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.

What do I Need for ASP - Part 2 >>