How to properly instantiate HttpContext object?

Question

I am trying to create a simple code to retrieve a string for the current url as follows:

string currentURL = HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.ToString();

However, I get the error upon running the code: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

I assume I have to create an instance of HttpContext. The arguments for HttpContext are either HttpContext(HttpRequest request, HttpResponse response) or HttpContext(HttpWorkerRequest wr).

Is there documentation that details how to work with these arguments? I'm fairly new to C#, so I'm not entirely sure how to instantiate this object properly, and have not found any resources that have been helpful (including MS library).

Why do you have to create an instance of HttpContext? Where is this code located? You don't want to create it on your own, it's created when routing occurs. — Mike Perrenoud
– Mike Perrenoud, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 14:30
Sounds like you are making a utility class. In that case work with HttpContext within your codebehind and do anything utility-like in the utility class. I've had this issue before. — RealityDysfunction
– RealityDysfunction, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 14:33
The fact that you're getting an ObjectReference exception doesn't mean that the Current context is null. You have two other chained properties that could throw that error. Are you certain it's the Current context property? — Mike Perrenoud
– Mike Perrenoud, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 14:40
Hi @neoistheone, to be honest I am not sure that it's the Current context property, I was assuming that was where the exception was occurring. After inputting Mark's solution, I continue to get the ObjectReference exception, so I am not sure where the issue lies within the HttpContext line. — TestK
– TestK, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 14:44
@TestK, well I would say throw a breakpoint on that line and figure out which property is null. That will be step 1. — Mike Perrenoud
– Mike Perrenoud, Commented Oct 7, 2013 at 14:46

Mark Cidade · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-07 14:57:08Z

The HttpContext object is instantiated, once per request thread, by the ASP.NET infrastructure. You have to be running ASP.NET on a web server (e.g., IIS) for it to be available. It is not meant to be initialized in user code. You are already accessing that instance through the HttpContext.Current static property. It will be null if you are not running ASP.NET.

If you really wanted to, though, you could instantiate one based on the request and response of an existing HttpContext:

var request = HttpContext.Current.Request; var response = HttpContext.Current.Response; var newContext = new HttpContext(request, response);

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