ASP lets you cut down the coding
- Posted:
- 14:42 12 Sep 2003
- Topics:
- Active Server Pages (asp)
In the SSL/CW list of top IT skills,
ASP is number 16.
What is it?
Active Server Pages is a programming framework for building
interactive server-based web applications. What Microsoft now calls
Classic ASP was pretty much tied to its own platforms, languages
(Visual Basic and Java) and tools.
ASP.net is much more language- and toolkit-independent, although it
is probably still best supported by Visual Studio and integrated
with other .net technologies.
Where did it originate?
Microsoft introduced ASP with Internet Information Server version
3.
What is it for?
ASP allows applications and web pages to be built and deployed with
the minimum of coding effort. It competes with Java Server Pages
and scripting languages such as Perl, Python and PHP.
ASP uses what Microsoft calls "an HTML-like style of declarative
programming". With the new ASP.net Mobile Controls, it can
automatically generate Wap/WML, HTML or iMode as required to reach
devices such as personal digital assistants and mobile
phones.
What makes it special?
ASP.net is a considerable improvement on its predecessor. ASP.net
is compiled, whereas Classic ASP was interpreted. Microsoft has
claimed an increase in page throughput of three to five
times.
Compiling is automatic: ASP.net will automatically and dynamically
detect any changes, compile the files if needed and store the
compiled results for re-use in subsequent requests. Applications
can be updated without restarting the web server.
It supports 25 languages. Some require additional tool support but
others, such as VB.net, C# and JScript.net, are built-in. An
application can be partitioned across several languages and it can
be used with any text editor.
ASP.net and Classic ASP can run side-by-side on an IIS server. It
is also said to be backward-compatible with Com business
components, as well as supporting XML web services.
How difficult is it to master?
You can build simple applications with a working knowledge of HTML
and the programming knowledge of your choice - provided it is
supported on .net. Those familiar with Visual Studio should have no
problems.
Access to the .net framework means a lot of functionality can be
slotted in with a few lines of code. ASP.net can also be used to
build more complex applications, making use of the team support
features in Visual Studio.net, including Unified Modelling Language
support.
Where is it used?
ASP is no longer confined to Microsoft installations, being widely
supported by other suppliers.
What systems does it run on?
Windows 2000, XP and IIS. There are also third-party adaptations
for Unix, Linux and other web servers such as Apache and, most
importantly, Chili Soft (now owned by Sun).
ASP.net pages work in most browsers, including Netscape, Opera, AOL
and Internet Explorer.
What is coming up?
A new version of the open source-style community-supported
development tool, ASP.net Web Matrix, is available to download at
www.asp.net.
Not many people know that...
ASP also stands for the Association of Shareware
Professionals.
Training
ASP training is available from Microsoft and its certified training
partners. Free courseware is available on the internet, including
the ASP.net quick start tutorial from Microsoft. There are also
plenty of independent sites and user groups offering tips and
tutorials.
Rates of pay
Salaries start at about £25,000 for developers, rising to more
than £40,000 for senior developers and team leaders. VB.net
and XML experience is also typically needed, along with C#. With
strong SQL Server skills, your earning potential would be greater
still.
