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ASP.NET Website Development

For developers, ASP.NET is an ideal platform to become more productive. For managers, ASP.NET promotes correct use of the .NET framework. For web clients, ASP.NET provides the best experience possible for the browser, with different browsers in mind.

While seeming easy on the surface, ASP.NET can be quite complex. Particularly when setting out on a new project, the architecture choices you make early in the development cycle are critical to the project's success.

Performance and Interaction with Databases

The impact of a database is perhaps the most important performance  concern for most ASP.NET web applications. Ideally, you will want to only bring back enough data to the ASP.NET application to meet the specific requirement. Existing database functionality may not be ideal for your application. You will want to ensure the database interaction is either designed along with web application, or that you have the flexibility to add to the existing database functionality to suit your application development needs.

Many data-aware controls are available for your use. The full power of the ADO.NET objects are also there for you as well. Effective ASP.NET development involves understanding and correctly applying the unique methods and properties of all these components. Failing to fully understand any critical component can have serious negative consequences as the project unfolds.

Know Security

ASP.NET provides enhanced security capabilities for your application. You can easily authenticate with your Windows domain accounts. However, in extranet and Internet applications, this method is usually not feasible. Many public ASP.NET applications authenticate over a SSL connection using forms-based authentication and a custom scheme for managing users and groups. You may even consider a third-party component for common security tasks, including logins and shopping carts.

You are well-advised to fully understand all the security options available to you. If the application uses any sensitive data, such a personal identifying or financial information, a thorough security review is of the utmost importance. Consider retaining an outside consultant to validate your security infrastructure.

Understand Viewstate

Another commonly used, and misused, feature of ASP.NET is viewstate. This capability automatically encodes user state information into hidden text boxes, and preserves the state between trips to the server. While saving you much time and effort, this capability is not always needed, and can adversely affect performance when the amount of state information grows large. Understand when to use, and to not use, this feature, and how to control it.

Prototype and Evaluate Options

One of the most important early tasks in a complex web-based application is to establish a prototype. This gives the project stakeholders a tangible basis for discussion. Often, important requirements and other design considerations do not come to light until the after prototype is reviewed.

Prototypes can assist if you are attempting to win approval for a project. An experienced consultant can be produce a well-thought-out, professional-looking prototype quickly.

Design for Maintenance

While it is important to design the application to meet today's requirements, all too often the needs of the present far outweigh concerns for the future. If not designed in a modular, maintainable way, an application performing well today may become a monster to maintain.

Even if the same developers who created the application will also maintain it, after being away from the project for six months or so, much detailed memory of the application's nuances is lost. By taking some time to carefully and logically lay out the system, new developers and veterans alike, will be able to make modifications faster and with more accuracy.

Learn More

Productive Technology has much consulting experience developing ASP.NET applications. Your consultant can advise on architecture concerns, deliver prototypes fast, mentor your staff, or produce an entire ASP.NET application to your exact custom specifications. Contact Productive Technology today to learn more about how we can help.