What would businesses benefit by migrating to higher versions in ASP.Net?

.NET Migration is the mechanism of porting various applications that are developed in ASP/VB to .NET framework. More and more businesses are migrating to higher version of ASP.Net in recent years, more so after the introduction of newer, feature-rich .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0 as well as 3.5 versions. Now the question is whether it is worthwhile to migrate to these higher versions of ASP.Net or continuing with the earlier versions is much more fruitful from the technical as well as financial point of view.

Though the .NET framework is designed to provide a wide range of flexible environment for migration as well as porting from ASP and VB to their more advanced versions, it encompasses a considerable extent of technological issues when it comes to successful and effective implementation. In fact, migration to the higher version opens up an entire new world of possibilities for various web-based applications.

Let us discuss some of the benefits that the businesses are likely to enjoy once they migrate to the higher ASP.Net versions.

Even though the primary objective is to maintain the ASP.Net sites that already exist, a business should basically be concerned about the fact that no further service packs for Visual Studio 2003 and .NET Framework 1.1 are available on and after 14^th October, 2008, though extended support was available till 8^th October 2013. It is this that has prompted the businesses to migrate to the higher versions. More so, they have been encouraged by the fact that an increasing number of third party vendors have stopped offering supporting components that would have helped running of the lower version like .NET Framework 1.1 or Visual Studio 2003 IDE. In fact, these two apps have ceased to exist and have been pushed to oblivion.

Again, once should not ignore the tremendous technological enhancements that the .NET framework has undergone over the last few years and this is reason enough as well for the companies to migrate.

The latest cutting-edge technology that the Visual Studio 2010 IDE has come up with is a fantastic platform that provides businesses to use various languages as well as powerful third party plugins, each of which would provide a new degree of programming productivity to the businesses.

Migrating to the higher versions will provide businesses the following benefits.

• It will help businesses to fully integrate the .NET developers into the already-existing team of developers

• It will also enable the businesses to enjoy professional services from a pool of experienced .NET consultants.

• It will enable businesses to out-source as well as offshore services – an option that has always been a plus point of .NET application development.

After migrating the businesses can take the privilege of a wide range of technological superiority. Let us discuss them in short.

Superior Security and Performance

Businesses that have migrated have enjoyed much better security as well as performance

Easier and much superior Integration with external applications as well as tools

Advanced User Interface Elements

High Quality Coding

Migration to higher versions of results in much higher quality, pure C# coding, which can be designed to play the role of the best and the most wide accepted launching point for all the future business centric needs and requirements of the application.

In short, migration to higher version involves the following benefits:

• New Functionality - XML Web Services, Web based forms

• Fully incorporated Support for Debugging– Tracing

• Cleaner Coding Model that is based on the Code Behind concept

• Improved Performance as well as Scalability – compiled language support, improved caching

• Simpler Configuration along with Faster Development

• More Intelligent Web Controls

However, to ensure a successful and effective migration, certain processes need to be followed. Several process groups that the process of migration can be divided into the following phases:

1. Evaluation Process
2. Automatic Conversion
3. Manual Changes
4. Functional Equivalence
5. Customized Evolution

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How can You Leverage the Power of ASP.Net MVC Platform?

As a lightweight and highly testable web application development framework, ASP.Net MVC is used by developers across the world to create robust applications by implementing the model–view–controller (MVC) pattern. The open source framework further allows developers to avail existing ASP.NET features. It uses interface-based contracts to combine models, views, and controllers seamlessly.

Thus, it becomes easier for software QA professionals to test each component independently. The recently released ASP.NET MVC 5.1 also comes with a set of enhanced features to complement the current trends in web application development. Also, you can avail certain features to leverage the power of the latest version of ASP.Net MVC platform.

5 Techniques to Leverage the Power of ASP.Net MVC Platform

1) ASP.Net MVC Scaffolding

Like other MVC frameworks, ASP.Net MVC also allows you to use scaffolding technology to generate code for you database quickly. In addition to generating code for basic database operations like create, read, update and delete (CRUD), you can further use scaffolding to customize and modify the auto-generated code. Scaffolding allows you to create functional data-driven websites rapidly by using several Scaffold templates like page templates, filter templates, field page templates and entity page templates. You can use these templates to generate code basic CRUD operations within the ASP.NET MVC framework.

