
Inside the Generic Handler, the IRequiresSessionState interface which belongs to the System.Web.SessionState namespace is inherited.
Inside the ProcessRequest event handler of the Generic Handler, the value of Session variable is fetched and sent to client using Response.Write method.
C#
<%@ WebHandler Language="C#" Class="Handler" %>
using System;
using System.Web;
using System.Web.SessionState;
public class Handler : IHttpHandler, IRequiresSessionState
{
public void ProcessRequest (HttpContext context) {
string name = context.Session["Name"].ToString();
context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
context.Response.Write(name);
}
public bool IsReusable {
get {
return false;
}
}
}
VB.Net
<%@ WebHandler Language="VB" Class="Handler" %>
Imports System
Imports System.Web
Imports System.Web.SessionState
Public Class Handler : Implements IHttpHandler, IRequiresSessionState
Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest
Dim name As String = context.Session("Name").ToString()
context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
context.Response.Write(name)
End Sub
Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
Get
Return False
End Get
End Property
End Class
HTML Markup
The following HTML Markup consists of an ASP.Net TextBox and a Button control.
The Button has been assigned with an OnClick event handler.
<asp:TextBox ID="txtName" runat="server" />
<asp:Button ID="Button1" Text="Send to Handler" runat="server" OnClick="Submit" />
Setting TextBox value in Session and calling the Generic handler in ASP.Net
When Submit button is clicked, the following event handler is executed.
Inside this event handler, the value of the TextBox is saved in a Session variable and page is redirected to the Generic Handler.
C#
protected void Submit(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
Session["Name"] = txtName.Text;
Response.Redirect("~/Handler.ashx");
}
VB.Net
Protected Sub Submit(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)
Session("Name") = txtName.Text
Response.Redirect("~/Handler.ashx")
End Sub
Screenshot
![Use and access Session variables in Generic Handler in ASP.Net]()
Demo
Downloads
