Currently, many ASP.NET 1.x applications run on Microsoft IIS 5.0. ASP.NET 2.0 leverages new IIS 6.0 features for improved performance and scalability. Specifically, IIS 6.0 provides a new process model which greatly enhances the ability of a server to host multiple applications in a truly independent fashion. Each ASP.NET application resides in its own isolated process and cannot accidentally interact with other applications. Quite simply put, applications can no longer break each other. Each application runs completely separated from every other application. If one application crashes, it doesn't affect other applications.

In terms of usability, new features such as master pages and themes allow you to develop large Web applications using a consistent structure that is manageable and configurable.

ASP.NET 2.0 includes wizards and controls that allow you to perform frequent tasks (e.g. data access) without having to write a single line of code. Visual Studio 2005 includes designers to layout and configure complex pages with data bound tables. As a developer, you can use the wizards to work faster and smarter.

ASP.NET 2.0 also leverages changes in the .NET Framework. In particular, the partial class concept is particularly useful for ASP.NET developers. A partial class lets you write part of the code and lets the ASP.NET compiler write the rest when necessary. You no longer have to see boilerplate code, nor do you have to write any of it.

ASP.NET 2.0 includes built-in controls to help you manage user accounts and personalize the content and layout of pages in your application. First, the membership service lets you track users. The new login controls integrate with the membership service to allow you to automate account creation and user login without writing any code. The new Web Parts feature allows you to create Web applications that contain controls that can be edited and personalized by users. Users can select and customize the parts that are displayed on a Web page as they see fit. Finally, the Profile service provides long-term persistence of user preferences and data through declarative XML configuration.

ASP.NET 2.0 supports master pages, themes and skins to build applications with a consistent page layout and design. These new features are easy to implement and modify, and greatly enhance the manageability and maintainability of large applications.

Many of the new features in ASP.NET 2.0 are aimed specifically at addressing these goals. Throughout the rest of the paper, we will look at individual technologies and see how ASP.NET 2.0 builds on ASP.NET 1.x to provide a powerful Web application development platform.