The Active Server Page (ASP) framework allows for the rapid development of browser-independent, dynamic, data-driven web sites using many mainstream programming languages; consequently, more than 45 percent of all pages on the Web are ASP! Many web features including discussion boards, chat rooms, shopping carts, store catalogs, online banks and individually tailored pages to specific users are accomplished quickly and easily with ASP. Surpassing CGI, ISAPI and IDC as the preferred choice for building e-Business Web applications, ASP combines all their technological advantages without their limitations. This online, self-paced course lasting approximately four weeks is equivalent to 18 classroom hours.

 

PREREQUISITES:

Background Courses—Any intermediate WWW and HTML authoring course AND any introductory programming course OR equivalent experience AND an understanding of control statements such as If-Then, Select, Case, For-Next, and While-Wend.

Internet Access—Search the web for a free provider like www.netzero.net or www.bluelight.com.

E-mail Address—Search the web for a free provider like www.yahoo.com or www.hotmail.com.

Operating System—Windows 95/98/2000 or NT 4.

Course Browser—Internet Explorer 5+. Download for free from www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm. Although ASP is entirely browser-independent, the online courseware including this page may utilize the eXtensible Mark-up Language (XML) and requires IE5+. Students are encouraged to use the latest version of Netscape’s Navigator/Communicator in addition to IE5+ when testing and de-bugging their web pages.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This online course begins with the VBScript Language Reference which is similar to the Microsoft Developers' Network library. Students learn how to develop within the Personal Web Server or related environment. Topics include variables, arrays, data types, forms, control statements, sub procedures, functions and objects. The following textbook is required for all three ASP courses: Beginning Active Server Pages 3.0, Wrox Press, ISBN: 1861003382.

COURSE GRADE: Students have approximately four weeks to complete four lessons at their own pace. Grades are based upon an easy, online quiz. Projects are not graded. All quiz questions are shown at the end of each lesson and students are expected to help each other in all aspects of the course.

 

COURSE SYLLABUS:

1.      Set-up Development Environment

  Install VBScript Language Reference

  Install Personal Web Server

  Start Personal Web Manager

  Create Virtual Directory

2.      ASP Basics

       ASP Advantages

       How ASP Works

       ASP Servers

       ASP Editors

3.      Scripting Technologies

  VBScript, JScript and JavaScript

        Client-side vs. Sever-side Scripting

4.      VBScript Crash Course (Review Only)

        Data Types, Variables, Constants, Operators and Arrays

        Control Statements, Functions and Sub Procedures

  Commenting Code

5.      HTML Forms with ASP

        Input, Select and TextArea

        Collecting User Data (Intro to Request Object)

        Displaying User Data (Intro to Response Object)

6.      ASP Objects

        Objects Briefly Introduced

7.      Putting It All Together

 

TO BEGIN THIS COURSE:           

Get a head start now by installing the VBScript Language Reference and the Personal Web Server. See all modules below.

 

Notes Section	Main Text
Module 1.0     Read VBScript FAQ.   Read VBScript Tutorial.   Read VBScript Basics. Reference also available entirely online.	Review the VBScript Language Guide and Reference (VBSLR from hereon). Go to msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/vbscript/default.htm with Internet Explorer (IE) 5+. Bookmark the site, visit all its VBScript links. Review the VBScript User's Guide and the VBScript Language Reference. You should already be familiar with terminology such as data types, operators, conditional statements and procedures from prior programming experience or classes; otherwise, you may have trouble with this class.
Module 1.1     Sources for PWS:   -Windows 98   -Office or FrontPage 2000   -Visual Studio 6 CD   -MSDN Option Pack CD   -Download (overnight)	Download the Personal Web Server 4.0 (PWS from hereon).   If downloading PWS overnight (may take up to four hours), go to www.asp101.com/resources/haneng/042199.asp or http://serverwatch.internet.com/webserver-mspws.html or search www.google.com for "Personal Web Server" and follow the directions. (Note: Microsoft often changes the location of PWS. If you cannot find it with a search, please use the alternative sources on the left-side column or the links below.)   PWS may be used to view your ASP scripts (other options below). It is your responsibility to successfully install PWS before the first class day. If on Windows 2000, please see links below.   This is an alternate, unofficial source for PWS,  www.studiodeluxe.net/pws/index.htm. As a complement to the Personal Web Server (PWS)--or an alternative--you may want to publish your projects on this unendorsed free ASP web hosting site, http://www.brinkster.com/. Search the Web for others. Windows 2000 Users (Win2K from hereon). PWS is a bare bones and free version of a web server like the full feature Internet Information Server (IIS). Win2K provides better solutions to PWS. These links may help: The Personal Web Manager (PWM) and Internet Information Services (IIS) Snap-in Options www.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/professional/iis/default.asp?url=/WINDOWS2000/ en/professional/iis/htm/core/iiabuti.htm  Using the IIS Snap-In www.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/professional/iis/default.asp?url=/WINDOWS2000/ en/professional/iis/htm/core/iisnapin.htm  Win2K users have several options: 1. Try to install PWS from its alternative sources on CD rather than using the downloadable service pack from the web site. 2. Learn to use the IIS Snap-in or PWM in Win2K. (Recommended) 3. Skip using PWS, the IIS Snap-in or PWM and simply upload your ASP pages to the free unendorsed web site mentioned above which is designed for ASP developers. (Recommended as a complement or alternative to PWS--the IIS Snap-in or PWM.)
Module 1.2	Install PWS. (and others) Please follow the directions on the download web site, the PWS installation wizard or in the course textbook. Do the same for PWM or the IIS Snap-in.