Our collection of our articles about Web platform technologies

Web platform technologies

Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Microsoft Access Web Apps
Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Microsoft Access Web Apps Friday, April 14, 2023
By: Jason Clarkson, Sales and customer Relations
Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Microsoft Access Web AppsMicrosoft Access has long been a popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses to create and manage their databases. With the rise of cloud computing and web-based applications, Microsoft has made it possible to access and use Access databases online. This article will explore the benefits and limitations of Microsoft Access Web Apps and discuss how to use them effectively.
MS Access Web App

A Microsoft Access Web App is an online database application that allows users to access and edit data from anywhere with an internet connection. These web apps are built using Access Services, which is a part of SharePoint, and can be created by anyone with a Microsoft 365 subscription. The web app can be accessed using any web browser, including Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.

One of the major benefits of using MS Access Web Apps is that it allows you to access your database from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This means that you can work on your database from home, while traveling, or even from a coffee shop. Moreover, you can also share your database with other users and give them permission to access and edit it, which can be helpful for collaborative work.

MS Access Web

Microsoft Access Web is a service that allows users to publish Access databases to the web. This service is useful when you want to make your database available to others but don't want to share the source code. By using Microsoft Access Web, you can create a web interface for your database that can be accessed by other users, regardless of whether they have Access installed on their computer or not.

Access Web App

Access Web App is an online database application that allows users to create, manage and share databases online. It is a part of the Office 365 suite and can be used to create web apps that are accessible from any web browser. Access Web App can be used to create simple web-based databases that can be accessed by other users.

Office Access Web Access

Office Access Web Access is a web-based version of Access that allows you to access your Access database from any web browser. It is useful when you want to access your database from a computer that does not have Access installed. Office Access Web Access provides a limited version of Access that includes basic features such as table design, data entry, and basic reporting.

Microsoft Access Web

Microsoft Access Web is a web-based version of Access that allows you to create and manage databases online. It is a part of the Microsoft 365 suite and can be accessed from any web browser. Microsoft Access Web is useful when you want to work on your database from a computer that does not have Access installed.

Microsoft Access Web App

Microsoft Access Web App is an online database application that allows you to create and manage databases online. It is a part of the Microsoft 365 suite and can be accessed from any web browser. Microsoft Access Web App is useful when you want to create web-based databases that can be accessed by other users.

MS Access Online Database

MS Access Online Database is a cloud-based version of Access that allows you to create and manage databases online. It is useful when you want to work on your database from anywhere with an internet connection. MS Access Online Database provides a limited version of Access that includes basic features such as table design, data entry, and basic reporting.

MS Access Online Use

MS Access Online Use is the process of using MS Access databases online. This can be done using Microsoft Access.

The difference between Classic ASP, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET Core
The difference between Classic ASP, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET Core Sunday, May 14, 2023
By: Tom Breen, Customer support and PM
The difference between Classic ASP, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET Core

Microsoft is responsible for developing the web development frameworks known as Classic ASP, ASP.NET, and ASP.NET Core. In spite of the fact that they have certain things in common, they are quite different from one another.

The server-side scripting environment known as Classic ASP (Active Server Pages) was first made available for use in the year 1996. When it comes to the creation of dynamic web pages, it was one of the earliest scripting languages that was employed. VBScript is the programming language that is used by default in Classic ASP. It is not an object-oriented programming language and is missing several features that are standard in today's computer languages. Microsoft will no longer provide formal support for Classic ASP going forward.

In 2002, ASP.NET was introduced as an improvement over its predecessor, Classic ASP. It is a framework for online development that provides developers with the ability to construct dynamic webpages, web applications, and web services. Multiple programming languages, such as C#, VB.NET, and F#, are supported by the ASP.NET platform. It makes use of the.NET Framework and gives developers access to the.NET library, making it possible for them to design applications with a high level of complexity. ASP.NET was also responsible for the dissemination of the idea of code-behind, which is characterized by the separation of the HTML markup and the code that creates the web page.

The most recent version of the ASP.NET framework is called ASP.NET Core. It is a framework that is open-source and compatible with several platforms that came out in the year 2016. ASP.NET Core has undergone a comprehensive overhaul and now has an architecture that is composed of modules. It does not use much memory, runs quickly, and is compatible with macOS, Linux, and Windows. C#, Visual Basic for.NET, F#, and JavaScript are just some of the programming languages that ASP.NET Core is compatible with. It is easy to deploy to the cloud since it has been built to be cloud-ready from the beginning.

ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core are two examples of contemporary web development frameworks, while Classic ASP is an obsolete technology that is no longer maintained by Microsoft. While ASP.NET is built on the.NET Framework and supports a variety of programming languages, ASP.NET Core is meant to run on numerous platforms, it is open-source, and it is optimized for use in the cloud.

Difference between the major Web programming languages
Difference between the major Web programming languages Sunday, May 14, 2023
By: Jeff Barley, Head of Development
Difference between the major Web programming languages

Each of the main web programming languages has its own strengths, weaknesses, and distinctive characteristics. Included among the most prevalent programming languages are PHP, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and ASP.NET. Here are some significant distinctions between these languages:

PHP: PHP is a widely used server-side scripting language for web development. It is open-source and free, making it a popular option among modest businesses and independent developers. PHP is renowned for its adaptability and platform compatibility.

Java: Java is an object-oriented programming language commonly used to develop enterprise-level applications and web services. It can be executed on any device with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is recognized for its scalability, dependability, and security.

JavaScript is a client-side scripting language used for the development of interactive web applications. It is supported by the majority of major web browsers and is simple to learn and use. JavaScript is widely recognized for its adaptability and compatibility with other web technologies.

Python: Python is a popular high-level programming language that is simple and readable. It is utilized for web application development, scientific computation, and data analysis. Python is renowned for its user-friendliness, rapid development, and robust community support.

Ruby is a high-level programming language commonly employed for web development. It is popular among small enterprises and individual developers due to its simplicity and usability. Ruby on Rails, a Ruby-based web application framework, is extensively used for the development of web applications.

Microsoft developed ASP.NET as a server-side web application framework. It is designed on top of the.NET framework and is extensively used for enterprise-level web application development. Scalability, security, and performance are hallmarks of ASP.NET.

Each of these languages has its own distinct characteristics and applications. The selection of language will hinge on the project's particular requirements and the preferences of the development team.

The development of database driven website from the beginning
The development of database driven website from the beginning Sunday, May 14, 2023
By: Jeff Barley, Head of Development
The development of database driven website from the beginning

Since the early days of the Internet, the evolution of database-driven websites has advanced significantly. Initially, websites were inert and offered limited functionality, but as databases became more accessible and potent, website designers began incorporating them into their layouts.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts were used to interact with databases and generate dynamic web content in the early 1990s. These scripts were manually coded in programming languages such as Perl, C, and Shell. As the web evolved, more user-friendly tools, such as PHP, ASP, and JSP, were created to facilitate the creation of dynamic web pages.

Content Management Systems (CMS) emerged in the late 1990s, enabling non-technical users to create and administer websites using pre-built templates and drag-and-drop interfaces. For database-driven websites, CMS platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal continue to be popular options.

Cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms have made web development more accessible to enterprises and individuals. Platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer website creation tools that do not require coding knowledge, enabling anyone to construct a website with a few keystrokes.

Modern web development frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Django, and Laravel equip developers with potent instruments for creating database-driven web applications. These frameworks abstract away a significant portion of the technical complexity, allowing developers to focus on implementing the features and functionality required by their users.

In conclusion, the evolution of database-driven websites has been substantial over the past three decades. From laborious coding with CGI scripts to user-friendly CMS platforms to the most up-to-date web development frameworks, developers now have a vast array of tools at their disposal for creating dynamic and engaging websites that meet the requirements of their users.

The advantages of using HTML5 in the frontend
The advantages of using HTML5 in the frontend Monday, May 15, 2023
By: Karen Fischer, Office Support and documentation
The advantages of using HTML5 in the frontend

HTML5 is the latest version of the Hypertext Markup Language used to create and design web pages. It was first introduced in 2014 and has since then gained widespread popularity in the web development community. HTML5 comes with many advantages that make it stand out from its predecessors, and these advantages have made it the go-to language for modern web development.

One of the biggest advantages of HTML5 is its improved semantic structure. With HTML5, developers can create clear and concise code that is easily understood by both humans and search engines. This improved structure makes it easier to add meaningful metadata to web pages, which in turn helps with search engine optimization (SEO).

HTML5 also comes with many new features that were not available in earlier versions of HTML. These features include the ability to embed multimedia content such as audio and video without the need for third-party plugins like Flash. This makes it easier to create engaging and interactive web pages that can be accessed on a variety of devices and platforms.

Another advantage of HTML5 is its improved support for mobile devices. With the rise of smartphones and tablets, it has become increasingly important for web pages to be optimized for mobile viewing. HTML5 comes with features like responsive design and mobile-friendly layouts that make it easier to create web pages that are optimized for mobile devices.

One of the most significant advantages of HTML5 is its improved performance. The code generated by HTML5 is cleaner and more efficient, which means that web pages load faster and use less bandwidth. This improved performance is essential in today's fast-paced digital world, where users demand instant access to information.

In conclusion, HTML5 is a powerful and versatile language that has revolutionized the way we create and design web pages. Its improved semantic structure, support for multimedia content, mobile-friendly features, and improved performance make it the perfect choice for modern web development. By using HTML5, developers can create web pages that are optimized for both search engines and users, resulting in a better overall web experience.

The advantages of using the Microsoft IIS server as a hosting platform
The advantages of using the Microsoft IIS server as a hosting platform Monday, May 15, 2023
By: Jeff Barley, Head of Development
The advantages of using the Microsoft IIS server as a hosting platform

Businesses and other organizations often use Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) to host their websites and other web-based applications. Using IIS as a hosting platform is a safe and dependable option because of its many useful features.

IIS's seamless compatibility with Microsoft's Windows platform is a major selling point. Since Microsoft is the company that created IIS, it is compatible with and complements other Microsoft products such as Windows Server and SQL Server. Because of this interoperability, IIS is extremely modifiable, allowing programmers to alter its operation and add new capabilities.

The dependability and efficiency of IIS are further benefits. The Internet Information Server (IIS) has a solid reputation as a reliable and powerful web server. Website speed and load times may both be enhanced by its sophisticated caching and compression capabilities.

In addition to being a secure hosting platform, IIS provides robust security measures. Windows authentication, forms-based authentication, and certificate-based authentication are just a few of the authentication and authorization mechanisms that are supported. Security features like SSL/TLS encryption and request filtering are built right in to help keep websites safe from intrusion.

In addition, IIS is supported by a sizable group of people who work on and use the platform regularly. Businesses and developers may take use of this community's plethora of resources, such as documentation, forums, and plugins, to make the most of IIS.

Overall, IIS is a compelling alternative for companies and organizations seeking a hosting platform for their websites and online applications due to its connection with the Windows operating system, stability and performance, security features, and vast community of support.

What is Microsoft SignalR and how you can use it
What is Microsoft SignalR and how you can use it Thursday, May 18, 2023
By: Lisa Maier, Accounting and Media
What is Microsoft SignalR and how you can use it

Real-time functionality may be added to web applications by developers using the real-time communication framework Microsoft SignalR. Real-time updates, alerts, and live data streaming are made possible by simplifying the process of establishing real-time, bi-directional communication between the server and the client.

WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, and Long Polling are examples of low-level communication protocols that are handled with sophistication by SignalR's high-level API. According to client and server capabilities, it automatically chooses the optimal transport method available to provide a smooth real-time experience across various browsers and devices.

Here are some of SignalR's main characteristics and usage cases:

Real-time updates are made possible by SignalR, enabling the server to immediately transfer data to connected clients. This is especially helpful for programs that need real-time alerts, live data syncing, chat programs, group editing, and multiplayer gaming.

Scalability: SignalR is designed to grow in accordance with your application's requirements. It allows you to create scalable and responsive apps that can manage a lot of simultaneous connections since it enables both server-to-client and client-to-server communication.

Support for several platforms and frameworks, including.NET, ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, JavaScript, and Xamarin, is provided by SignalR. This enables you to create real-time applications that can operate on a variety of hardware and software, including desktop software, mobile devices, and web browsers.

Connections that last: SignalR maintains a connection that lasts between the server and the client, allowing for quick and effective communication without the need for constant polling. Performance is enhanced and unwanted network traffic is decreased as a result.

Hub-based design: SignalR has a hub-based architecture where clients may specify ways to receive data from the server and the server exposes methods that can be called by clients. The development process is streamlined by this abstraction, which also makes managing real-time communication simpler.

You normally need to set up a SignalR hub on the server-side that specifies the methods available to clients if you want to utilize SignalR in your application. You connect to the server on the client side and specify how to process incoming data. SignalR handles connection management, transport negotiation, and data serialization for the communication between the server and the client.

All things considered, Microsoft SignalR is a potent tool for integrating real-time functionality into web applications, allowing developers to create dynamic and responsive apps that can send users live updates and alerts in real-time.

