What do I Need for ASP?
To write dynamic pages with ASP is one thing, getting them published on
the www is another. This page is a crash course and guide to what it is
you need to do if you want to write ASP pages.
To Write Dynamic Pages
You are going to need access to a computer onto which you can install
software. ASP is a Microsoft product, so you are going to have to
use a machine with either Windows95/98 or an NT machine (Not so any more,
more information on next page). If you have a
choice, go for the NT machine every time (NT is normally more stable that
Win9x, plus the chances are your web host will be using NT and it is
always safest to develop your pages on as similar a machine to the
eventual host as you can) but either type will do in the end.
| Machine Type |
Web Server |
| NT - Server (v4) |
NT Service Pack 3, and Internet Information Server 3, but preferably the NT Option Pack (provides the new ASP 2) |
| NT - Workstation (v4) |
As with NT Server, but the Workstation version is called Peer Web Server (with Active Server Pages - a separate install option) |
| Windows 95/98 |
Personal Web Server (with Active Server Pages - a separate install option) |
| Windows 2000 |
Internet Information Server |
The table above guides you to what you need to get ASP working,
depending on the system you have. Microsoft have more information
(including downloads) on their web site for
Internet
Information Server and the
Personal
Web Server. (information about the Peer Web Server can be found in
the Start Here manual that you get with the workstation). Microsoft also
have a page of
frequently asked questions about ASP, which you might find useful.
....interlude
so you've managed to get your machine set up so that you can write your
own ASP pages. This is great. You are now ready to do some development
work (perhaps by following the examples I will present you with) and
getting your pages published.
If only things were that simple.
It is one thing to write your own ASP pages; it is quite another to be
able to find a place where they can be published on the world wide web.