J
Juan T. Llibre
Welcome to the ASP.NET FAQ.
Thank you for reading this FAQ!
Use it to improve your online experience.
The Microsoft Public Newsgroups allow users of Microsoft products to exchange technical
information and expertise. Please avoid personal attacks, slurs and profanity in your posts.
A FAQ is a list of Frequently Answered Questions;
This is a guide to using this newsgroup intelligently in order to find answers to your ASP.NET questions.
The kind of answer you get to your questions depends on the way
you ask the questions as well as on the difficulty of writing the answer.
This FAQ will show you how to ask questions in a way that is likely to get you the answer you want to get : the right answer.
You have to do your part, too, if this is going to work out in such a way
that you *learn* what you need to learn, instead of getting ready-made answers
which you will promptly forget and need to ask for them again.
With that in mind, the first FAQ recommendation is that you use search engines
to find out if the question you intend to ask has been already answered in newsgroups.
Use resources like :
Google Groups Advanced Search ( http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search )
MSN Search ( http://www.msn.com/ )
to search for the text of the problem which is stumping you,
and save everybody the waste of time that asking a FAQ entails.
Remember : thousands of programmers will read your post. Be considerate of their time.
1. General ASP.NET Questions
1.1 What is ASP.NET?
ASP.NET is a technology for creating dynamic Web pages which uses the ..Net Framework.
You can author applications in any .NET compatible language, including Visual Basic .NET,
C#, and JScript .NET, and many others listed at http://www.dotnetpowered.com/languages.aspx .
1.2 Where can I get ASP.NET?
You can get ASP.NET by installing the Microsoft .NET Framework on a computer which has IIS installed.
The .NET Framework is available in either a redistributable or SDK format.
ASP.NET 2.0, currently in Beta, will be released the first week in November, 2005.
1.3 I've installed the .NET Framework, but ASP.NET doesn't seem to work.
What can I do to fix it?
You must install IIS before you install the .NET Framework.
If you install IIS after you install the .NET Framework,
you must then register the ASP.NET extensions with IIS.
You can do this by running the aspnet_regiis executable from:
%windows root directory%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\%version of the .NET Framework%\aspnet_regiis -i
Where %windows root directory% is the directory Windows is installed to
(normally c:\windows or c:\winnt) and %version of the .NET Framework%
is the version of the .NET Framework you have installed.
The directory for .NET 1.0 is v1.0.3705 ; for 1.1 it's v1.1.4322 and for Beta 2, it's v2.0.50215.
It's always a good idea to try to find the answer to your question by reading the documentation.
Yes, Read The Manual! The ASP.NET Quickstarts have many answers and samples.
You can install a local copy of the QuickStarts by installing the ASP.NET SDK.
The ASP.NET 1.1 SDK is available at :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a6-3647-4070-9f41-a333c6b9181d&displaylang=en
The ASP.NET 2.0 SDK comes with the VS.NET Beta :
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/
If you can't install local copies of the ASP.NET QuickStart,
the ASP.NET 1.1 QuickStart is available online at :
http://www.asp.net/Tutorials/quickstart.aspx
The ASP.NET 1.1 Starter Kits are available at :
http://www.asp.net/Default.aspx?tabindex=8&tabid=47
The ASP.NET 2.0 QuickStart is available online at :
http://beta.asp.net/quickstart/aspnet/Default.aspx
The ASP.NET Beta 2 Starter Kits are available at :
http://www.asp.net/vwd/starterkits.aspx?tabIndex=4&tabId=46
Always try to find an answer by experimenting with the code.
The .NET Framework Class Browser is of great assistance to help you do this.
The .NET Framework 1.1 Class Browser is available at :
http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/samples/classbrowser/CS/ClassBrowser.aspx
and also at :
http://www.csharpfriends.com/quickstart/aspplus/samples/classbrowser/vb/classbrowser.aspx
The .NET Framework 2.0 Class Browser is available at :
http://beta.asp.net/quickstart/util/classbrowser.aspx
MSDN has all the ASP.NET documentation and Knowledge Base articles online.
