Final answer:
WCF supports several Message Exchange Patterns (MEPs) such as Request-Reply, One-Way, and Duplex, each enabling different communication scenarios between client and server.
Step-by-step explanation:
WCF (Windows Communication Foundation) supports several Message Exchange Patterns (MEPs) that define how messages are sent and received between endpoints. These patterns allow developers to build a variety of communication scenarios based on the requirements of their applications. The supported MEPs in WCF include:
- Request-Reply: This is the most common pattern, where the client sends a request message to the service and waits for a reply. It is similar to a synchronous method call.
- One-Way: In this pattern, the client sends a message without expecting any response. It is useful when the client does not need a confirmation that the message has been processed.
- Duplex: This pattern allows for two-way communication where the service can also send messages back to the client independently. It is used for scenarios where the server needs to push data or events to the client asynchronously.
Understanding these MEPs is crucial in designing WCF services that meet specific interaction requirements between client and server.