The significant weaknesses of ASP.Net

ASP .Net is a flagship product from Microsoft to serve the web industry in an efficient manner. We can’t deny the importance of websites in our day-to-day life. Moreover devices like smart phones and tablets have increased the demand of web apps in the industry in a magical way. Understanding the situation, Microsoft has come up with its flagship web domain specific framework i.e., ASP .Net to withdraw the monopoly of the JSP from the industry. Fortunately it has gained tremendous popularity in the industry as expected; but nothing is perfect in this world and so the case for Microsoft’s ASP .Net. It has some shortcomings as well. Let us see what are the major shortcomings of ASP .Net?

What to consider while developing mobile friendly website in ASP.Net

Future relies on mobile apps: This is undeniable that the recent market is under the capture of smart devices like smart phones and tablets. The smart industry is growing at an unexpected rate and the same will grow further in coming future. Understanding the situation, industry is emphasizing on application development that can be fitted in different devices and platforms. The most important application is website for all platforms and browsers. Moreover, these smart devices are capable of web browsing and hence they are widely used for web browsing due to their portability nature. Mobile internet through mobile networks like GPRS, 2G and 3G are making the situation even smoother and better. Hence experts are expecting a bright future ahead for smart phones and mobile apps.

Tuning your .Net application to perform better - Few ways

Asp .net is a flagship product from Microsoft to handle the future demand of the industry with a special reference to web industry. In past decade if anything has seen an overwhelming and overnight response from the users throughout the globe is none other than cyber industry. There are many factors that have been triggering the demand for web development in the industry like introduction of handheld computer devices like smart phones and tablets, a growth of mobile networks around the globe and most importantly cloud technology being introduced in the industry. To cope with the situation, all the web languages and web frameworks are undergoing severe changes in their scale and performance. Asp .net is not an exception and it has improved its quality and reliability with time to meet the expectations of industry. Microsoft’s expert team has been giving continuous effort to make the product more efficient and effective than before. But its all depends upon the programmer who is responsible for the success of any application or product with exceptional quality. For quality we must produce an efficient and optimised product or application for the end user so that there will be no hassle while roaming inside the application for the user. Let us discuss how an asp .net developer can achieve full optimisation of the application in different possible methodologies.

Aspects of ASP.Net framework - Crucial ones

One of the most crucial aspects of ASP.NET application is to extend support to the websites as well as projects that involve web based application. Hence, it can well be mentioned that the default application of ASP.NET is to provide a good template for a starter project like Master Page that comes up with a standard template, an “About Us’ page, a ‘Login’ page, a ‘register’ page, a ‘Change Password’ page, etc.

ASP.Net - Powering Mobile Apps With Responsive Design

Each and every modern business, irrespective of whether it is of small, medium or large scale, would require a dedicated portal that is specifically designed to promote the products or service that the business delivers. Today, for any company, it is highly imperative that it does not stick to any static site for promoting its business.

Instead, they venture out over other avenues of marketing for effective promotion of product and services. In the era of Internet based technology and social media, it is a ‘must’ for every company to reach out to the modern tech savvy clients who very much expect businesses to offer the latest as well as the best portfolio online, in every possible way over every possible device that is compatible to an internet connection. Therefore, the need of the hour is to provide information over phones, tablets, as well as other devices which have higher resolution than the screens of the conventional PCs and laptops.

Now the question is – how that can be done? Before we get into the technical nitty-gritty of responsive web design and ASP.NET, let us at first know what responsive web design actually is. It is actually a specific type or concept of web design that can help the site to fit into any type of device irrespective of its screen size. For example, a web site that is responsive can be displayed on a PC as well as an iPhone in spite of the fact that the screen of the iPhone is much smaller than that of the PC. Yet, none of the contents of the website will be lost in either of the versions.

In other words, responsive web design is a series of mechanisms that will allow a particular web page to adapt to the capabilities of a client which may include a human as well as an electronic consumer.

