Web Matrix Makes ASP.NET More Accessible

Web Matrix, a new development tool for creating Web applications and services that run on ASP.NET, is designed to be easier for the casual Web developer to use than Visual Studio.NET, Microsoft’s flagship development tool. Microsoft’s main goal with Web Matrix is to create a self-sustaining and supporting developer community around its ASP.NET Web server API, which is particularly important if the company is to regain the attention of developers who in recent years have been more attracted to competitors such as Linux, Apache, and Java. Developers considering Web Matrix should note that support is only available through the community Web site and not through Microsoft’s Product Support Services.

(For more a complete discussion of ASP.NET, see “ASP.NET Improves Development of Web Applications” on page 3 of the Jan. 2002 Update.)

Simplifies ASP.NET Development

Web Matrix, available now in a prerelease version, was designed to appeal to casual developers who are comfortable with HTML and some simple scripting. The new tool includes the core set of features necessary to build ASP.NET pages and customize those pages by writing code. Among these features are the following: