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What is the Best Way to Learn ASP Efficiantly

by kennyk3
10 replies
Hey Everyone,

I have a pretty good knowledge of CSS/xHTML, very, very, very little PHP (just from messing with WordPress) and I'm interested in learning ASP.

I just wanted to know from all of you ASP programmers out there, what's the best way to get started? How did you get started? What helped you the most to get to a point where you were efficient and could actually build sites with ASP? Any prerequisites I should start with?

Thanks for all the help!
#asp #efficiantly #learn #learning asp
  • Profile picture of the author jonhel
    Hi there,

    I've just begun to learn the Microsoft ways having always done PHP and MySQL etc.

    Correct me if I'm mistaken but hasn't ASP been made obsolete by asp.net etc.? I've just taken delivery of a book that I purchased from Sitepoint on the latest version which is asp.net 3.5.

    It's a case of each to their own but I've always found books a good starting point, particularly when learning a totally new framework or way of doing things.

    Jonathan
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  • Profile picture of the author jimbob
    The best way to learn something new like a programming language is to actually apply it to a new project. So, rather than just attempting to 'learn', put it into practice and create a site.

    ASP.NET is the way to go now, as Jonathan has said. And books are definitely the best starting point when it comes to learning, along with online resources (though I find it easier to read a physical book). So maybe pick a project, grab a book and see if you can build a site and put the language to use.

    James
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    James Simpson

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  • Profile picture of the author edynas
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    Is there a reason why you choose .asp and not php?
    Because php is more used as it works on linux servers which counts for the majority of internet servers. asp only works on microsoft based servers.

    If you have a reason ok but if you want to learn a programming language that you can use to build dynamic websites I would highly recommand php above asp
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  • Profile picture of the author ravijayagopal
    ASP hosting can get expensive.

    ASP is not as ubiquitous as PHP. PHP/MySQL (with Apache/Linux - a.k.a LAMP) hosting can be found for less than $1 per month.

    I doubt after adding in the cost of your SQL server database and ASP hosting, that the cost can ever beat the price of LAMP.

    Also, with PHP5, PHP has really come of age. If you know object-oriented programming, PHP5 is a pleasure to code with.

    Plus you can't beat the open source community supporting PHP/MySQL/Apache/Linux.

    Just my $0.02.

    - Ravi Jayagopal
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    • Profile picture of the author Tom B
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ravijayagopal View Post

      ASP hosting can get expensive.

      ASP is not as ubiquitous as PHP. PHP/MySQL (with Apache/Linux - a.k.a LAMP) hosting can be found for less than $1 per month.

      I doubt after adding in the cost of your SQL server database and ASP hosting, that the cost can ever beat the price of LAMP.


      - Ravi Jayagopal
      Why do you need to add in the cost of sql server when you can use mysql, firebird and many other databases with asp.net?


      I never had a problem getting decent hosting on windows that cost a lot.
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  • Profile picture of the author kennyk3
    Hey everyone, thanks so much for your input.

    I've actually really wanted to learn PHP for quite some time, but recently interviewed for a job where the site was built in ASP. After reading all of your input, it makes me want to learn PHP again, because I think it'll be more valuable for me anyways.

    Thanks again for all the help.
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  • Profile picture of the author joethewebmaster
    ASP / ASP.net is a powerful language, that is why most big business use it. ASP programmers generally get paid more than php as well (less ASP programmers out there). Personally I started to program with GW-BASIC(DOS), then VB so ASP just came naturally. I have not made the switch over to .NET because I do not intend to re-create my life's work when ASP works for anything needing accomplished. If your starting from scratch learn the .net flavor.
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  • Profile picture of the author rlnorthcutt
    If your goal is to go work for a corporation, then learning .Net might be a good way to go. I have a buddy making $80k+ a year as a .Net programmer for Dell.

    That being said - I'd still focus on PHP.

    PHP is more widely used in the "wild" and with independent programmers and small businesses - free, open source and robust. Its a very forgiving language.

    Actually, I strongly suggest that you look around for a good open source CMS to focus on. This offers you built in structure, a community, code to work with and alot of the heavy lifting is done.

    Personally, I prefer the Drupal CMS (drupal.org)... I have been able to build an entire freelance career building Drupal sites in a very short amount of time (less than a year ago I was a real estate broker).
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  • Profile picture of the author shinzo159
    hey!! you could find a lot of online tutorials on ASP programming! Why not try an interactive learning? They are free!
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  • Profile picture of the author bio prez
    hello, i have been working with ASP/ASP.NET for years now. The best way to learn is to goto tutorial websites, read through and try to run the tutorials yourself. ASP is really easy to learn, ASP.NET is a little harder.

    Here is a good tutorial to get you started with understanding the basics:
    Note, i cant post URL's yet since im new to forum, but google 'asp basics' and its the first result.

    After that, my favorite site for tutorials is codeproject, that have so much good information on that site, i have learned alot from them so far

    Google codeproject and you'll find it. On the left side, click Web Development and then ASP and you'll find everything you need to get started.

    Hope this helps!
    Mark
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