Introduction to ASP.Net

The new generation to the internet, is probably unaware of the html only age of the internet, when web sites were created only to inform the visitors about a particular news, or product, or for an unidirectional data transfer. The scripting languages brought about the interactive web pages, where sites turned out to be more of interaction for the user, rather than just informative. This enabled a competely new concept of e-commerce, wherein products were marketed and sold completely over the internet, with the money paid over the internet as well.

Currently the buzz word is Web 2.0, and another version web 3.0 in the pipeline. So what is the hype about this new technology, and why is important for me to know this stuff?
There was a time when a person can spend his entire life in just one part of the world, completely unaware of the events across the globe. Unfortunately that period in human civilization is completely gone. In the current age, actions of each and every individual affects the lives of many people around the globe.

So how is all this possible, and what does it mean in the context of ASP.Net technology?
Well, you can never learn something without knowing the reasons for its development, and its purpose in the world. Just because the web sites are in demand, and you think that ASP.Net 3.5 is just another buzz word in your CV, does not really motivate you to learn a new technology.
The concept of web 2.0 started with the development of social networking sites like Facebook, Orkut, and many more regional sites, and the files and picture sharing sites like Flikr, Jaxter, and many other. Forums where a common person without any background in technology, started to learn about new things and developments in and around the internet. The internet was no longer a commercial place. Eventually companies thought of this as a platform to market their products, and the e-marketing started. There was a time, when people used to have telephone directories, and yellow pages next to their telephones in their home. But now, it has been replaced, by online directories, and search engines, wherein just with a mouse click, you can find thousands if not millions of businesses around the world. Tradesmen, who could never afford getting their businesses listed on the yellow pages, could now just add their business in the free directories around the internet, and can actually see the enquiries flowing through.

Development of web sites also have grown exponentially, with virtually every business wanting to get an online presence. This is the main reason for getting on board to learn the technologies that will eventually rule the online world. Every individual ranging from students, to professionals, Business owners to recuiters, home makers to home owners, must have atleast a basic knowledge of how the stuff works. I do not intend to imply that every individual must be able to create their own sites, but atleast, they should be able to justify what they are paying for, if they intend to get one made professionally.

So what is ASP.Net?

With the advancement in the hardware technologies, the framework for the internet is also evolving. The current generation of the Microsoft programmers knows the transition from ASP3.0 to ASP.net 1.0, then 1.1, 2.0 and the latest version of ASP.net 3.5. The introduction of ASP.Net 1.0/1.1 changed the web programming model, and the further revolution continues with the new frame works being rolled out by Microsoft. The primary goal of ASP.Net is to enable you to build powerful, secure and dynamic applications using the least possible amount of code.

What should I know before I get into ASP.net?