2) AJAX Helpers

ASP.Net MVC further allows developers to create AJAX enabled elements through AJAX Helpers. You can use the extension methods of AJAXHelper class to create AJAX enabled forms and links. The framework also supports unobtrusive AJAX. So you can use the helper method to define custom AJAX features through different configuration options. At the same time, the properties defined by AjaxOptions class can be used to specify callbacks for various stages of AJAX request life cycle.

3) HTML Helpers

HTML Helper can be defined as a method that returns HTML string. You can use the TML string to represent a variety of content according to your specific needs. For example, the method can also be used to render <img>, <input>, <button> and other standard HTML tags. You also have option to use several types of HTML helpers including inline, built-in, and template HTML helpers. Also, you can render more complex content by creating customized HTML Helpers. For instance, you can create custom HTML Helper to display the data retrieved from database in a tabular format, or render a menu strip.

4) TempData

While using ASP.Net MVC, you have option to pass data from the current request to subsequent request through TempData. The option will make it easier for you to pass data while redirecting from one page to another. However, the lifespan of the option is short, and it will expire once target view is loaded fully. So you have to call the Keep() method to persist data in TempData. The Keep method, however, needs to be called within the current action to keep the value in TempData even after the request is completed.

5) ASP.Net MVC Filters

Often developers have to put extra effort to inject a logic or piece of code before or after executing an action. ASP.NeT MVC makes the process simpler for programmers by allowing them to use custom attributes. The ASP.Net MVC attribute or custom attribute contains the logic or code by implementing filter interface. While developing web application with ASP.Net MVC, you have option to use filters for custom authorization, custom authentication, error handling, data compression and data caching. Based on the requirements of the application, you have option to choose from several types of filters including authentication, authorization, action, result, and exception filters.

It is always important for a developer to decide if ASP.Net MVC is the best option to develop a specific internet application. So you must compare the features of ASP.NET MVC 5.1 according to specific needs of the web application development project to leverage its power more effectively. You can get in touch with a custom .net development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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Applications in ASP.Net and WCF - Some Differences

There is a lot to be discussed about the difference between ASP.Net and WCF or Windows Communication Foundation.

What ASP. NET Web API is

First of all, let us know what actually ASP. NET Web API is. It is actually a framework that utilizes HTTP services and in the process, makes it easier to respond to the requests raised by the clients. The response provided depends upon the type or nature of the requests. The main function of the Web API is to build the HTTP services, along with handling the requests by using various HTTP driven protocols. Hence, it can well be said that ASP. NET Web API is an HTTP service that uses typical HTTP applications and is designed to reach a wider spectrum of clients having a wide range of requirements.

ASP.Net Web based API is used to create RESTful or Representational State Transfer services. Some of the salient features of the ASP.Net Web API are discussed below.

• It supports various features of MVC applications
• It is a typical REST services platform
• It is a HTTP service creating framework
• It comes up with API MediaType Formatter that can format the responses into JSON or JavaScript Object Notation as well as XML or Extencible Markup Language.

Choosing between WCF and Web API

Web API

• For creating a service with all HTTP features, you need to choose Web API. Some of these features include request headers and response headers, versioning, URIs and the likes.
• Choosing API becomes imperative when there is need for exposing HTTP services to a wider spectrum of clients through mobiles, iPhones, browsers and so on.

WCF

• WCF is generally chosen when creating any service that would support one-way messaging, duplex communication, message queues and so on.
• It is also chosen for creating services that utilizes a quick transport channel like UDP, TCP, named pipe criteria etc.

Choosing Web API over ACF or the other way round

Interoperability Of The Clients

RESTful services and particularly API, mainly put emphasis on simplicity. Applications that can access websites as well as RESTful services by using HTTP calls. This may differ from the SOAP, where clients need to understand the web service by using similar HTTP calls. This is different from the SOAP where clients need to understand the web service with the utilization of WSDL file. WSDL configuration makes things to some extent complicated and needs some additional logic that a lot of devices might not come up with. These devices include phones, interactive TVs and so on.

In short, let us discuss the features of the two frameworks so that the readers have a thorough idea.

WCF

• The ServiceContract as well as OperationContract attributes are generally utilized to define the WCF service

• It Supports a number of protocols such as Named Pipes, TCP, HTTP, MSMQ, HTTPS, and TCP

• Hosted by IIS, Windows Activation Service or WAS, Self-hosting, as well as Windows Service

• Supports fast as well as reliable messaging security, absolutely safe, quick and foolproof transaction along with AJAX and REST support.

