What are ASPs?

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ASP is a Microsoft technology that uses server-side scripts to create dynamic web pages. Unlike static pages, ASP scripts personalize pages for visitors and can access corporate databases. ASP scripts can be easily added to existing HTML pages and can support any scripting language.

Active server pages (ASP) are the result of a Microsoft technology that executes server-side scripts to create dynamic web pages for visitors. Active server pages are so called because the server runs active scripts to produce pages that are unique in content, depending on a visitor’s request or input. In contrast, standard web pages are static, meaning they don’t change until the webmaster updates them. A visitor’s web browser sends a request to a website for a page, and the domain’s server receives the request and returns the page. Visitor “A” sees the exact same page as visitor “B” and so on.

Active server pages use a different schema. Visitors “A” and “B” may see different content, even if they requested the same web page. This is made possible by an additional step in the server’s processing of the page request. Instead of simply submitting the page, the server first executes any ASP scripts embedded in the page’s HTML coding. ASP scripts are used to personalize the page for the visitor.

For example, suppose “Mr. wiseGEEK ”has already visited a site and given the name of him, perhaps by registering. Using active server pages, the website may welcome him by displaying the following message: “Good morning Mr. wiseGEEK! It’s 10:32 on a big Tuesday!” It could also take him to a specific page within the site. On the other hand, a new site visitor might be greeted with the timetable and an invitation to register. It could be on an entry page with content specifically geared towards selling the site’s services. In other words, active server pages can customize web pages on the fly.

Active server pages can also provide intranet functionality and access to corporate databases or other resources. Flexibility and scope are limited only by creativity, as ASP can support virtually any scripting language, including built-in support for VBScript and JScript.

ASP scripts can be easily added to existing HTML pages. While programmers already familiar with scripting languages ​​can quickly learn how to embed active server pages into a website, newcomers will also find it quite easy. Assuming some familiarity with HTML, ASP scripts aren’t that difficult of a leap. Many complete scripts are freely available online and can be easily customized with a text editor.

If you are interested in learning more about active server pages, you can find many websites that provide mentorship, as well as several books. Active server pages can provide your personal site or business domain with real functionality that can make the difference between a good site and a great resource.




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