Chapter 1: Installing and Exploring Web Matrix

Overview

So, you want to be a web developer eh? You want to write great looking Internet applications, but don't want to learn lots of arcane programming stuff? I can't say I blame you – most programming these days is far more complex than it needs to be. However, this doesn't have to be the case, so don't think it's beyond you – we're going to show you something that'll get you creating great applications in no time at all.

When Microsoft released ASP.NET in early 2002, Web development got much easier. The trouble was that it was still too hard for many people. Why? The breadth of what ASP.NET was able to do left some people floundering. Many developers who were used to an older way of creating dynamic web applications were overwhelmed by the scale of ASP.NET. But the problem wasn't with the new features; it was more a case of understanding how to make these new features work, both conceptually, and in practice. The development tool that Microsoft supply is designed for large-scale web application development, and such it is quite complex. It's also expensive – and both of these factors put many people off.

The solution to this particular problem is an easy-to-use tool, at the right price. That's where the Microsoft ASP.NET Web Matrix Project comes in. In this book we're going to teach you how to create great web applications using the easiest, and cheapest of tools. In this chapter we're going to look at:

• How and why Web Matrix came to life

• How to install the Microsoft .NET Framework, and associated products

• How to install the Microsoft Web Matrix development tool

• How to use the features available in Web Matrix

As we go through the book you'll see how easy web development can be when using the right tool.