Introduction to ASP.NET

Active Server Pages (ASP) is a technology developed primarily by Microsoft to create dynamic web sites that allow a visitor to submit values to a web page that would then transmit them to a web server. This technology requires some use and knowledge of a scripting language such as VBScript or JavaScript. It is also easily understandable to Visual Basic programmers because both use the same approach to solve problems. To enhance it, Microsoft developed ASP.NET. This new approach allows you to use the .NET Framework and its rich features to create web-based applications.

The .NET Framework is a library used to create both computer-based and web-based applications. It is made of different parts. The section that deals with computer applications is referred to as Windows Forms. The part dedicated to the web is called ASP.NET. Although these various sub-libraries make up the .NET Framework, you can create fully functional applications using only ASP.NET. One of the differences between ASP.NET and ASP is that ASP applications were mostly interpreted (except for some libraries (DLLs) that were working in the background at the server level during processing) by the browser while ASP.NET applications are compiled.

To create ASP.NET applications, you must prepare your computer, the one you will be using to develop your applications. Everything you need is free. To start, your computer should run one of the following operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (no Home Edition)
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (any version)

Also, you should (according to Microsoft, "must"; but you will see in our lessons that we will be using different browsers to test our pages) install the latest Internet Explorer browser. The minimum you should have is Internet Explorer 5.5 but, unless you have any particular reason, you should install the 6.0 version.

To support databases (even if you don't intend to create web-based databases), you must install MDAC 2.7 or later, which is a free download from the Microsoft web site. Normally, you may have MDAC installed already but just in case you need it...

Along with one of the above operating systems, you must install Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 or later. Normally, during the installation of the operating system, you would have been prompted to install it. Otherwise, you can install it from Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components -> Internet Information Services (IIS) and follow the steps:

Once the operating system and these components are ready, you must install the .NET Framework. It is likely to be installed already. If you want to check, you can open the Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel and you should see an entry for Microsoft .NET Framework:

You can also see its entry in the Start menu. If you don't have it already, you can download it (free) from the Microsoft web site at http://www.asp.net.

To follow the lessons on this site, you must be a little familiar with HTML. It is not realistic to teach HTML and web application development at the same time.