RWD techniques respond to:

- The capabilities of browsers (HTML5, plugins, native audio and video, CSS3)
- Device capabilities (geo-location, input methods, resolution)
- User Capabilities (vision and hearing)
- Viewport (media type, orientation, resolution, density)

When it comes to responding to these techniques, ASP.NET is the answer. When a user requests a web server to carry out any task, the command passes along the information regarding the client who is making that request. ASP.NET, by using that information can make certain determination regarding the nature or the type of device that is being used to make the request. This web application framework comes up with a unique httpRequest.Browser.IsMobileDevice property, which helps it to detect the device and take actions accordingly.

The browser object also comes up with certain other properties - MobileDeviceManufacturer or MobileDeviceModel that help in detecting critical information regarding that device. ASP. NET is designed to provide certain additional properties that help it to detect specific details regarding a particular device. However, it does not have any complete list of all the standard properties that a device comes up with. However, the .NET community has come up with certain extremely useful projects that negate this shortcoming and help a website to accurately pick up any mobile device.

One of the projects, known as Wireless Universal Resource File (WURFL), is actually a database of various mobile devices. The database includes the name of the device, information about the user agent, the height as well as the width of the device screen, whether it is a mobile or tab. If it is a mobile, the mobile browser type and version it uses and so on. The database is regularly updated at short intervals. This makes ASP. NET one of the best ways to design and develop websites that are responsive.

Responsive web design has been here for quite a few years. With its popularity increasing by leaps and bounds, the concept is continually gathering steam from every quarter. Hence, careful evaluation backed by a clinical approach with the help of platforms like ASP.NET will further sharpen responsiveness of the sites.

You can hire developers from top .net application development companies in India who can help you build dynamic web portals within allocated budget and time schedules.

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How to use the new CORS support in Web API 2

Many exciting new features have been enabled in ASP.NET Web API 2. This framework enables easy building of HTTP services which will reach many clients across a broad spectrum including mobile devices as well as browsers. The addition of several features has idealized this platform.

Some of the most remarkable features are attribute routing(on top of convention-based routing), Open Web Interface for .NET or OWIN self hosting, Web API Odata, IhttpActionResult and the most significant is the Cross Origin Resource Sharing which has taken the cyber world by storm.

CORS is the short form of Cross-Origin Resource Sharing; this standard allows web pages the ability of making Ajax requests to other domains. Same-origin policy which has been implemented on browsers is relaxed; previously this policy limited calls to be just within same domain with cross-domain calls not being allowed. CORS defines the interaction of the browser along with server so that cross origin calls can be made. API supports this in its 2nd version and it is compliant with standards of W3C.

CORS is already supported by majority of modern browsers. But if we want to enable support for API services, first of all we will be needing a few assemblies to ensure that this is done smoothly. We will need System.Web.Cors.dll which is not dependent on System.Web.Http.dll or System.Web.dll and contains core CORS library; System.Web.Http.Cors.dll which contains CORS enabling library on Web API which is dependent on System.Web.Http.dll as well as System.Web.Cors.dll.

When upgrading and installing the package from nightly builds, the first thing that you have to do is create new API project by starting with new template.

Since you do not need Microsoft.AspNet.Mvc.FixedDisplayModes package, the second step is to uninstall it. In fact uninstalling this is necessary as you will be prevented from updating to recent nightly build.

The 3rd step is installing Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Cors package from nightly builds. Set the package source and it will enable you to see CORS package.

After that, the 4th step is to fix binding redirects that are there in web.config, otherwise there will be errors. which is existing must be replaced which will enable the smooth running of the applications.

After that you can try it out by browsing test clients available on some sites and making a fast cross-origin request. You will find Test APIs and all you have to do is click there and paste the URL on your API. Click “Send” and it will show request failed since CORS is not enabled on API by default. Now you have to enable CORS by calling config.EnableCors (new EnableCorsAttribute()). Now you have enabled CORS for all controllers and all origins will be allowed.

While we enable this a few scenarios should be considered. While enabling this, HttpConfiguration has a new method of extension added to it which will enable global support per action or per controller.

When calling EnableCors, global settings can be defined. For example we can enable the sharing globally which will allow all headers, origins and methods. EnableCorsAttribute has many settings which are easy to configure. The controller can be scoped with the support as well. You just have to call EnableCors without the provision of a global setting. Then the EnableCorsAttribute can be declared so that the controller is enabled with the support. It can also be enabled on single action in a similar manner.

An action or controller can be excluded from EnableCors as well simply by using DisableCors attribute. Custom IcorsPolicyProvider can be implemented as well so that policies or settings related to the support from other sources can be loaded dynamically.

One thing to remember when testing this with IE is that the port is not considered by IE as part of Security Identifer or the origin which is used for enforcement of Same Origin Policy. So test clients and Web API on different local hosts will hinder cross-origin requests.

You can hire asp.net developers from top .net application development companies in India who can help you build ASP.NET applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide .net application development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert .net web developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Difference betweeen WebForms and MVC – CodeProject

ASP.NET MVC and ASP.NET WebForms are the two existing essential development models that highly contribute to the technology enhancement of today's hi-tech era. Both these models have some pros as well as cons which will be discussed here in the light of comparison.

What are WebForms?

ASP.NET WebForms were first brought out by Microsoft from ASP. It solved a number of problems by creating abstraction of higher level over simulated stateful model and stateless web for web developers.

• WebForms introduce applications like self postback (post to same page form data) or ViewState (during postbacks maintain control values).
• The most interesting part lies in the fact it is not required to even a single line of code. With the emergence of Web Forms, Microsoft attempted to bring forth the Visual Basic model into web.

What is MVC?

For sometimes now the concept of MVC has been around after Microsoft introduced it. It is actually an architectural pattern and including Java it is also used by a number of developers. ASP.NET MVC is an important model required for web applications and this pattern is a solution to a context related problem. This application offers input logic, UI logic and business logic. It allows you to develop an application loosely coupled between each of such elements.

The main purpose of this pattern includes separation of concerns. It makes UI ignorant or presentation of user interaction and business logic. According to this pattern, system is divided as Model (M), View (V) and Controller (C).

• Model, considered as smart is meant to handle the logic or data as well as Business rules and will remain independent of the other MVC parts like Controller or View.
• In short, controller receives as well as dispatches the request while handling the user interaction or input logic. It knows everything about View or Model.
• A view is regarded as dumb and it is the output representation of a model data. It can be a web page or an excel sheet, showing just a simple text or list of records. View only knows about Model.

Difference between WebForms and MVC

Here are some of the very basic differences between these two major applications responsible for website development.

• WebForms use the page controller approach for the purpose of rendering a layout. Whereas, MVC offers a model which has no connection with the View, hence it becomes easier to maintain or test the applications.
• For all the pages, Web Forms use the front controller pattern in order to process the web application requests. It is also used to generate routing architecture. Where as, MVC has the View which is called before the controller that is used to provide the View, based on the action as there is interaction between user and the interface.
• Web Forms use the server based controls along with view state for managing the state of the model. MVC does not record state information unlike Web Forms.
• WebForms are basically event driven whereas, MVC is test driven.
• In case the development team is small, Webforms are mostly preferred for Rapid application development. MVC is best suited for larger project where more priority is given to testability or maintainability.
• It is easy to learn Webforms development in comparison to MVC development.

Irreplaceable depending on certain requirements

ASP.NET MVC or ASP.NET WebForms, each could be the best choice for any particular solution. Depending on the requisites of an application along with the background of the team professionals involved, both the technology can serve the best purpose for your business prospective. Hence, one application can never replace the other.

You can hire developers from top .net application development companies in India who can help you build ASP.NET applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide .net development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert asp.net developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

DotNet Development and the Reasons Why It Is Preferred by Many

DotNet framework is developed by Microsoft known for its services like memory management, security and exceptional handling. It is a revolutionary expertise which has been in line with the creation of dynamic applications which are mostly interactive and user-friendly. It is mostly preferred platform for creating robust applications targeting desktop, laptop, Smartphones and all kinds of tablet users.

