Subclassing WCFs Based on an Abstract Class

Question

I have an abstract class that I would like to provide in WCF so that any subclasses can also be run as a WCF service.
This is what I have so far:

[ServiceContract(Name = "PeopleManager", Namespace = "http://localhost:8001/People")] [ServiceBehavior(IncludeExceptionDetailInFaults = true)] [DataContract(Namespace="http://localhost:8001/People")] [KnownType(typeof(Child))] public abstract class Parent { [OperationContract] [WebInvoke(Method = "PUT", UriTemplate = "{name}/{description}")] public abstract int CreatePerson(string name, string description); [OperationContract] [WebGet(UriTemplate = "Person/{id}")] public abstract Person GetPerson(int id); } public class Child : Parent { public int CreatePerson(string name, string description){...} public Person GetPerson(int id){...} } 

When trying to create a service in my code, I use this method:

 public static void RunService() { Type t = typeof(Parent); //or typeof(Child) ServiceHost svcHost = new ServiceHost(t, new Uri("http://localhost:8001/People")); svcHost.AddServiceEndpoint(t, new BasicHttpBinding(), "Basic"); svcHost.Open(); } 

When using a parent as a service type, I get The contract name 'Parent' could not be found in the list of contracts implemented by the service 'Parent'. OR Service implementation type is an interface or abstract class and no implementation object was provided.

and when using Child as a service type, I get The service class of type Namespace.Child both defines a ServiceContract and inherits a ServiceContract from type Namespace.Parent. Contract inheritance can only be used among interface types. If a class is marked with ServiceContractAttribute, then another service class cannot derive from it. The service class of type Namespace.Child both defines a ServiceContract and inherits a ServiceContract from type Namespace.Parent. Contract inheritance can only be used among interface types. If a class is marked with ServiceContractAttribute, then another service class cannot derive from it.

Is there a way to expose the functions in the Child class, so I don’t need to specifically add WCF attributes?

Edit
So this is

 [ServiceContract(Name= "WCF_Mate", Namespace="http://localhost:8001/People")] public interface IWcfClass{} public abstract class Parent : IWcfClass {...} public class Child : Parent, IWcfClass {...} 

with the launch of the baby return service
The contract type Namespace.Child is not attributed with ServiceContractAttribute. In order to define a valid contract, the specified type (either contract interface or service class) must be attributed with ServiceContractAttribute.

Answer 1

A service contract is usually an interface, not a class. Put your contract in an interface, suggest an abstract class to implement this interface and tell us what happens when you use Child to start the service.

Edit: Ok, now you need to change the RunService method below. The type of contract if IWcfClass, not a child or parent.

 public static void RunService() { Type t = typeof(Child); ServiceHost svcHost = new ServiceHost(t, new Uri("http://localhost:8001/People")); svcHost.AddServiceEndpoint(typeof(IWcfClass), new BasicHttpBinding(), "Basic"); svcHost.Open(); }