• Supports DataContract serializer with the use of System.Runtime.Serialization

• Supports Request-Response, One-Way, as well as Duplex service operations

• WCF is much faster than the Web Services

• There is the option of serializing the Hash Table.

•  Unhandled Exceptions do not get back to the clients as in SOAP faults. WCF supports a better handling of exceptions with the use of FaultContract.

• Supports XML, MTOM, as well as Binary encoding of messages.

• Supports multi-threading with the use of ServiceBehaviour class

ASP.NET Web Service

• WebService as well as WebMethod attributes is used to define a web service.

• Supports only HTTP and HTTPS protocols.

• Hosted solely in IIS.

• Support security but it is considered less safe than the WCF.

• Supports serializer of XML with the use of System.Xml.Serialization

• Supports One-Way as well as operations of Request-Response service.

• Web Services are much lower than the WCF in terms of speed

• One cannot serialize Hash Table. It can be done with only those selective collections that implement IEnumerable as well as ICollection.

• Unhandled Exceptions are returned as SOAP faults to the clients.

• Supports XML as well as Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism or MTOM message encoding.

• Does not support multi-threading

You can get in touch with a .net development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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New Features In ASP.NET 4.5 Webforms

The new version 4.5 of ASP.NET Web Forms has come up with a string of latest value-added features that are specifically designed as well as developed for superior user experience, that come in handy at the time of working with huge databases.

In all the earlier versions of ASP.NET, the users had to use various expressions like Bind() and Eval() while using data-binding for deriving the object member value. However, in case of the latest version, the users will be able to declare the type or class of the control-bound data with the use of the new ItemType property. Once this property is set, the user will be able to use a strong variable for receiving the benefits that Visual Studio features. Some of the benefits include effective member navigation, IntelliSense, compilation-time checking option and so on.

The latest data-bound controlling features also help the users to specify customized methods that may be used to select, update, modify, delete, or insert data, and to simplify the interactions between application logics and page controls. Besides, the latest version also comes up with a latest model binding feature that helps users to map the data directly from the page into the method parameters.

Validation of user input has become much easier in the latest version which helps users to annotate the customized model classes with various attributes of validation from the System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations namespace.

The new 4.5 version of the web form also integrates jQuery with the client end validation and that provides a much cleaner as well as more composite client-end codes along with the standard features of JavaScript.

Besides, with the introduction of the new version the area that is designated for requesting validation has seen certain improvements. These new features make it much easier for the users to deactivate the request validations selectively, for certain definite parts of the application. Also, going through the request data that have been invalidated, becomes much easier in the newer version.

The server controls of the new version of the Web Form have undergone significant facelift specifically with a view to take maximum advantage provided by the new HTML5 features.

TextMode Property

TextMode Property of the TextBox control has gone through a major modification for supporting the input types like datetime, email etc that HTML5 features.

FileUpload Control

FileUpload Control of the new version can now support upload of multiple files simultaneously from the browsers that support this unique feature of HTML5.

Improved Validator Controls

Improved Validator Controls of the newer version support validation of the input elements that HTML5 comes up with.

UpdatePanel control

The new UpdatePanel control is specifically designed for supporting posting of the input fields that are customary with HTML5.

Client Side JavaScript APIs

The new version also comes up with the client side JavaScript APIs that can be used for initiating connections, sending and receiving messages to and from the server.

Server Side APIs

ASP.NET 4.5 provides improved APIs that the users can easily use for writing codes that specifically accept the WebSocket request from the clients and upgrade HTTP for receiving WebSocket requests.

Improved features of Request Validation

Request Validation is one of the most significant features that have been incorporated in the new version. The new feature examines all the incoming requests to ensure whether they contain harmful contents or not.

Improved Pocket

The latest avatar comes up with an improved pocket that has two features – Deferred Request Validation and ValidateRequestMode property.

Other features that the latest ASP.NET comes up with include Text Box TextMode properties, that supports increased number of values like datetime and email, and huge number of HTML5 controls that support runat=”server” attribute for supporting the “~” sign when it specifies a particular URL.

Also there is an improved File upload control that supports uploading multiple files. You can get in touch with a custom .net development company who can help you with your .Net software projects.

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Creating Web API's and mobile sites with .Net

The ASP.NET Web API framework makes building of HTTP very easy; the services will be able to reach a huge assortment of clients, including both on mobile devices as well as browsers. WebAPI content negotiation ensures data return according to client requests. For example, if the client request is to return data as XML or JSOB, the request type is dealt with the framework, returning the appropriate data according to the media type. This platform is ideal for the building of pure services that are HTTP based. Here HTTP protocol is maintained for the request as well as response. GET, DELETE, PUT and POST request can be made by the client and the appropriate Web API response can be got.

