Microsoft's ASP scripting technology is being superseded by a more
suitable version for large corporate Web sites, writes Nick
Langley
What is it?
Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP) is a server-side scripting
technology used to create dynamic, interactive Web applications
linking to Access and SQL Server databases. It is used to create
HTML pages containing scripts which are executed by the server,
before being sent back in HTML form to the user's browser. The
scripts can, for example, process forms and collect the user input
in a database as well as responding. They can be written in
VBScript or JScript, and Com components and XML can be used to
extend them.
ASP is now being superseded by ASP+, not an upgrade but a full
revision of the technology. Among its advantages is performance:
ASP+ is compiled, whereas ASP is interpreted.
Where did it originate?
Microsoft introduced ASP with Internet Information Server (IIS)
version 3. It supersedes the Internet Database Connector
technology, which Microsoft no longer officially supports.
What is it for?
When a browser requests an .asp file from the Web server, the
server calls ASP, processes the requested file and executes any
script commands, formats a standard Web page and sends it to the
browser.
What makes it special?
ASP+ makes it easier to write clean, elegant code - even ASP
enthusiasts concede that the older technology is full of spaghetti
code. The introduction of Web Forms makes development more
intuitive. Extended use of objects, and of the features of
Microsoft .net, make the code easier to debug, re-use, distribute
and share. It also supports development and deployment of
multi-tier applications, a headache with ASP.
ASP+ applications are said to be much more scalable, and
therefore suitable for larger corporate sites.
How hard is it to master?
For ASP, you'll need a working knowledge of HTML, VBScript or
JScript, and ODBC or ADO.
ASP+ has support for fully compiled languages like Visual Basic,
C++ and C# (C Sharp - a streamlined and simplified version of C++).
With ASP+, VBScript and JScript are also compiled before
execution.
Where is it used?
On e-commerce Web sites, where you can use features like the Ad
Rotator component, which displays a fresh advertisement each time
the user refreshes or loads the Web page, and the Page Counter
component.
Don't confuse
The Association of Shareware Professionals
(www.asp-shareware.org), set up to promote user-supported code as
an alternative to conventional commercial software, of which
Microsoft doesn't appear to be a member. Sap.
What does it run on?
Windows 95 and 98, NT4, Windows 2000.
Few people know
One ASP developer's site is called www.ASPhole.com - something
Microsoft would certainly like to see wiped.
What's coming up?
Better browser support, including Wap phones.
As was ASP, ASP+ will be offered free with IIS 5.0 in
Windows2000, IIS 4.0 in NT 4.0, and in personal versions for
Windows95/98.
Rates of pay
ASP is at the top end of Microsoft skills, in terms of both the
number of posts on offer and the salaries. With 12 months ASP
experience you could be looking at around £30,000. With good VB and
SQL Server, you could also find an employer to train you in
ASP.
Training
Microsoft's certified technical education centres (CTECs) offer
ASP as part of their courses on Web site development using
Microsoft technologies. There are also dozens of training, advice
and resource sites, including: