Q: Hi Richard. I would like to learn ASP. I have Access and Frontpage, but I'm using Windows XP home operating system. Is it still possible to create ASP pages and test them on my computer, or do I need Windows Server? >James
A: James, good question. I get asked this all the time.
Windows XP Home doesn't come with Internet Information Services or Personal Web Server, which you need to "process" your ASP scripts. You'd need XP Pro or a Windows Server. That's the OFFICIAL word from Microsoft.
It's actually a little funny because Windows 2000 and even Windows 98 came with Personal Web Server which was a little mini server program designed for you to test scripts and web pages on your PC. Guess what... Microsoft decided NOT to include PWS in Windows XP Home. Figures.
Unofficially, there are a bunch of hacks you can TRY on your machine... but I don't recommend any of them (I've never tried any of them myself). If you Google "run asp on windows xp home" you'll find a couple of them - I just read over a few myself. They usually involve downloading "stuff" to get it to work. Be careful. In fact, one guy gives instructions for copying over the IIS files from an old Windows 2000 CD (if you have one) to get that to work. Again, caveat emptor.
The good news is that you can get ASP-supported web hosting DIRT CHEAP now days. I have my primary main web server (which is a dedicated box) that I use for 599CD.com and all of my important web sites. However, I also have an account with another cheap Web Hosting company for all of my "less important" stuff and for sandbox testing.
So... to answer your question, YES, it's possible with some hacks to get ASP working on Windows XP Home, but I wouldn't recommend it.