title: best way to access a windows service via GUI
body: <p>I'm curious about the best way for a C# gui to access the functions of a Windows Service, be it WCF or ServiceController or some other option. </p>
  
  <p>I'll explain what I'm doing: on a regulated time interval the service will be zipping one hours worth of datafiles from location A and sending the zipped file to location B, this will be done in the background 24/7 or until the service is stopped by the user and runs even when no one is logged in (hence the need for service) I would like the user to be able to pull up a GUI program that will allow them several options:</p>
  
  <p>1) change the location to zip from<br>
  2) change the location to zip to<br>
  3) manually start the zipping process for a DateTime range specified </p>
  
  <p>Now most of the functions for zipping and timers is all stored within the service. SO im wondering if a ServiceController in the GUI program would allow me to send variables to/from the service (ie folderpath names as strings, various other data) or if I'll need to spend the time making a WCF and treat the GUI as the Client and the Windows service as a source. </p>
  
  <p>It should be noted the GUI will likely recieve data from the service, but only to signify if it is currently busy zipping.</p>