What is Microsoft Xamarin and how you can use it
What is Microsoft Xamarin and how you can use it Thursday, May 18, 2023
By: Karen Fischer, Office Support and documentation
What is Microsoft Xamarin and how you can use it

A cross-platform development framework from Microsoft called Xamarin enables programmers to create native mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows using a single codebase. To develop mobile applications with a native user experience and complete access to device-specific APIs and capabilities, Xamarin leverages the C# programming language and offers a collection of tools and frameworks.

Following are some of the main advantages and characteristics of utilizing Microsoft Xamarin:

Cross-platform development: Using Xamarin, developers can create code once and distribute it across a variety of platforms, thus lowering the amount of time and effort required for development. Utilizing a single codebase and Xamarin, you can create native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows.

Native user interfaces: Using Xamarin, you can design native user interfaces that mimic the style and functionality of platform-specific UI components. Xamarin.With the help of Forms' UI abstraction layer, you can create a single UI layout that is rendered in-house on any platform. Additionally, for fine-grained control and customization, Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android let you create platform-specific user interfaces (UIs).

Full access to device capabilities: Xamarin gives you access to each platform's native APIs and functionalities, enabling you to make use of features like the camera, GPS, accelerometer, and more. You may take use of the extensive ecosystem of third-party components and plugins and effortlessly interface with platform-specific libraries.

Sharing of code: By using Xamarin, you can exchange networking, business logic, and data access code across several platforms, cutting down on duplication of effort and upkeep costs. Data models, services, and other elements that can be utilized by multiple platforms may be included in the same codebase while yet allowing for platform-specific UI and functionality.

Integration with Visual Studio: Xamarin strongly interacts with Microsoft Visual Studio, offering a comfortable and effective environment for developing mobile apps. Advanced testing, profiling, and debugging capabilities are included in Visual Studio, along with collaboration and version control system support.

Xamarin.: Xamarin; forms.A UI toolkit called Forms enables you to provide a single UI layout using XAML or code, and it draws the UI components natively on each platform automatically. This enables the quick construction of cross-platform user interfaces while yet preserving the option to adapt and improve for each platform as necessary.

Xamarin Test Cloud: Xamarin Test Cloud, currently called App Center Test, is a cloud-based service that enables you to test your Xamarin apps on a variety of actual devices to guarantee quality and compatibility across various platforms and device setups.

Installing the Xamarin development tools, SDKs, and Visual Studio with Xamarin workload is often the first step in using Xamarin. From there, you can make a new Xamarin project, utilize C# and the Xamarin APIs to write code, construct the user interface, and test your program on virtual or actual hardware. You may target certain platforms using Xamarin, use platform-specific APIs, and adjust the UI as necessary for each platform.

All things considered, Xamarin is a strong framework for creating cross-platform mobile apps with native functionality and performance. As a result of its robust development environment, wide range of platform compatibility, and ability to share code, it is an effective option for creating mobile applications that run on several platforms.

Advantages of a web application
Advantages of a web application Tuesday, February 21, 2023
By: Jim Barry, Software Devleopment
Advantages of a web application

Web applications have several advantages over traditional desktop applications, including:

  • Accessibility: Web applications can be accessed from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection, making them more accessible than desktop applications.
  • Platform independence: Web applications can run on any device with a web browser, regardless of the operating system, making them more platform-independent than desktop applications.
  • Easy maintenance and updates: Web applications can be updated and maintained centrally, without the need for users to download and install updates on their devices.
  • Scalability: Web applications can be easily scaled to accommodate a growing number of users, making them more scalable than desktop applications.
  • Cost-effective: Web applications require less hardware and software resources than desktop applications, making them more cost-effective to develop and deploy.
  • Collaboration: Web applications are ideal for collaboration among users, allowing multiple users to work together on the same project in real-time.
  • Analytics and data tracking: Web applications provide developers with the ability to track user behavior and gather data, which can be used to improve the application and provide better user experiences.

Overall, web applications offer a number of advantages over traditional desktop applications, particularly in terms of accessibility, platform independence, and cost-effectiveness.

About asp.net
About asp.net Monday, February 20, 2023
By: John Smith, CEO
About asp.net

ASP.NET is a web application framework developed by Microsoft that allows developers to build dynamic web applications and services. It is part of the larger .NET framework, which provides a platform for developing a wide range of applications, including desktop, mobile, and web applications.

ASP.NET allows developers to use a variety of programming languages, including C#, Visual Basic, and F#, to create web applications that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux servers. It also provides a range of features and tools that make it easy to develop and deploy web applications, such as built-in authentication and authorization, caching, and support for various data sources.