Since its launch it has been used by developers across the globe catering various software needs of diverse domains and industries. It has given high end web application services and has gained fame by being the most wanted technologies in the world. DotNet is a combination of a number of technologies, tools as well as international coding standards. The evolution of web development is likely attributed to DotNet development which has generated marvelous interest in creating cloud-based solutions too.

There is strong competition in the field of technologies and furthermore the need to generate more enterprise online with expertise and know-how. To achieve this, optimal use of DotNet development services is of great importance. This newest web expertise has encapsulated huge allowance of information and critical facts and figures which include details about customers, operations, services and the like. It can interact well between newer and older applications. With its advanced design features and tools, it manages security requirements and is highly portable which means it can run on multiple platforms.

Reasons for DotNet development rules the web development world and is the most favorite among programmers:

1. Support for Several Programming Languages

DotNet has multi-lingual capabilities which help developers of diverse origins and allows the developer for language programming comfortably. So one can easily pick his favorite DotNet framework-supported-programming-language and make robust web applications that will run in a virtual environment.

2. Higher security levels

It is rather one of the best in security features because of its defense-in-depth security scheme. The security grade of the applications can be ascertained by the developers as needed for database security, particularly if the apps is accessed remotely. The main security model of the DotNet framework comprises of a few core components such as, the code access security, role based security, cryptography and the application domains.

• Code access security: If any resource is to be accessed, but the code does not provide the permission, the access to that particular resource would be denied. It focuses on the policy and permissions as evidence aspects defined by the evidence-based security. The Code access security aspect of the DotNet framework has recently been modified and updated, so that it could be used and understood in a simpler manner.

• Cryptography: Within the DotNet framework the cryptography consists of the digital signatures, random number generation, hashing and more, where the elements are easily accessible to the developers. This aids in providing a high amount of flexibility when the security components are combined together at various levels of security present.

• Role Based Security: This aims to connect the security aspect the groups and the users within the application. This is generally done through the authorization and authentication, where then the security access level (permission) of the user is known by determining their role.

• Application domains: The DotNet framework ensures to keep the portions of an application separate from one another, with the help of the application domains which proves to be very helpful in the entire process. Due to the verified managed code of the framework it, the CLR is capable of high isolation within the process itself, where each process can comprise of a different security level.

3. Large Number of Ready to Use Classes

The DotNet Framework class library is divided into two parts: the Base Class Library and the Framework Class Library, which is huge includes an expanded set of libraries, including Windows Forms, ADODotNet, ASPDotNet, Language Integrated Query, Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation etc. Many developers also love the DotNet framework to due to its large set of ready to use classes. The system classes can be used by any app that is developed on the platform. Further, Microsoft has developed the DotNet framework based on object oriented architecture. So each tag or code written by you will be treated as an object.

4. Supports data retrieval and recovery

DotNet possesses magnificent crash protection capability which helps in data recovery after a sudden crash effortlessly. It can detect any memory leak and can retrieve it back. These security measures make DotNet extremely reliable and secured to use.

5. Innovative Web Services

DotNet enables multiple functionalities in the websites making it marked as the most scalable and reliable platform, which fulfills all modern apps development requirements. It makes use of HTML, C#, and Javascript to create sophisticated as well dynamic websites. It has interoperability features and most demanding platform for web development.

6. Rapid development and wide coding standards

DotNet supports rapid application development and exhibits classic applications with the help of its powerful tools which are available in the IT market. This helps the developers avoid fresh new code and make use of existing code snippets and Windows application services. DotNet also supports various applications which are of immense advantage for the programmers.

Along with various other reasons, DotNet also manages to provide an excess of enhancements, modifications and customizations. Its features on various attributes which are akin to top quality and reliable solutions. It is profitable to hire offshore software providers who boast of amazing skill set and cost-effective services. This practice has worked wonders for many companies and continues to be beneficial for companies who opt for virtual developers adept in .net application development.

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