[Catalyst]

So if you've got an interest in asp.net and a bit of time I encourage you to check it out. If you're coming from a scripting language like classic ASP or PHP you'll find it a bit different at first, Java people should feel more familiar.

Before you get going, if you want to see what developing in asp.net looks like you can watch this video of a ajax enabled, sql server backed to-do list being built in asp.net (the whole app is built in 20 minutes include designing the database). http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/f...AX-ToDoList.wmv

You can write asp.net using Notepad, but I highly recommend using Visual Studio. It's honestly the best code editor I've ever used and I use it for PHP, regular XHTML, CSS, etc.

So first off, you'll want to get a copy of the free Visual Studio 2005 Express. This will take care of all your coding, includes SQL Server 2005, and the MSDN help and documentation library. VS 2005 also runs an on-demand webserver for testing your work so you don't need to install or setup a local server. Yep, they're all FREE, they're not trials, and most people won't come up against the limits of the Express edition for a long time.

Download the .net framework 2.0 from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

Then head over to: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/...ds/default.aspx
Download SQL Server 2005 Express, then the Visual Web Developer 2005 Express

Install in this order: framework, sql server, vwd

--------------------------------------

Ok, you've got all your tools - now on to trying it out. Your first decision is going to be what language you want to program asp.net in. You've got a lot of choices including C++, C#, VB.net, IronPython, IronRuby, J# and others. My recommendation is to go with C# or VB.net since almost all the examples, articles, and books are in those two. Personally I like C# better than VB.net, and unless (and even if) you've got a background in Visual Basic it's the one I'd recommend.

There's tons of books, blogs, and articles on learning and using asp.net. I'd recommend going over to www.asp.net and checking out some of the beginner's videos: http://asp.net/learn...id=63#beginners
or the "Migrating to asp.net" videos: http://asp.net/learn...id=63#migrating

You can pull those up, open VWD and work along with them to build all sorts of stuff.

Finally, if you have any questions just post them and I'll be happy to help.

[Catalyst]

On a related note, if you're interested in asp.net but not a windows fan go check out the Mono Project: http://www.mono-project.com

Quote

Mono provides the necessary software to develop and run .NET client and server applications on Linux, Solaris, Mac OS X, Windows, and Unix. Sponsored by Novell (http://www.novell.com), the Mono open source project has an active and enthusiastic contributing community and is positioned to become the leading choice for development of Linux applications.

[Telos]

I love ASP.NET! I come from PHP and I still use PHP for my own projects due to the cost of ASP.NET hosts. Learning ASP.NET is pretty easy if you have some programming experience. You can learn the syntax pretty quick and the rest comes naturally. Just practice with small projects and you learn on the fly. Reading some best practices articles don't hurt either but you can leave them for a bit later on since some stuff can be pretty advanced on them.

[Catalyst]

I imagine PHP hosting is pretty cheap. ASP.NET including SQL server usually starts around $4 per month, so it's not bad - nothing like Java hosting, glad I'm not into that. I use a host that has both PHP and ASP.NET, and MySQL and MS SQL so it's real flexibile. In fact I've got some sites that use both PHP and ASP.NET working together.

You'll find that a ton of the common things you build already have a quick easy way in asp.net. Skins, User access control, User profiles, Automatic navigation breadcrumbs, Database bound editable grids, Database forms with validation - those are just a few of the things you can add to a site with almost zero code.

[shakir]

good posting m a .net developer currently working in a project .I sugest visual webdeveloper 2005 its very good everything is in there editor .netframework etc

This post has been edited by benbramz: 19 November 2007 - 05:13 AM
Reason for edit: Spelling

[Catalyst]

Visual Studio 2008 is released for manufacturing today (nov 19th), lots of great new stuff.

[mouse_catcher]

Hi Guys

Just to follow up on the Visual Studio 2008 release there is a lot of web development goodness in this version namely:

- Javascript intellisense and debugging (finally)
- really nice CSS support (no longer do I need firebug extension for firefox)
- nested master pages (asp.net template system) are supported in the designer
- split screen code and wysiwyg views with immediate feedback when changing css and html etc

[viju]

HI,

Can you tell me new features in Visual Studio 2008

[Catalyst]

Check out this thread for info on what's new with 2008: http://www.webradiance.com/web-development...able-t1691.html

[Bronzytalk]

Hi,
Please tell me some thing about web services, & Crystal report. I can try both but bit confused in accessing web services and crystal report. Can you tell me one thing enabled Crystal report in .Net is just same as normal CR which is normally used in the time of VB.

[wa7eed]

You can install VS 2008, and start learning! I beleive all versions
of VS 2008 except team edition are available for download from MSDN.

i am a skilled asp.net 1.1 programmer using C#. i want to go on with asp.net
2.0 but i dont know how to start? installing VS 2008 and MSDN will be enough?

[Catalyst]

You might want to check out the MS Web Installer: http://www.microsoft...s/platform.aspx

It'll download and install everything you need in one shot.

ASP.NET 1.1 is quite a bit different than 2.0 (2.0 being much easier actually). From 2.0 to the current 3.5 the differences are just added support for new technologies like AJAX, LINQ, C# 3.0 features, MVC, etc. What I'm getting as is don't make 2.0 your goal but just switch to 3.5.

[Catalyst]

Bronzytalk, on Nov 24 2008, 02:31 AM, said:

Hi,
Please tell me some thing about web services, & Crystal report. I can try both but bit confused in accessing web services and crystal report. Can you tell me one thing enabled Crystal report in .Net is just same as normal CR which is normally used in the time of VB.

CR would be similar, especially if you were to use VB.NET. Web services are built in different ways, so consuming a web service has a bit to do with what kind of web service you're trying to use and what you're trying to access it with.

[ultra99]

I myself started learning ASP.NET and MS SQL and it's pretty good so far. I like it more than PHP, and the hosting is that expensive, starting $5/mo. I don't have any experience with C or programming languages, but picking up ASP.NET/C# fast and it's alright. Sometimes things get a little crazy, but meh, it's ok. I've been using Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server Management Studio, which is pretty cool for playing with databases. That's it, that's what on mind my mind now. Later.

[EncoderDecoder]

is this really a good step if you want to move forward with your skills..? i mean, I am actually adept in php and would like to enhance my web designing skills.. I'll try learning this one, too..

[webdesigner12345]

Web Development – A website is the first step to making your digital presence felt. Let Zeaple help you set up this presence.