How to start with ASP.NET ?

ASP.NET supports three different development models:

Web Pages, MVC (Model View Controller), and Web Forms:

Web Pages Single Pages Model		MVC Model View Controller		Web Forms Event Driven Model
Simplest ASP.NET model. Similar to PHP and classic ASP. Built-in templates and helpers for database, video, graphics, social media and more.		MVC separates web applications into 3 different components: Models for data Views for display Controllers for input		The traditional ASP.NET event driven development model: Web pages with added server controls, server events, and server code.

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Web Pages Tutorial

If you are new to ASP.NET, Web Pages is the perfect place to start.
Web Pages is the easiest development model for developing ASP.NET web sites.
In our Web Pages tutorial you will learn how to combine HTML, CSS, JavaScript and server code, using the latest Razor server markup syntax with Visual Basic or C#.
You will also learn how to extend your web pages with programmable Web Helpers, including database, video, graphics, social networking and much more.

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MVC Tutorial

MVC is a model for building web applications using a MVC (Model View Controller) design.
If you want a lighter alternative to traditional ASP.NET, MVC is the place to start.
In our MVC tutorial you will learn how to build web applications using a lightweight development model, integrated with all existing ASP.NET features, such as Master Pages, Security, and Authentication.

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Web Forms Tutorial

Web Forms is the traditional ASP.NET model, based on event driven Web Forms and post backs.
Over the years, developers have used ASP.NET Web Forms to create many of the largest websites in the world.
If you want to study the design model used by many web developers over the last 10 years, this is the place to start.

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Who Are These Tutorials For?

The tutorials above are for anyone who wants to learn to build websites on the Microsoft ASP.NET platform, from hobby-related sites, to new, modern, and fully commercial webs.
Even if you are new to web programming, you should be able to follow the tutorials, but it will help if you have a basic understanding of HTML and CSS.
It will also help if you have a basic understanding of scripting languages like JavaScript or VB (Visual Basic).
Do you have a preference for VB over C#? Do you want to learn both languages? The good news are: In the W3Schools tutorials most code examples are in both languages.
If you are a professional web developer with prior ASP.NET experience, you can still learn a lot, since these tutorials covers a lot of new ASP.NET concepts, like HTML5, CSS3, JQuery, and more.

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Classic ASP - Active Server Pages

Active Server Pages (ASP), also known as Classic ASP, was introduced in 1998 as Microsoft's first server side scripting engine.
ASP is a technology that enables scripts in web pages to be executed by an Internet server.
ASP pages have the file extension .asp, and are normally written in VBScript.

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ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a new ASP generation. It is not compatible with Classic ASP, but ASP.NET may include Classic ASP.
ASP.NET pages are compiled, which makes them faster than Classic ASP.
ASP.NET has better language support, a large set of user controls, XML-based components, and integrated user authentication.
ASP.NET pages have the extension .aspx, and are normally written in VB (Visual Basic) or C# (C sharp).
User controls in ASP.NET can be written in different languages, including C++ and Java.
When a browser requests an ASP.NET file, the ASP.NET engine reads the file, compiles and executes the scripts in the file, and returns the result to the browser as plain HTML.

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ASP.NET Razor

Razor is a new and simple markup syntax for embedding server code into ASP.NET web pages, much like Classic ASP.
Razor has the power of traditional ASP.NET, but is easier to use and easier to learn.

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ASP.NET Programming Languages

This tutorial covers the following programming languages:

• Visual Basic (VB.NET)
• C# (Pronounced C sharp)

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ASP.NET Server Technologies

This tutorial covers the following server technologies:

• Web Pages (with Razor syntax)
• MVC (Model View Controller)
• Web Forms (traditional ASP.NET)

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ASP.NET Development Tools

ASP.NET supports the following development tools:

• WebMatrix
• Visual Web Developer
• Visual Studio

This tutorial uses WebMatrix for Web Pages, and Visual Web Developer for MVC and Web Forms.

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ASP.NET File Extensions

• Classic ASP files have the file extension .asp
• ASP.NET files have the file extension .aspx
• ASP.NET files with Razor C# syntax have the file extension .cshtml
• ASP.NET files with Razor VB syntax have the file extension .vbhtml

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What are Web Pages?

Web Pages is one of the 3 programming models for creating ASP.NET web sites and web applications.
The other two programming models are Web Forms and MVC (Model, View, Controller).
Web Pages is the simplest programming model for developing ASP.NET web pages. It provides an easy way to combine HTML, CSS, JavaScript and server code:

• Easy to learn, understand, and use
• Built around single web pages
• Similar to PHP and Classic ASP
• Server scripting with Visual Basic or C#
• Full HTML, CSS, and JavaScript control

Web Pages is easy extendable with programmable Web Helpers, including database, video, graphics, social networking and much more.

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Where to Start?

Many developers like to start learning a new technology by looking at working examples.

If you want to take a look at a working Web Pages example, follow the ASP.NET Web Pages Demo.