Classic ASP – Introduction – The Foundation of Dynamic Web Development
Introduction – What Is Classic ASP?
Classic ASP (Active Server Pages) is Microsoft’s original server-side scripting technology used to create dynamic, interactive web pages. Introduced in the late 1990s, Classic ASP allows you to embed VBScript or JScript directly into .asp files to process requests and generate HTML responses dynamically.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What Classic ASP is and how it works
- Its file structure, scripting languages, and execution model
- Basic syntax with real examples
- Why Classic ASP still matters in legacy systems
How Classic ASP Works
Classic ASP runs on Internet Information Services (IIS). When a browser requests an .asp page:
- IIS parses and executes any server-side code inside
<% %>blocks. - The output is rendered as pure HTML to the browser.
- No source code is visible to the client.
Classic ASP File Structure
| File Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
.asp | Main page containing HTML + server code |
.inc | Included files for reusable code |
.vbs, .js | Optional script files for code separation |
global.asa | Application-level events and variables |
Supported Languages
- VBScript (default and most common)
- JScript (Microsoft’s version of JavaScript)
You can define the language at the top of the .asp file:
<%@ Language="VBScript" %>
Basic Classic ASP Example (VBScript)
<%@ Language="VBScript" %>
<html>
<body>
<%
Dim name
name = "Vaibhav"
Response.Write "Hello, " & name & "!"
%>
</body>
</html>
Output:
Hello, Vaibhav!
Classic ASP – Key Server Objects
| Object | Description |
|---|---|
Request | Reads form data, query strings, cookies |
Response | Sends output to the client |
Session | Stores user-specific data across pages |
Application | Stores global data for all users |
Server | Utility functions (e.g., MapPath) |
Request Example
<%
Dim user
user = Request.QueryString("name")
Response.Write "User: " & user
%>
URL: page.asp?name=John
Output: User: John
Session Example
<%
Session("username") = "Admin"
Response.Write Session("username")
%>
Output: Admin
Classic ASP vs ASP.NET
| Feature | Classic ASP | ASP.NET |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | VBScript, JScript | C#, VB.NET, F# |
| Compilation | Interpreted | Compiled |
| Separation | Mixed HTML + logic | MVC pattern (optional) |
| Performance | Slower | Faster, scalable |
| Maintenance | Harder for large projects | Easier via separation of concerns |
Why Classic ASP Still Matters
- Still used in legacy enterprise systems
- Simple to learn and deploy
- Lightweight with no need for .NET runtime
- Supported on all versions of IIS (though limited on modern systems)
Summary – Recap & Next Steps
Classic ASP was a groundbreaking technology for building dynamic websites. While modern apps use ASP.NET, Classic ASP remains important for maintaining legacy systems and understanding the evolution of web development.
Key Takeaways:
- Classic ASP uses
.aspfiles with embedded VBScript or JScript - Server-side code is wrapped in
<% %>and rendered to HTML - You interact with server objects like
Request,Response, andSession
Real-world Use Cases:
- Maintaining internal portals on IIS
- Updating legacy CRM/HR apps
- Migrating old ASP sites to modern frameworks
FAQs – Classic ASP Introduction
Is Classic ASP still supported?
Yes, but only for backward compatibility. Microsoft recommends migrating to ASP.NET or .NET Core for new development.
Can Classic ASP run on Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2022?
Yes, via IIS with Classic ASP feature enabled under Windows Features.
Can I mix Classic ASP and ASP.NET?
You can host them side by side in the same IIS application, but they don’t share session state or runtime.
Share Now :