One of the key features of ASP.NET is its Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, which separates the application into three main components: the model, which represents the data and business logic; the view, which defines how the data is presented to the user; and the controller, which handles user input and communicates with the model and view. This architecture makes it easier to develop and maintain complex web applications.

ASP.NET also includes the Web Forms framework, which provides a more traditional approach to web development, allowing developers to create web pages using drag-and-drop tools and server-side controls.

Overall, ASP.NET is a powerful and versatile web application framework that provides developers with the tools and features they need to create dynamic, scalable, and secure web applications.

What is a web App
What is a web App Thursday, February 23, 2023
By: Karen Fischer, Office Support and documentation
What is a web App

A web app, or web application, is a software application that is accessed through a web browser or a web-based interface. Unlike traditional desktop applications, web apps do not need to be installed on a user's device, but can be accessed via a network or the internet.

Web apps can be developed for a variety of purposes, including e-commerce, social networking, content management, and productivity tools. They typically involve a client-server architecture, where the client is the web browser, and the server provides the data and application logic.

Web apps are designed to be platform-independent, meaning that they can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and a compatible browser. They also offer benefits such as ease of deployment, automatic updates, and the ability to leverage cloud computing resources.

Overall, web apps are an increasingly popular way to deliver software applications to users, due to their accessibility, ease of use, and low cost of development and maintenance.

What is asp.net webforms
What is asp.net webforms Thursday, February 23, 2023
By: Lisa Maier, Accounting and Media
What is asp.net webforms

ASP.NET Web Forms is a web application framework developed by Microsoft that allows developers to create dynamic web pages by building server-side applications using a rich set of controls, server controls, and user controls.

ASP.NET Web Forms is designed to abstract away many of the complexities of building web applications, allowing developers to focus on building functionality and features rather than worrying about the low-level details of HTTP requests, state management, and other aspects of web development.

The framework supports the use of various programming languages such as C# and VB.NET, and it provides a comprehensive set of tools for building complex web applications with features like data binding, validation, authentication, and authorization. ASP.NET Web Forms also supports the use of Master Pages, which allow developers to create a consistent look and feel across an entire website.

Overall, ASP.NET Web Forms is a powerful web application framework that can help developers build dynamic, feature-rich websites quickly and easily.

What is browser cross platform compatibility
What is browser cross platform compatibility Thursday, February 23, 2023
By: Karen Fischer, Office Support and documentation
What is browser cross platform compatibility

Browser cross-platform compatibility refers to the ability of a web application or website to work properly across multiple web browsers and operating systems (OS).

Different web browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, have their own rendering engines and display web content differently. Additionally, web content can behave differently on different operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Ensuring browser cross-platform compatibility requires web developers to design and test their applications or websites on different browsers and operating systems to ensure that they work properly on all platforms. This may involve using web standards and best practices, writing code that works consistently across different browsers, and using tools and techniques to test for compatibility.

Cross-platform compatibility is important because users can access web content from a variety of devices and platforms, and they expect the content to work properly regardless of the browser or OS they are using. Failing to ensure cross-platform compatibility can result in a poor user experience, lost customers, and lost revenue.

Why is JavaScript used in frontend Web Applications
Why is JavaScript used in frontend Web Applications Tuesday, February 28, 2023
By: Jason Clarkson, Sales and customer Relations
Why is JavaScript used in frontend Web Applications

JavaScript is used in frontend web applications for several reasons:

  • Interactivity: JavaScript allows web developers to create interactive user interfaces that respond to user input. With JavaScript, web applications can perform actions such as responding to clicks, displaying pop-up dialogs, and updating content on the page without requiring a full page refresh.
  • Dynamic content: JavaScript allows web developers to dynamically update and modify the content on a web page based on user interactions and other factors. This makes it possible to create dynamic and responsive web applications that provide a more engaging user experience.
  • Cross-platform compatibility: JavaScript is a widely used programming language that is supported by all major web browsers, making it an ideal choice for developing web applications that work across multiple platforms and devices.
  • Client-side processing: By running code on the client-side (i.e., in the user's web browser), JavaScript can offload some of the processing and rendering tasks from the server, which can help improve the performance and scalability of web applications.
  • Third-party libraries and frameworks: There are many third-party JavaScript libraries and frameworks available that can help simplify and speed up the development of web applications. Examples include jQuery, React, Angular, and Vue.js.

Overall, JavaScript is a versatile and powerful programming language that plays a critical role in the development of modern frontend web applications.