Search MSDN for ASP.NET and .Net Framework questions at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework/
Search the MSDN Visual Studio Beta 2 documentation at: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/default.aspx
2. Newsgroup Questions
2.1 What subjects are appropriate in this newsgroup?
Any subject which relates to programming, installing or configuring ASP.NET.
Please don't post questions unrelated to ASP.NET.
ASP.NET is not the same as ASP. If you have questions relating to "Classic ASP",
post them in the ASP newsgroups, e.g. microsoft.public.inetserver.asp.general.
We encourage the posting of links to free ASP.NET controls/assemblies you have developed,
but request that commercial product availabilities be sent to :
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.announcements
Otherwise, your post will be deleted as SPAM.
2.2 How to write your post
a. Make the "Subject" a short, relevant summary of your problem
b. Make sure you describe your problem accurately.
Please post the exact code which is failing/generating your error.
That will help others find the solution to your problem.
c. Deal with one problem at a time.
If you have more than one problem, post it separately.
d. Make sure you include the version of ASP.NET and the
operating system you are using. This *really* helps others help you!
If the problem is a browser-related problem, include the relevant
browser identity and operating system information.
e. If you are getting an error message, include the error number and its text.
f. Tell us what you have already tried to do to solve the problem.
2.3 How not to write your post
a. Avoid cross-posting, unless your problem applies to more than one newsgroup.
b. Never post identical messages with different subjects.
This is a sure way to get your posts ignored.
c. Don't post your message in ALL CAPITALS. It's very hard to read.
This is another sure way to get your posts ignored.
d. Don't use unclear subject lines which don't summarize a problem, like these:
HEEEELLLLPPP!!!!!
Need help please.
Any experts here?
This is yet another sure way to get your posts ignored.
e. Don't ask for an email reply. The basis for peer-to-peer help newsgroups
like this one is for *everybody* to be helped by the answers provided.
f. Don't flame anyone, period. Nobody needs that in technical newsgroups.
If something, or someone, irks you, ignore the post.
Please treat all participants with respect, valuing divergent views and contrary opinions.
Be polite. Share your perspectives to question ideas and stimulate interesting discussions.
g. The ASP.NET newsgroups, like all Microsoft public ng's, are unmoderated.
From time to time, there will be totally off-topic posts from trolls, spammers,
pornographers, etc. Please don't reply to these posts, as it's a waste of time.
Instead, killfile the poster if the post bothers you.
Microsoft has an anti-spam program in effect, and spam messages
are eliminated by a community program, but it's difficult to detect
some SPAM messages. Have patience and don't reply to any SPAM message.
We will get to it, and delete it.
2.4 Dealing with replies to your post
a. Trim unnecessary text from the replies to your posts, leaving just enough to
get the context of the reply and the original problem. This is greatly
appreciated by the people who are trying to help you, since it saves them time.
b. Analyze the suggestion you were given, and test to see whether it solves the problem.
c. If the problem isn't solved by the suggestion, explain why in a follow-up reply.
2.5 After you get your answer...
a. Confirm whether the proposed solution worked or not.
b. Thank the poster who gave you the answer to your question.
For people who spend their free time, unpaid, helping others in
peer-to-peer newsgroups, there's nothing better than to get a "Thank you".
ASP.NET links :
Learning ASP.NET : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/learn/
ASP.NET Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/
ASP.NET Developer Center Archive : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/archive/default.aspx
ASP.NET Forums : http://forums.asp.net/ ( Online ASP.NET Forum )
ASP.NET 1.1 Support Center : http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6351
ASP.NET Security Practices : http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/PAGPractices0001.asp
ASP.NET Security How Tos : http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/SecurityHowTosIndex.asp
ADO.NET Support Center : http://support.microsoft.com/adonet
SQL Server Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/SQL/
IIS Tips and Hints : http://www.asp.net/Default.aspx?tabindex=9&tabid=48
Please ask VS2005 questions at http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/ , and not in this ASP.NET newsgroup.
