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Video ZIP File (30 MB)
Skills Test Quiz - Under Construction
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Intro

In lesson ASP202 you will learn how to write text files to your server, create a username and password log-on form that reads from a text file, work with the global ASA file for session and application variables, and add basic error handling to your ASP pages. I will also show you how to send email from your website using Microsoft ASP, which is useful for order confirmations and other notifications.

Transcript

Welcome to ASP202, brought to you by ASPLearningZone.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

In today's lesson, we will be learning how to write text files on our server and our webs. We will learn how to use a username and password log-on form, reading in a text file with username and password combinations.

We will learn about the global ASA file, which is a special file that lets us specify session and application variable start-up values. We will learn some basic error handling so that we can have our pages deal with errors that might pop up, so our users on our website do not just see an error in their face. You can actually gracefully handle what happens when an error occurs.

Finally, we will cover the most requested topic so far: sending email from your websites using ASP. This is especially handy if your user goes to your website and buys something, as you can email them a confirmation of their order right from your webpage.

Prerequisites: I strongly recommend you take at least ASP201 before this class, as well as my basic courses ASP101 through 104 before taking this one.

I will be using standard ASP 3.0 with a Windows 2000 server in this class. I will also be using FrontPage 2003 as my webpage editor; however, you may use any webpage editor of your choice.

If you have any questions about today's class, please be sure to post them in the Student Forums located on the website.

If you are watching this lesson online or in our Amocrine video player while you are connected to the internet, you should see the Student Forums window pop up to the right of your video. If not, go to the website and follow the links to the Student Forums.

Quiz

Q1. What is the main purpose of the lesson in ASP202?
A. Writing text files and handling user log-on with usernames and passwords
B. Learning advanced database integration with SQL Server
C. Designing web pages with CSS and HTML
D. Creating mobile-responsive web layouts

Q2. How does the lesson handle user authentication?
A. By using a text file containing username and password combinations
B. By connecting to a remote authentication server
C. By manually checking user emails
D. By integrating with OAuth providers

Q3. What is the global ASA file used for in ASP?
A. Specifying session and application variable start-up values
B. Storing HTML templates for the website
C. Managing CSS files
D. Backing up the website database

Q4. Why is basic error handling important in ASP web applications?
A. To gracefully handle errors and avoid showing users generic error messages
B. To prevent the server from starting
C. To speed up page load times
D. To improve the website's appearance

Q5. What is a key feature taught regarding communication with users?
A. Sending email from your website using ASP
B. Chatting with users in real-time
C. Sending SMS from a mobile device
D. Creating printable invoices

Q6. Which software does the instructor use as the web page editor in this course?
A. FrontPage 2003
B. Dreamweaver CC
C. Visual Studio Code
D. Notepad

Q7. What is strongly recommended before taking ASP202?
A. Completing ASP201 and ASP101 through ASP104
B. Learning JavaScript frameworks
C. Being familiar with Photoshop
D. Prior experience with Linux servers

Q8. Where can students post questions about the class?
A. In the Student Forums on the website
B. By emailing the instructor directly
C. By calling technical support
D. In the comments section of YouTube

Q9. What version of ASP is used in the class?
A. ASP 3.0
B. ASP.NET Core
C. ASP.NET MVC
D. Classic ASP 1.0

Answers: 1-A; 2-A; 3-A; 4-A; 5-A; 6-A; 7-A; 8-A; 9-A

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from ASP Learning Zone covers some essential techniques for anyone looking to advance their skills in ASP web development. In this lesson, I will demonstrate how you can write text files directly on your server as well as on your website. We will set up a simple log-on form using usernames and passwords, and read in these combinations from a text file for verification.

Next, I will introduce you to the global ASA file. This special file allows you to define startup values for session and application variables, an important part of managing user sessions and application state. We will also address basic error handling, so you can gracefully deal with issues that arise rather than showing default error messages to your site visitors.

A major topic for today is sending email from your website using ASP, which has been the most requested feature so far. This functionality is very useful, for example, in situations where a user makes a purchase on your website and you want to send them an order confirmation by email directly from your site.

To get the most out of this lesson, I strongly recommend completing ASP201 beforehand, and having a solid foundation in my introductory ASP101 through 104 classes as well.

For this course, I am using standard ASP 3.0 on a Windows 2000 server. My preferred web editor is FrontPage 2003, though you are free to use any editor that suits your needs.

If you have questions about any material covered in the class, please make sure to participate in the Student Forums available on the website.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

Writing text files on the server using ASP
Creating a username and password log-on form
Reading a text file with user credentials
Using the global ASA file for initialization
Setting session and application variable startup values
Implementing basic error handling in ASP
Gracefully handling page errors for users
Sending email from websites with ASP