The ASP.NET has been divided into multiple code frameworks. Earlier, they are created separately but now they are coming together. Now, it allows a user to develop a website or web application by using Web Forms or MVC or Web Page and services by using Web API or SignalR.
1. .NET Framework
The .Net framework is a collection of component windows operating system that supports development and execution of next generation applications, Windows store apps and services.
2. ASP.NET Framework
The ASP.NET Framework is used to create dynamic website, web application and web services. It is built on the top of .NET Framework. The ASP.NET Framework provides various capabilities to the usser like Hosting Model, Site/Service Management, Protocol Abstraction, Security, Caching capability, Routing and Model Binding etc.
ASP.NET is mainely divided into two parts – ASP.NET Sites and ASP.NET Services.
3. ASP.NET Site
These are the following parts of ASP.NET Site
a. Web Forms
This is the traditional event driven development model. It consist of drag and drop server controls, server events and state management techniques. This is best for rapid application development (RAD) with a powerful data access.
b. MVC
This is a lightweight and MVC (Model, View, and Controller) pattern based development model. It support many features that allow user to develop high level webistes. it is also good for developing lightweight, interactive and device oriented web application with latest web standards.
c. Web Pages
This is also a lightweight and Razor syntax based development model. It consist of built-in template and helpers that provide full control over mark-up. It is best used for developing beautiful web application with latest web standards.
d. SPA
SPA stands for Single Page Application which helps user to create a web applications that include significant client-side interactions using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. It is used to make highly interactive single page dashboard web applications.
4. ASP.NET Services
The two ways to make ASP.NET Services are
a.Web API
The ASP.NET Web API is a framework used for creating HTTP services that can be consume by a broad range of clients including browsers, mobiles, iphone and tablets.
b.SignalR
The ASP.NET SignalR is a library that simplifies the process of adding real-time web functionality to applications. Real-time web functionality is the ability to have server code push content to connected clients instantly as it becomes available, rather than having the server wait for a client to request new data.
5. Visual Studio 2012
The Visual Studio IDE offers a set of tools that help user to write and modify the code for the program, and also detect and correct errors in the program. By Using Visual Studio 2012 a user can develop Windows Store apps, desktop apps, mobile apps, ASP.NET web apps, and web services.