ASP.NET 2.0 questions can be posted either here or at : http://forums.asp.net/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=26
Official FAQs and Developer Resources :
ASP.NET Beta 2 FAQ : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/beta2/faq/default.aspx
..NEt Framework Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework/
VB Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/
C# Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/
J# Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vjsharp/
New ASP.NET Developer? See : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/learn/newtodevelopment/
Free Learning Courses from Microsoft : http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/learning/
Selected MSDN Technical Articles on ASP.NET : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/articles/default.aspx
Full Index to MSDN ASP.NET articles : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/archive/default.aspx
Free Online Book : Improving .Net Application Performance and Scalability:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag/html/scalenet.asp
Dedicated ASP.NET newsgroups at msnews.microsoft.com ( Microsoft's public nntp server ):
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.security
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.caching
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.webservices
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.webcontrols
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.datagridcontrol
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.announcements
The general .NET Framework newsgroup is : microsoft.public.dotnet.framework
The ADO.Net newsgroup is : microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.adonet
The newsgroups for SQL Server and MSDE are :
microsoft.public.sqlserver.server and microsoft.public.sqlserver.msde
If you have a question which would fit better at one of the
above newsgroups, consider posting it in the appropiate one(s).
You can also use the HTML interface to the Microsoft Discussion Groups :
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx
Other FAQs and Developer Resources :
Connection Strings : http://www.connectionstrings.com/
SQL Server Forums : http://www.sqlmonster.com/
DotNetJunkies : http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/
W3Schools ASP.NET Tutorial : http://www.w3schools.com/aspnet/default.asp
Egghead Cafe : http://www.eggheadcafe.com/default.asp
..Net Framework FAQ : http://www.andymcm.com/dotnetfaq.htm
C# FAQ : http://www.andymcm.com/csharpfaq.htm
Free eBook : VB.NET Fundamentals, Sheriff and Getz :
http://platform.innerworkings.com/public/vbrun/setup/VBNETFundamentals.msi
ASP.NET Version Switcher : http://www.denisbauer.com/NETTools/ASPNETVersionSwitcher.aspx
We are working on a FAQ for specific programming questions.
When it's ready, we will include a link to it in this FAQ.
The online version of this FAQ is at http://asp.net.do/faq/
Thank you for reading this FAQ!
Use it to improve your online experience.
The Microsoft Public Newsgroups allow users of Microsoft products to exchange technical
information and expertise. Please avoid personal attacks, slurs and profanity in your posts.
A FAQ is a list of Frequently Answered Questions;
This is a guide to using this newsgroup intelligently in order to find answers to your ASP.NET questions.
The kind of answer you get to your questions depends on the way
you ask the questions as well as on the difficulty of writing the answer.
This FAQ will show you how to ask questions in a way that is likely to get you the answer you want to get : the right answer.
You have to do your part, too, if this is going to work out in such a way
that you *learn* what you need to learn, instead of getting ready-made answers
which you will promptly forget and need to ask for them again.
With that in mind, the first FAQ recommendation is that you use search engines
to find out if the question you intend to ask has been already answered in newsgroups.
Use resources like :
Google Groups Advanced Search ( http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search )
MSN Search ( http://www.msn.com/ )
to search for the text of the problem which is stumping you,
and save everybody the waste of time that asking a FAQ entails.
Remember : thousands of programmers will read your post. Be considerate of their time.
1. General ASP.NET Questions
1.1 What is ASP.NET?
ASP.NET is a technology for creating dynamic Web pages which uses the ..Net Framework.
You can author applications in any .NET compatible language, including Visual Basic .NET,
C#, and JScript .NET, and many others listed at http://www.dotnetpowered.com/languages.aspx .
1.2 Where can I get ASP.NET?
You can get ASP.NET by installing the Microsoft .NET Framework on a computer which has IIS installed.
The .NET Framework is available in either a redistributable or SDK format.
ASP.NET 2.0, currently in Beta, will be released the first week in November, 2005.
1.3 I've installed the .NET Framework, but ASP.NET doesn't seem to work.
What can I do to fix it?
You must install IIS before you install the .NET Framework.
If you install IIS after you install the .NET Framework,
you must then register the ASP.NET extensions with IIS.
