What is it?

ASP.NET is a Web application framework created and marketed by Microsoft that programmers can use to build dynamic Web sites, Web applications and Web services. It is a unified Web platform built on the .NET Framework, so all .NET Framework features are available to ASP.NET applications. ASP.NET is the successor to Microsoft’s Active Server Pages technology.

Who is it for?

ASP.NET can be used to create anything from small, personal Web sites to large, enterprise-class Web applications. It is easy to use, making it ideal for everyone from the beginner to the experienced programmer to use. Many well-known Web companies are using ASP.NET to provide solutions to their customers, including myspace.com, monster.com, and match.com.

Features

ASP.NET provides free downloads of two key tools in the creation of Web sites and applications. The first is the Microsoft.NET framework, a component of the Windows operating system providing the foundation for ASP.NET Web applications. The second is Visual Web Developer Express Edition, a program that helps everyone from novice to professional create ASP.NET Web sites. ASP.NET also provides downloads of the ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit, an extension with both client-side and server-side components for writing ASP.NET pages that incorporate AJAX functionality. It provides an array of controls for building interactive Web experiences. Included with AJAX is the Microsoft AJAX Library 3.5, a standalone collection of standards-based JavaScript classes. Users also have access to downloads of AJAX Extensions for integration of client script libraries with the server-based development framework, and AJAX Templates to use with Visual Web Developer when creating a new Web site.

ASP.NET provides a Web development model that allows users to build Web applications with a minimum of coding. ASP.NET includes a page and controls framework. The ASP.NET page and controls framework provides features to control the overall look and feel of the Web site via themes and skins. Themes and skins can be defined and then applied at a page level or at a control level. The ASP.NET compiler provided will compile all application components including pages and controls into an assembly that the ASP.NET hosting environment can then use to service user requests. In addition to these features, ASP.NET provides an advanced security infrastructure, intrinsic state management functionality, application configuration, health monitoring and performance features, debugging support, an XML Web services framework, extensible hosting environment and application life, cycle management, and an extensible designer environment.

Compatibility

ASP.NET is built on the Common Language Runtime, allowing programmers to write ASP.NET code using any Microsoft .NET language. Compatible languages include Microsoft Visual Basic, C#, JScript .NET, and J#. These languages enable the programmer to develop ASP.NET applications that benefit from the common language runtime, type safety, and inheritance. ASP.NET Web pages can be requested from any browser or client device, and ASP.NET renders markup to the requesting browser. As a rule, the same page can be used for multiple browsers, because ASP.NET renders the appropriate markup for the browser making the request. However, the ASP.NET Web page can be designed to target a specific browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, and take advantage of the features of that browser. ASP.NET supports mobile controls for Web-enabled devices such as cellular phones, handheld computers, and personal digital assistants.

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