title: ASP.NET Handler (ashx) vs MVC Controller Action for downloading files
body: <p>We have an application that uses webforms for some older web app pages, but also contains MVC functionality for some of the newer features.  We have some new requirements for downloading files that will have to be processed on the server (not direct links to static files on the web server).  </p>
  
  <p>I haven't seen anything to indicate if there is a reason one should use an ASHX handler over just using an MVC controller and operating on the response object and returning EmptyResult() at the end of the action method.</p>
  
  <p>Is there a best-practice for this with MVC?  Should ASHX handlers be left for WebForms or is there some benefit they provide over using MVC for this type of file download feature?</p>