ASP – A Powerful Choice

ASP is a very powerful tool meant for making dynamic & interactive web pages. ASP means Active Server Pages. These are actually scripts which are executed or run on the web server.  

ASP appears to be a Microsoft technology; hence, it is generally run on the Microsoft Web servers - PWS or industry standard, IIS. But, there are several products available like the Sun Java System ASP that enables you to run ASP code on various other platforms as well.

When should you use ASP?

ASP seems to be the best option whenever you require your pages to be dynamically created when browser requests the page. For instance, displaying data which is relevant on a particular date or storing the user data which is collected from a form. Most often, ASP scripts will search a database & format the data retrieved in order to display it in a HTML page.

Well, ASP is a good alternative to CGI programming. Besides, it owes much of its fame to the very fact that it is quite easy to learn & that once learned it is quick to develop web pages using ASP.

Languages used to program in ASP

Rather than a programming language in itself, ASP seems to be a scripting environment. Generally, ASP pages are written with the help of Microsoft's VBScript and less often using JScript which is Microsoft's version of JavaScript. However, they can be written in Perl as well using a Perl scripting engine. They can be written using a combination of varied scripting languages too.

ASP.NET and its benefits

ASP.NET server technology is considered as a crucial contribution to the general network development. A lot of popular websites make use of this development framework as the foundation for their website design.

Let us have a look at the numerous benefits offered by this modern tool in all site and web-based app development projects: 

• ASP.net provides the great feature of minimizing the overall line of code required for all kinds of large application development projects.

• ASP.net supports Windows authentication; in other words, individuals have the choice of keeping the applications in a secured way.

• It is a perfect server-side scripting technology because it enables the code to be run on Windows server prior to being displayed on a web browser.

• ASP and HTML codes blend greatly with each other; they combine to create pages which are truly dynamic in nature.

• Well, this framework is basically language-independent; this is a key advantage when it comes to creating web applications.

• ASP.net comprises built-in configuration data; this allows its easy deployment.

• Windows web servers provide accurate monitoring of web pages. Moreover, it checks over the different applications and components which run over it.

• Immediate alerts and notifications are issued to users if there are any memory leaks and unbounded loops. In addition, illegal behavior gets instantly killed while the server restarts automatically.

• The app processes can be monitored with minute observation and specific precision which facilitates consistent availability for request handling.

• This development framework boasts of native optimization, early binding and caching services for high-quality performance and superb execution.

• ASP.NET comprises WYSIWYG tool which is available by default along with Visual Studio IDE.

Fine, simply put, the latest version of ASP framework is a programming tool which is used widely in generation of technologies, enterprise-class sites and web applications. Applications that are developed using this specific framework are available on a global basis and are geared towards bringing about an efficient and effective knowledge management. Whether it is about creating a small business site or a corporate application that is spread out across many networks, this wonderful development tool offers all the necessary features any ASP.NET programmer would possibly ask for. And the best part is that all of these are available free of cost!

Well, if learning ASP.NET from a reputable tutorial really helps, shape your career!