What are the benefits of an ASHX handler file in asp.net?

Question

What are the benefits of using an ashx, or handler? Also, do I need them if I use MVC (and why not)?

Does the framework matter (2.0+)?

Why would I want to u

Answer 1

Just a few examples:

1. Dynamic image generation: You can write handlers that return data driven images by creating an ASHX handler that returns image data and then using that URL in your tags. e.g.

2. Returning REST-based XML or JSON data to AJAX code on the client.

3. Custom HTML: Return totally custom HTML for a page when the ASP.NET Web Forms or MVC framework is too restrictive

I believe this has been available since 1.0