Just serving webpages is not what HTTP is for. The powerful platform also helps in the building up of APIs which expose data as well as services. HTTP is ubiquitous, simple and flexible. Almost all platforms have HTTP libraries so a wide range of clients can be reached through HTTP services, including conventional desktop applications, browsers as well as mobile devices.

ASP.NET WebAPI can be used for the creation of web API which returns a product list. For display of results, jQuery is used by front-end web page. The Visual Studio should be started and New Project selected from Start page. Alternatively, you can also select New from File menu and then choose Project. Go to Templates pane to choose Installed Templates to expand Visual C# node under which Web should be selected. Choose ASP.NET Web Application in the project templates list. The project should then be named “ProductsApp” and then clicked OK. There will be a dialog box named New ASP.NET development Project in which the Empty template should be selected. Check WebAPI under “Add folders and core references for”. Then click OK. The WebAPI template can also be used for the creation of API project.

There is no substantial difference between developing web pages for desktop browsers and that for mobile device browsers. For the creation of apps for mobile devices, a System.Web.Mobile namespace is provided by .NET which is devoted particularly for mobile app development. Webpage may be created from the base class called MobilePage and then controls may be added from System.Web.Mobile namespace which determines a suite of web server adapters and controls that turn out to be extremely useful during the creation of applications. The apps then should be made available to many various mobile devices like cell phones.

Control adaptive architecture is also provided by .NET, which allows the creation of custom device adapters for web server controls. Custom rendering can be created by the adapters for controls, supported by requesting browser. Adaptive architecture helps in the creation of custom adapters for server controls so specific output can be rendered to particular devices accessing the application on browsers. Standard, event-driven model is followed by development so that the application can respond to button clicks, user requests, etc and this is standard for both mobile devices as well as desktop browsers.

Even existing websites can be embedded with some changes to transform it to a more user-friendly version for mobile devices so that the content can fit the tiny screen, boasting of an efficient as well as clean design. All you need is Mobile browser emulator. However, in case of complex applications, it is best to create different user interfaces that have different flows of UI.

The creation of both web APIs as well as mobile sites are easy processes by virtue of .NET. This free framework not only offers ease of development but is extremely versatile, making it a preferred choice amongst developers.

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ASP Dot NET Web Development- Latest Technology with Numerous Advantages

As a widely used web application development framework, ASP.NET needs no introduction. Microsoft further updates the framework constantly to enable developers to build dynamic websites, internet applications and web services rapidly. While developing web applications with ASP.NET, each seasoned developer can further focus on many ongoing trends. As many reports highlighted, the top ASP.NET trends for 2014 includes Open Web Interface for .NET (OWIN), SignalR, ASP.NET Web API and Azure. However, the beginners need to learn features of the framework, along with the advantages of using the latest technology for internet application development.

Key Advantages of ASP Dot NET Web Development

Supports Multiple Website Development Approaches

Web developers across the world use HTML, JavaScript and CSS to build standards-based websites. But the approach for creating website varies from one developer to another. ASP.NET makes it easier for developers to choose the right approach by supporting three website development approaches. The programmers opting for component-based development can use the controls and event model provided by ASP.NET Web. At the same time, ASP.NET MVC facilitates test-driven development, while allowing developers to keep the design and logic separate. Similarly, the code and HTML markup can be combined seamlessly on a single page through ASP.NET Web Pages. The three distinct approaches can be further combined according to the specific requirements of a project.

Integrated Development Environment

The ASP.NET developers can further use an integrated development environment (IDE) to build dynamic internet applications within a shorter span of time. Both Visual Studio and ASP.NET allow them to use a large number of tools, along with powerful editors for HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. The developers can simply use IntelliSense with JavaScript to check the CSS selectors that works seamlessly in the web browser. Similarly, the Browser Link can be used to refresh a dozen connected web browsers in an instant. Along with creating internet applications, the IDE further facilitate efficient source control while publishing the site to a server or the cloud.

ASP.NET Web API

Nowadays, most websites and web applications use lightweight and rich REST based web services. The developers can use ASP.NET Web API to create REST based web services. These web services can further return a variety of content supported on the internet including XML and JSON. The API can also be used effectively to provide data services to mobile apps running on popular mobile operating systems like iOS, Android and Windows Phones. At the same time, the ASP.NET Web API is accessible to all internet applications developed using ASP.NET Web Forms, MVC or Web Pages.

