With .NET, Microsoft is formalizing a vision of an Internet made up of an infinite number of interoperable Web applications or services, which will operate in concert to form a global exchange network. The .NET Framework is really a strategy to tie disparate platforms and devices together, moving data around in a far more efficient manner than it is currently.
.NET is Microsoft’s platform for Web Services. Web Services allow applications to commu- nicate and share data over the Internet, regardless of operating system or programming lan- guage. The Microsoft .NET platform includes a comprehensive family of products, built on Internet standards such as XML and HTTP, that provide facilities for developing, managing, using, and experiencing XML Web services. There are five areas where Microsoft is building the .NET platform: .NET Experiences, Clients, Services, Servers, and Tools.
.NET Experiences
.NET Experiences are XML Web services that enable you to access information across the Internet and from standalone applications. Microsoft will deliver .NET Experiences for indi- viduals and for businesses. Some of the products that Microsoft is transitioning into .NET Experiences are the Microsoft Network (MSN) and bCentral.
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.NET Clients
.NET Clients are PCs, laptops, workstations, phones, handheld computers, Tablet PCs, game consoles, and other smart devices. All of these devices will have the ability to consume Web Services. .NET Clients use software that supports Web Services, and enable you to access your data regardless of location or type. The .NET client software Microsoft will offer includes Windows CE, Window 2000, and Windows XP. These applications will power PCs, laptops, workstations, smart phones, handheld computers, and Tablet PCs.
.NET Services
In addition to developers creating XML Web services, Microsoft is creating a core set of ser- vices that perform routine tasks and act as the backbone for developers to build upon. The first set of Web Services being built, codenamed “HailStorm,” is user-centric services focused on users, rather than devices, networks, or applications. “HailStorm” is based upon the Microsoft Passport user authentication system. With “HailStorm,” users receive relevant information, as they need it, delivered to the devices they’re using, and based on their established preferences.
.NET Servers
The .NET Servers, including the Windows 2000 server family, make up Microsoft .NET’s server infrastructure for developing, deploying, and managing Web Services. Designed with performance in mind, the .NET Servers will provide enterprises with the resources required to integrate their systems, applications, and partners via Web Services. The .NET Enterprise Servers are
SQL Server 2000 to store, retrieve, and analyze relational data.
Application Center 2000 to deploy and manage highly available and scalable Web applications.
BizTalk Server 2000 to build XML-based business processes across applications and organizations.
Commerce Server 2000 for quickly building scalable e-commerce solutions.
Content Management Server 2001 to manage content for dynamic e-business Web sites.
Exchange Server 2000 to enable messaging and collaboration.
Host Integration Server 2000 for integrating data and applications on legacy systems.
Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 for establishing secure, fast Internet connectivity.
Mobile Information 2001 Server to enable application support for mobile devices.
.NET Tools
Visual Studio .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework supply a complete solution for devel- opers to build, deploy, and manage Web Services. The .NET Tools maximize the performance, reliability, and security of Web Services.
Visual Studio .NET is the next generation of Microsoft’s multi-language development environment. Visual Studio .NET will help developers quickly build Web Services and applica- tions (including ASP.NET applications) using their language of choice. Visual Studio .NET advances the high-productivity programming languages Visual Basic, which includes new object-oriented programming features; Visual C++, which advances Windows development and enables you to build .NET applications; and C# (pronounced C sharp).
The .NET Framework is a high-productivity, standards-based, multi-language application execution environment that handles the essential “house keeping” chores and eases deployment and management. It provides an application execution environment that manages memory, addresses, versioning issues, and improves the reliability, scalability, and security of applications. The .NET Framework consists of several parts, including the Common Language Runtime and ASP.NET.
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EVIEWASP is relatively new Web development technology. Although it is very powerful and simple to use, it does has some flaws. With ASP.NET, Microsoft has introduced a new Web develop- ment platform that addresses many, if not all, of ASP’s shortcomings. ASP.NET offers many programmatic improvements including a new data access technology called ADO.NET. ADO.NET is designed to work on the Web, which is inherently disconnected. ASP.NET and ADO.NET are part of larger framework, generically referred to as the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework is a set of products and services designed to facilitate the development of interoperable Web applications based on open standards such as SOAP, XML, and HTTP.
Q
UIZY
OURSELF1. What is the function of TCP/IP? (See “Internet Standards.”)
2. What are two problems when developing ASP applications? (See “The Evolution of ASP.”)
3. What are two improvements provided by ASP.NET over ASP? (See “The Benefits of ASP.NET.”)
Session Checklist
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Requirements for ASP.NET and ADO.NET
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Installing ASP.NET and ADO.NET
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