Moving from ASP to ASP.NET Currently, Asp can only be scripted using the basic non-typed languages such as VBScript and JScript (unless you install a separate language interpreter). While ASP does parse and cache the code for the page the first time it is executed, the limitations prevent more strongly-typed languages like Visual Basic and C++ from being used where this would be an advantage. ASP.Net provides a true language-neutral execution framework for web applications to use.

It is also very easy to create huge ASP pages containing spaghetti like mixture of code, HTML, test, object declaration etc. And its hard to re-use code unless you place it in separate include files not the best solution. In many environments, developing a web application utilizes the skills of a wide range of professionals, for example you have programmers writing the code, and designers making the HTML look good. Having both the code and the content intermixed in a single file that both of these groups need to operate on makes it difficult for them to work together. ASP.Net allows true separation of code and content.

In the previous version of ASP, you have to write code to do almost anything. Want to maintain state in the form fields? Write code. Want to validate data entered on the client? Write code. Want to emit some simple data values? Write code. ASP.Net introduces a real component model, with server-based controls and an event driven execution model paradigm similar in concept to the way that a Visual Basic form works now. The new ASP.Net server controls are declarative (i.e. you only have to declare them in order to get them to do something), and so you actually write less code in fact, in many situations you dont have to write any code at all!

What Benefits Do I Get Using Asp.net Over Traditional ASP?

Compiled: - The Framework detects that the page is being run for the first time and Compiles it storing the copy of it. In Traditional approach of ASP, Pages were interpreted on Each Request to the Page.

State Management: - As Internet is Stateless to manage state between pages a programmer had to write code to maintain the values in the page thus making it difficult. ASP.Net Offers built in features for State Management.

Strongly Typed :- In traditional Asp Programmers were provided with only Variant datatype consuming more memory and not providing ways for early binding which is now possible in ASP.net

Any .net Language : - ASP.Net provides to use the features of powerful languages to be used in your ASP.Net Pages. A language, which follows the CLS (Common Language Specification), can be used in Asp.net Pages. Languages as remote as COBOL can be used to script a ASP.NET page.

Web Forms : - Web Forms provide a rich UI of the Pages in ASP.Net. Web Service: - A Programmable application Component accessible via Standard web Protocols .

Control Based Event Driven Model Provided by ASP.net makes it easy to create Powerful Application similar to a VB application.

Separate Code and Presentation: - asp.net provides with a powerful technique called as Code Behind Pages where u can separate code from presentation.

No Registry : - Deployment by Simply copying the files, without bothering about the registry issues.

Caching Features: - Pages and even Parts of pages frequently requested can now be cached for better performances.

Validation Controls & Server Controls: For common validation a programmer had to write code, this could be difficult if there are different Client types for your page. So a set of server controls along with validation controls render the HTML, which is specific to the Client. The programmer can even build several powerful controls on their custom needs.

No DLL Locking :-In the previous versions of ASP when the Script uses the functions from the DLL locks it in the memory. With Asp.Net the framework detects the new version and replaces the old one without flushing the server.

Debugging Features : In Asp debugging an application was very difficult. Asp.Net provides several debugging and tracing features.