SignalR

The programmers also have option to add real-time features to the ASP.NET application through SignalR. The go-to library further facilitates bi-directional communication between client and server in a real-time environment. SignalR further supports new standards like Web Sockets to make the internet application compatible with older browsers. It also provides support the JavaScript clients, along with clients on a variety of mobile platforms.

Facilitates Rapid Mobile Application Development

The mobile application development frameworks have made it easier for programmers to build mobile applications. A developer familiar with JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3 can use the tools provided by these frameworks to develop mobile applications. ASP.NET helps programmers in building mobile apps by providing responsive design frameworks. The Visual Studio 2013 comes with innovative frameworks like Twitter Bootstrap. At the same time, the ASP.NET developers also have option to use any open grid system or CSS framework, along with powerful mobile app development systems like PhoneGap, jQuery Mobile or Sencha.

A developer can further use the most recent version of ASP.NET to avail a set of advanced and innovative features. For instance, ASP.NET 4.5 allows streams to be read in an asynchronous way on an HTTP request entity, along with double-buffering an HTTP request entity.

Get in touch with a .net application development company that brings to table years of .Net experience.

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Application Development- Why is Dot Net preferred?

Web developers love to use the computer programming language called Dot Net or .Net. This Microsoft Corporation developed language originally was called next generation windows service. Repeated developments and improvisations have made it an extremely sophisticated language, compatible with any platform or browser. Not only does it improve and enhance programming models for provision of better web-based infrastructure, but it also delivers software as a service that is web based as well.

This framework is a programming model for .Net platform and is used for building, deploying as well as running XML web applications and services. It provides a high standard-based and productive environment so that existing investments may be integrated with the next-generation services, apps and agility. This in turn helps in solving the challenges of operation as well as that of deployment of the internet-scale applications. There are two primary parts in the framework- common language runtime along with an integrated cluster of class libraries. They include ASP.NET for XML Web services and Web applications, ADO.NET for data access that is loosely-coupled and Windows Forms that are meant for smart client-based applications.

Benefits that make Dot Net more preferable than any other platform

Realizing new opportunities for business- Agile application architecture is provided by XML Web services both externally as well as internally. This simplifies the process of integrating application across internet or intranet. Integration with applications, customers and suppliers can be easily enabled with it. The design of the framework is done from ground up so that XML Web services can be used as native communication mechanism.

Delivering excellent TCO- Some very best TCO or total cost of ownerships are delivered by Windows and on that further build up is done by .NET. It improves security, application reliability, performance as well as deployment so that you can run application on low cost hardware and on high volume.

Reducing time for marketing- Existing applications, IT skills and developer skills may be leveraged with the help of this framework so that the IT infrastructure may be built faster than ever. Existing applications may be easily turned into XML Web services; that too without having to resort to recompiling or rewriting by virtue of deep runtime capabilities.

Reduction of development efforts- Development efforts are reduced in .NET since developers are not required to mix HTML code along with ASP code so that required data may be fetched from database to the web page. In fact, it helps by unraveling the presentation as well as application logic so that the code may be created. The development process is further simplified through its help in the debugging procedure. Applications can be easily deployed as well as installed.

Protecting current investments- Since the development platforms of .NET are Global XML and XML web service architecture, integration standards are maintained. The core of the platforms is CLI and C# which is ECMA standardized, thus enabling the implementation of the framework by other companies as well as protection of your investment in the long run.

Language independent- The language independent factor makes for a very attractive feature here. It attempts to eradicate the discrepancy taking place when you employ different languages simultaneously for carrying out a single task. It is emphatic that you just need a common technique; you can perform the task with support from .NET library as well. You also need to write a lot lesser code.

The benefits as well as ease in application development when using the Dot Net framework make it a clear favorite among the developers. In fact, the applications are also enabled with lots of security features that are intrinsic with the platform itself. So when you use this neutral unique language infrastructure you will also be taking advantage of various system management tools like organizing, testing, development as well as implementation of software along with robust security measurements, making it a win-win situation for you. You can get in touch with a custom .Net development company who can help you develop web apps.

Expert .Net developer India teams can leverage the benefits of this amazing framework and help build applications for you. If you would like to know more about what makes us the best .Net development India provider, please get in touch with Mindfire Solutions.