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Winforms and WebForms

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Bit byte

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Jul 13, 2006, 12:19:05 PM7/13/06
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Can I use C# (Winforms) to design a website?. I am from C/C++ background
but know nothing about Internet programming.

My understanding of WebForms are that they are similar to WinForms in
that they give a WYSIWYG environment for designing user interfaces -
however, all searches I have done on WebForms display the actual HTML,
not a WYSIWYG environment.

My questions (finally) then are.

1). Can I design a web user interface using C#?
2). Do I use WinForms or WebForms ?
3). Is a web interface/application developed by C# capable of running on
any browser on any OS ?
4). Can I use Apache as my Webserver when developing my web application
(links or tips will be very helpful)


Siva M

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Jul 13, 2006, 12:32:40 PM7/13/06
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1. You use combination of HTML, DHTML and CSS to "design" the web user
interface. C# is used for the server-side programming of those interfaces.
For example, you use C# to tell what should happen on the server-side (&
possibly respond back) when an user clicks on a button (say Search button)
on the web interface.

2. Use WebForms. WinForms are for developing Windows applications

3. Since browsers are only bothered about the markup (HTML/DHTML) and any
associated style info (in CSS), it doesn't matter what language is used on
the server-side. Of course you need a Windows-based server (or Win XP Pro)
to use ASP.NET/C#. ASP.NET is a framework, part of .NET, used to develop
WebForms-based apps.

4. You can use Apache, but it doesn't support WebForms/C#.

Take a look at www.asp.net. It has tons of info on ASP.NET. For basics of
HTML/DHTML/CSS, there are thousands of tutorials. A simple googling would
help. Take a look at http://www.w3schools.com/ for HTML/DHTML and other web
basics.

All the Best.

"Bit byte" <fl...@flop.com> wrote in message
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Peter Bromberg [C# MVP]

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Jul 13, 2006, 12:34:02 PM7/13/06
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Bit Byte,
Windows Forms and Web Forms share a similar event-based programming model,
but that is where the similarity ends. See inline for other answers:


> 1). Can I design a web user interface using C#?

Yes, you would use ASP.NET Web Project type with C# as the language.

> 2). Do I use WinForms or WebForms ?

You would use WebForms. WebForms is a name for an ASPX web page. The IDE
provides a Design View similar to that of the Windows Form.

> 3). Is a web interface/application developed by C# capable of running on
> any browser on any OS ?

Yes.

> 4). Can I use Apache as my Webserver when developing my web application
> (links or tips will be very helpful)

No, unless you use MONO and the correct mod to handle ASP.NET for Apache.

Hope that helps,
Peter

Bit byte

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Jul 13, 2006, 1:43:21 PM7/13/06
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Hi Peter that certainly helps.

I am thinking of using and mod_mono (OT here I know), but atleast you
have confirmed that I am not mad for even considering it. Just to be
clear (this is what I think you're saying). I can develop a Web front
end (i.e. an ASP.Net application) using C#, and then run the ASP.net
application in an Apache server (using mod_mono) - Is that correct ?

Lastly, a lot of my server side logic already resides in PHP scripts. Is
there ANY way I can call the php scripts from C# (I can't think ehy not0
afterall, they're just "Urls" ending in "*.php". But I'd just like a
second opinion on this.

Peter Bromberg [C# MVP]

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Jul 13, 2006, 1:54:02 PM7/13/06
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Bit Byte,
Regarding mod_mono, you are right on target. Regarding the PHP scripts,
Microsoft has a free download that will help you convert PHP to ASP.NET.
Peter

--
Co-founder, Eggheadcafe.com developer portal:
http://www.eggheadcafe.com
UnBlog:
http://petesbloggerama.blogspot.com

KJ

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Jul 13, 2006, 2:31:31 PM7/13/06
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