You can do this by running the aspnet_regiis executable from:
%windows root directory%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\%version of the .NET Framework%\aspnet_regiis -i
Where %windows root directory% is the directory Windows is installed to
(normally c:\windows or c:\winnt) and %version of the .NET Framework%
is the version of the .NET Framework you have installed.
The directory for .NET 1.0 is v1.0.3705 ; for 1.1 it's v1.1.4322 and for Beta 2, it's v2.0.50215.
It's always a good idea to try to find the answer to your question by reading the documentation.
Yes, Read The Manual! The ASP.NET Quickstarts have many answers and samples.
You can install a local copy of the QuickStarts by installing the ASP.NET SDK.
The ASP.NET 1.1 SDK is available at :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a6-3647-4070-9f41-a333c6b9181d&displaylang=en
The ASP.NET 2.0 SDK comes with the VS.NET Beta :
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/
If you can't install local copies of the ASP.NET QuickStart,
the ASP.NET 1.1 QuickStart is available online at :
http://www.asp.net/Tutorials/quickstart.aspx
The ASP.NET 1.1 Starter Kits are available at :
http://www.asp.net/Default.aspx?tabindex=8&tabid=47
The ASP.NET 2.0 QuickStart is available online at :
http://beta.asp.net/quickstart/aspnet/Default.aspx
The ASP.NET Beta 2 Starter Kits are available at :
http://www.asp.net/vwd/starterkits.aspx?tabIndex=4&tabId=46
Always try to find an answer by experimenting with the code.
The .NET Framework Class Browser is of great assistance to help you do this.
The .NET Framework 1.1 Class Browser is available at :
http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/samples/classbrowser/CS/ClassBrowser.aspx
and also at :
http://www.csharpfriends.com/quickstart/aspplus/samples/classbrowser/vb/classbrowser.aspx
The .NET Framework 2.0 Class Browser is available at :
http://beta.asp.net/quickstart/util/classbrowser.aspx
MSDN has all the ASP.NET documentation and Knowledge Base articles online.
Search MSDN for ASP.NET and .Net Framework questions at: http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework/
Search the MSDN Visual Studio Beta 2 documentation at: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/default.aspx
2. Newsgroup Questions
2.1 What subjects are appropriate in this newsgroup?
Any subject which relates to programming, installing or configuring ASP.NET.
Please don't post questions unrelated to ASP.NET.
ASP.NET is not the same as ASP. If you have questions relating to "Classic ASP",
post them in the ASP newsgroups, e.g. microsoft.public.inetserver.asp.general.
We encourage the posting of links to free ASP.NET controls/assemblies you have developed,
but request that commercial product availabilities be sent to :
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.announcements
Otherwise, your post will be deleted as SPAM.
2.2 How to write your post
a. Make the "Subject" a short, relevant summary of your problem
b. Make sure you describe your problem accurately.
Please post the exact code which is failing/generating your error.
That will help others find the solution to your problem.
c. Deal with one problem at a time.
If you have more than one problem, post it separately.
d. Make sure you include the version of ASP.NET and the
operating system you are using. This *really* helps others help you!
If the problem is a browser-related problem, include the relevant
browser identity and operating system information.
e. If you are getting an error message, include the error number and its text.
f. Tell us what you have already tried to do to solve the problem.
2.3 How not to write your post
a. Avoid cross-posting, unless your problem applies to more than one newsgroup.
b. Never post identical messages with different subjects.
This is a sure way to get your posts ignored.
c. Don't post your message in ALL CAPITALS. It's very hard to read.
This is another sure way to get your posts ignored.
d. Don't use unclear subject lines which don't summarize a problem, like these:
HEEEELLLLPPP!!!!!
Need help please.
Any experts here?
This is yet another sure way to get your posts ignored.
e. Don't ask for an email reply. The basis for peer-to-peer help newsgroups
like this one is for *everybody* to be helped by the answers provided.
f. Don't flame anyone, period. Nobody needs that in technical newsgroups.
If something, or someone, irks you, ignore the post.
Please treat all participants with respect, valuing divergent views and contrary opinions.
Be polite. Share your perspectives to question ideas and stimulate interesting discussions.
g. The ASP.NET newsgroups, like all Microsoft public ng's, are unmoderated.
