Different Types Of Action Results In ASP.NET MVC

public ViewResult About()
{
    ViewBag.Message = "Your application description page.";
    return View();
}

public PartialViewResult Index()
{
    return PartialView("_PartialView");
}

We should create a Partial view inside the shared folder, otherwise, we cannot access the Partial view. The diagram is shown above the Partial view page and Layout page because the layout page is a Partial view. Partial View Result class is also derived from the Action Result.

Redirect Result

Redirect result is returning the result to a specific URL. It is rendered to the page by URL. If it gives the wrong URL, it will show 404 page errors.

public RedirectResult Index()
{
    return Redirect("Home/Contact");
}

Redirect to Action Result

Redirect to Action result is returning the result to a specified controller and action method. The controller name is optional in the Redirect to Action method. If not mentioned, the Controller name redirects to a mentioned action method in the current Controller. Suppose the action name is not available but mentioned in the current controller, then it will show a 404-page error.

public ActionResult Index()
{
    return RedirectToAction("Login", "Account");
}

JSON Result

JSON result is a significant Action Result in MVC. It will return a simple text file format and key-value pairs. If we call the action method, using Ajax, it should return a JSON result.

public ActionResult Index()
{
    var persons = new List<Person1>
    {
        new Person1 { Id = 1, FirstName = "Harry", LastName = "Potter" },
        new Person1 { Id = 2, FirstName = "James", LastName = "Raj" }
    };

    return Json(persons, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
}

Output

While returning more data in JSON format, there is a need to mention the maximum length. Assign the maximum length of data Using the “MaxJsonLength” property.

public ActionResult Index()
{
    var persons = new List<Person1>
    {
        new Person1 { Id = 1, FirstName = "Harry", LastName = "Potter" },
        new Person1 { Id = 2, FirstName = "James", LastName = "Raj" }
    };

    var jsonResult = Json(persons, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
    jsonResult.MaxJsonLength = int.MaxValue;
    return jsonResult;
}

File Result

File Result returns a different file format view page when we implement the file download concept in MVC using file result. Simple examples of file results are shown below.

public ActionResult Index()
{
    return File("Web.Config", "text");
}

Output

Content Result

Content result returns different content formats to view. MVC returns different formats using content returns like HTML format, Java Script format and any other format.

Example

public ActionResult Contact()
{
    ViewBag.Message = "Your contact page.";
    
    return View();
}

Output

public ActionResult Index()
{
    return Content("<script>alert('Welcome To All');</script>");
}

Output

Conclusion

This article explains about Action Results. It is very useful for new MVC learners and students.