From time to time, there will be totally off-topic posts from trolls, spammers,
pornographers, etc. Please don't reply to these posts, as it's a waste of time.
Instead, killfile the poster if the post bothers you.
Microsoft has an anti-spam program in effect, and spam messages
are eliminated by a community program, but it's difficult to detect
some SPAM messages. Have patience and don't reply to any SPAM message.
We will get to it, and delete it.
2.4 Dealing with replies to your post
a. Trim unnecessary text from the replies to your posts, leaving just enough to
get the context of the reply and the original problem. This is greatly
appreciated by the people who are trying to help you, since it saves them time.
b. Analyze the suggestion you were given, and test to see whether it solves the problem.
c. If the problem isn't solved by the suggestion, explain why in a follow-up reply.
2.5 After you get your answer...
a. Confirm whether the proposed solution worked or not.
b. Thank the poster who gave you the answer to your question.
For people who spend their free time, unpaid, helping others in
peer-to-peer newsgroups, there's nothing better than to get a "Thank you".
ASP.NET links :
Learning ASP.NET : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/learn/
ASP.NET Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/
ASP.NET Developer Center Archive : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/archive/default.aspx
ASP.NET Forums : http://forums.asp.net/ ( Online ASP.NET Forum )
ASP.NET 1.1 Support Center : http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6351
ASP.NET Security Practices : http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/PAGPractices0001.asp
ASP.NET Security How Tos : http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag2/html/SecurityHowTosIndex.asp
ADO.NET Support Center : http://support.microsoft.com/adonet
SQL Server Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/SQL/
IIS Tips and Hints : http://www.asp.net/Default.aspx?tabindex=9&tabid=48
Please ask VS2005 questions at http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/ , and not in this ASP.NET newsgroup.
ASP.NET 2.0 questions can be posted either here or at : http://forums.asp.net/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=26
Official FAQs and Developer Resources :
ASP.NET Beta 2 FAQ : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/beta2/faq/default.aspx
..NEt Framework Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework/
VB Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/
C# Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/
J# Developer Center : http://msdn.microsoft.com/vjsharp/
New ASP.NET Developer? See : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/learn/newtodevelopment/
Free Learning Courses from Microsoft : http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/learning/
Selected MSDN Technical Articles on ASP.NET : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/articles/default.aspx
Full Index to MSDN ASP.NET articles : http://msdn.microsoft.com/asp.net/archive/default.aspx
Free Online Book : Improving .Net Application Performance and Scalability:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnpag/html/scalenet.asp
Dedicated ASP.NET newsgroups at msnews.microsoft.com ( Microsoft's public nntp server ):
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.security
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.caching
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.webservices
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.buildingcontrols
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.webcontrols
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.datagridcontrol
microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet.announcements
The general .NET Framework newsgroup is : microsoft.public.dotnet.framework
The ADO.Net newsgroup is : microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.adonet
The newsgroups for SQL Server and MSDE are :
microsoft.public.sqlserver.server and microsoft.public.sqlserver.msde
If you have a question which would fit better at one of the
above newsgroups, consider posting it in the appropiate one(s).
You can also use the HTML interface to the Microsoft Discussion Groups :
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx
Other FAQs and Developer Resources :
Connection Strings : http://www.connectionstrings.com/
SQL Server Forums : http://www.sqlmonster.com/
DotNetJunkies : http://www.dotnetjunkies.com/
W3Schools ASP.NET Tutorial : http://www.w3schools.com/aspnet/default.asp
Egghead Cafe : http://www.eggheadcafe.com/default.asp
..Net Framework FAQ : http://www.andymcm.com/dotnetfaq.htm
C# FAQ : http://www.andymcm.com/csharpfaq.htm
Free eBook : VB.NET Fundamentals, Sheriff and Getz :
http://platform.innerworkings.com/public/vbrun/setup/VBNETFundamentals.msi
ASP.NET Version Switcher : http://www.denisbauer.com/NETTools/ASPNETVersionSwitcher.aspx
We are working on a FAQ for specific programming questions.
When it's ready, we will include a link to it in this FAQ.
The online version of this FAQ is at http://asp.net.do/faq/